Aorto-mitral curtain reconstruction in invasive double-valve endocarditis: mid-term outcomes.

Background: Invasive double-valve endocarditis with structural damage (abscess or perforation) of the aorto-mitral curtain is a relatively rare but fatal diagnosis requiring complex surgical reconstruction. This study presents the short-term and mid-term outcomes from a single center.

Methods: From 2014 to 2021, 20 patients with double-valve endocarditis with structural damage of the aorto-mitral curtain underwent surgical reconstruction (Hemi-Commando procedure  = 16 and Commando procedure  = 4).

Robot-assisted vs. conventional MIDCAB: A propensity-matched analysis.

Background: Robotic assistance (RA) in the harvesting of internal thoracic artery during minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting (MIDCAB) provides several potential benefits for surgeon and patient in comparison with conventional MIDCAB. The two technical options have not been thoroughly compared in the literature yet. We aimed to perform this in our cohort with the use of propensity-score matching (PSM).

Perspective in predicting the effect of pleurodesis in the treatment of malignant pleural effusions.

Background: Pleurodesis with talc has been used for many years. No objective criteria of inflammatory symptoms are known in order to use them to predict the effect of therapy and selection of patients.

Purpose Of The Study: To objectify the course of local inflammatory changes in the pleural cavity, quantify their dynamics in a clinically used procedure, and to determine specific predictors of inflammation as perspective markers of selection of patients suitable for talcage.

New biomarkers in the selection of patients for talcage of pleural cavity in the palliative therapy of malign pleural exudate.

Background: Chemical pleurodesis using videothoracoscopically applied powdered talc under general anaesthesia and selective pulmonary ventilation is the most effective method of palliative therapy for malign pleural exudate. Talc produces an intense systemic inflammatory reaction with the development of aseptic pleurisy. The result is obliteration of the pleural cavity provided there is an intense inflammatory reaction in the pleural cavity and good contact of both pleural leaves.

Cardiac sarcoidosis.

Cardiac sarcoidosis is a rare entity and may be difficult to diagnose prior to cardiac surgery. We review the imaging and diagnostic studies necessary to make the diagnosis and discuss therapeutic algorithms to manage this disease.