Ventricular Arrhythmias in Left Ventricular Assist Device Patients-Current Diagnostic and Therapeutic Considerations.

Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) are used in the treatment of advanced left ventricular heart failure. LVAD can serve as a bridge to orthotopic heart transplantation or as a destination therapy in cases where orthotopic heart transplantation is contraindicated. Ventricular arrhythmias are frequently observed in patients with LVAD.

Literature-based considerations regarding organizing and performing cardiac surgery against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic.

Background: The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic presents challenges for surgeons of all disciplines, including cardiologists. The volume of cardiac surgery cases has to comply with the mandatory constraints of healthcare capacities. The treatment of Covid-19-positive patients must also be considered.

The role of cardiac computed tomography in the diagnosis of prosthetic valve endocarditis - A comparison with transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography and intra-operative findings.

Background: Infective endocarditis is one of the most severe complications after prosthetic valve implantation and an accurate diagnosis is a clinical challenge. The purpose was to assess the diagnostic usefulness of cardiac computed tomography (CT) in valvular and perivalvular complications in patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) and to compare CT results with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and intraoperative findings.

Methods: The retrospective study included 44 consecutive patients with PVE who underwent cardiac surgery.

Results of open heart surgery in Jehovah's Witness patients. Single centre experience.

Aim: Evaluation the results in patients from the religious community of Jehovah's Witness (JW) undergoing open heart surgery at our institution.

Material And Methods: Between September 2011 and March 2015, 21 patients with a religious background of the JW church underwent open heart surgery at our institution performed by the same surgical team. Mean age was 68.

Extended myectomy in the treatment of patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.

Introduction: Partial resection of the septal muscle is a well-established and effective method of surgical treatment for patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). The procedure is characterized by a low operative mortality rate and long-term clinical improvement that has been confirmed in numerous publications. Mitral insufficiency in patients with HOCM is mostly functional due to the effect of systolic anterior motion (SAM).