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.

Troponin T and Survival following Cardiac Surgery in Patients Supported with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Post-Cardiotomy Shock.

Background: While troponin is an established biomarker of cardiac injury, its prognostic significance in post-cardiotomy cardiogenic shock patients supported by venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (PCCS-VA-ECMO) remains unclear.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the correlation between early post-operative troponin T levels and both short-term and long-term mortality outcomes in this cohort.

Methods: We evaluated 1457 troponin T measurements from 102 PCCS-VA-ECMO patients treated from 2013 to 2018 at a specialized cardio-surgical and transplantation center.

ARTERIAL HYPEROXIA AND MORTALITY IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING VENOARTERIAL EXTRACORPOREAL MEMBRANE OXYGENATION.

Background: Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) can easily lead to supranormal oxygenation. The impact of hyperoxygenation beyond the early VA-ECMO support phase is unexplored. We sought to investigate its association with short- and long-term mortality.

Current applications and outcomes of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation based on 6 years of experience: risk factors for in‑hospital mortality.

Introduction: Data regarding venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) as a temporary circulatory support in cardiogenic shock (CS) for Central Europe are scarce.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to disclose indications, in-hospital, and long-term (1-year) mortality along with risk factors.

Patients And Methods: The study is a retrospective investigation of patients who underwent VA ECMO for CS at a cardiosurgical tertiary center, from January 2013 to June 2018.

Prevalence and management of driveline infections in mechanical circulatory support - a single center analysis.

Background: Driveline infections in continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (cf-LVAD) remain the most common adverse event. This single-center retrospective study investigated the risk factors, prevalence and management of driveline infections.

Methods: Patients treated after cf-LVAD implantation from December 2014 to January 2020 were enrolled.

Intra-operative fluorescein videoangiography-related nephrotoxicity in intracranial aneurysm surgery: Single center, observational cohort study.

Objectives: Intra-operative fluorescein video angiography (FL-VA) has been given increasing attention recently and several studies reported its high utility in neurovascular surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of FL-VA in a prospective, single-center cohort of patients operated due to cerebral aneurysms.

Patients And Methods: This is an observational cohort study including 150 patients operated due to intracranial aneurysms.

Predictors of Intraoperative Aneurysm Rupture, Aneurysm Remnant, and Brain Ischemia following Microsurgical Clipping of Intracranial Aneurysms: Single-Center, Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background And Study Aims:  Complete microsurgical clip occlusion of an aneurysm is one of the most important challenges in cerebrovascular surgery. Incorrect position of clip blades as well as intraoperative aneurysm rupture can expose the patient to serious complications such as rebleeding in case of aneurysm remnant and cerebral ischemia in case of occlusion of branching arteries or perforators. The aim of this study was to identify independent predictors of surgery-derived complications (aneurysm remnant and brain ischemia) as well as intraoperative aneurysm rupture in an institutional series of patients.

Predicting conservative treatment failure in patients with lumbar disc herniation. Single center, case-control study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify independent predictors of conservative treatment failure in patients presenting due to lumbar disc herniation-associated low back pain and sciatica.

Patients And Methods: This is a single institution, case-control study including 240 patients that were selected for microsurgical or conservative treatment due to lumbar disc herniation in a 2,5-year period. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed in order to identify independent predictors among demographic, clinical and radiographic factors.

Intraoperative fluorescein video angiography in intracranial aneurysm surgery: single-center, observational cohort study.

The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of postoperative, surgery-related complications in patients where fluorescein video angiography (FL-VA) was performed with those operated without intraoperative verification. This is an observational cohort study including 97 patients who were selected for microsurgical clipping due to intracranial aneurysm. First 52 patients enrolled in the study were operated prior to introduction of fluorescein fluorescence in our surgical workflow.

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.

Pulsatile-flow mechanical circulatory support (MCS) as a bridge to transplantation or recovery. Single-centre experience with the POLCAS system in 2014.

Introduction: Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is a recognised method of treatment for patients with end-stage chronic or acute heart failure. The POLCAS pulsatile-flow system has been used in our institution for 15 years. Currently, it is being widely replaced by continuous-flow mechanical circulatory support equipment of the second and third generations (HeartMateII, HeartWare).