Patient Selection for Surgery vs. Surveillance in Moderately Dilated Ascending Aorta: Insights from Titan:SvS, an International Prospective Trial.

Background: Guidelines for treating ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (ATAA) are largely based on single-center studies. To understand factors influencing patient selection for surgery versus surveillance, patient and aneurysm characteristics were compared for subjects in the randomized and registry arms of a large prospective, multi-center, multi-national trial.

Methods: TITAN: SvS (Treatment in Thoracic Aortic aNeurysm: Surgery versus Surveillance) is the largest prospective multi-center study of patients with ATAA between 5.

Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Using Third-Generation Balloon-Expandable Versus Self-Expanding Valves: A Meta-analysis.

Background: The choice of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) prosthesis is crucial in optimizing short- and long-term outcomes. The objective of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis comparing outcomes of third-generation balloon-expandable valves (BEV) vs self-expanding valves (SEV).

Methods: Electronic databases were searched from inception to June 2023 for studies comparing third-generation BEV vs SEV.

Hematocrit and Renal Failure in Aortic Arch Surgery: A Society of Thoracic Surgeons Database Study.

Background: This study examined the association between cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) hematocrit and postoperative acute renal failure (ARF) in patients undergoing aortic arch surgery with hypothermic circulatory arrest.

Methods: The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database was queried from 2011 to 2019 for patients undergoing aortic arch surgery with hypothermic circulatory arrest. A multivariable logistic regression model estimated the adjusted odds of postoperative ARF on the basis of CPB hematocrit.

A novel hybrid prosthesis for open repair of acute DeBakey type I dissection with malperfusion: Early results from the PERSEVERE trial.

Background: Outcomes after hemiarch repair for acute DeBakey type I aortic dissection (ADTI) remain unfavorable, with high rates of major adverse events and negative aortic remodeling. The PERSEVERE study evaluates the safety and effectiveness of the AMDS Hybrid prosthesis, a novel bare metal stent, in patients presenting with preoperative malperfusion.

Methods: PERSEVERE is a prospective single-arm investigational study conducted at 26 sites in the United States.

Impact of nondiameter aortic indices on surgical eligibility: Results from the Treatment in Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm: Surgery Versus Surveillance (TITAN: SvS) randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: Traditional criterion for intervention on an asymptomatic ascending aortic aneurysm has been a maximal aortic diameter of 5.5 cm or more. The 2022 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association aortic guidelines adopted cross-sectional aortic area/height ratio, aortic size index, and aortic height index as alternate parameters for surgical intervention.

A Pilot Study Using Machine-learning Algorithms and Wearable Technology for the Early Detection of Postoperative Complications After Cardiothoracic Surgery.

Objective: To evaluate whether a machine-learning algorithm (ie, the "NightSignal" algorithm) can be used for the detection of postoperative complications before symptom onset after cardiothoracic surgery.

Background: Methods that enable the early detection of postoperative complications after cardiothoracic surgery are needed.

Methods: This was a prospective observational cohort study conducted from July 2021 to February 2023 at a single academic tertiary care hospital.

Assessment of endometrial carcinoma on biopsy as a predictor of final surgical pathology: Are we doing it right? A completed audit cycle and recommendations.

Background: Typing and grading of endometrial carcinomas (ECs) on small biopsy specimens is crucial to determine the need for full surgical staging. Histological subtype and grade are key factors available for risk stratification before surgery. However, this can be diagnostically challenging on small biopsy specimens, especially when morphologic features are subtle or overlapping.

Infectious Aortitis of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm From .

A 71-year-old male presented with 1-day history of back pain. Imaging displayed an enlarging thoracic aortic aneurysm with gas in the aortic wall. Blood cultures grew .

Acute type A aortic dissection in adolescents and young adults under 30 years of age: demographics, aetiology and postoperative outcomes of 139 cases.

Objectives: The prevalence and aetiology of acute aortic dissection type A (AADA) in patients ≤30 years is unknown. The aims of this clinical study were to determine the prevalence and potential aetiology of AADA in surgically treated patients ≤30 years and to evaluate the respective postoperative outcomes in this selective group of patients in a large multicentre study.

Methods: Retrospective data collection was performed at 16 participating international aortic institutions.

Transesophageal Echocardiography Guidance for Percutaneous Closure of Ascending Aortic Pseudoaneurysm.

• Percutaneous closure of ascending aortic pseudoaneurysms is feasible in selected patients. • Procedural planning with multimodality imaging and multidisciplinary discussion is key. • TEE can be instrumental for intraprocedural guidance.

Survival after operative repair of acute type A aortic dissection varies according to the presence and type of preoperative malperfusion.

Objective: Approximately one-quarter of patients with acute type A aortic dissection (TAAD) present with concomitant malperfusion of coronary arteries, mesenteric circulation, lower extremities, kidneys, brain, and/or coma. It is generally accepted that TAAD patients who present with malperfusion experience higher mortality rates than patients without, although how specific malperfusion syndromes, alone or in combination, affect mortality is not well described.

Methods: The International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection database was queried for patients who underwent surgical repair of TAAD.

Role of advanced imaging techniques in cardiac surgery: Aortic dissection.

Background: Collaboration among cardiac surgeons and radiologists is essential to fully leverage advanced imaging technologies and improve the care of cardiac surgery patients. In this review, a cardiac surgeon and cardiovascular radiologist discuss imaging pearls and considerations in aortic dissection cases.

Methods: The surgeon and the radiologist discuss imaging considerations in two aortic dissection cases.

Control System Development and Implementation of a CNC Laser Engraver for Environmental Use with Remote Imaging.

This article is aimed at studying the features of the control systems development for a small-sized Computer Numerical Control (CNC) portative laser engraver. The CNC is implemented in mobile maintenance and repair platforms for remote sensing of the environment where the wild environment may not allow us to access the animals and places. The proposed work in this paper is based on recent research, which shows that applying the automated CNC speeds up the processes of repair, modernizes the equipment size, and significantly reduces the economic costs; accordingly, the authors developed a block diagram of a portable CNC laser engraver.

Differences in Aortic Intramural Hematoma Contrast Attenuation on Multi-Phase CTA Predict Long-Term Aortic Morphologic Change.

Background: Evolution of aortic intramural hematoma (IMH) over time may range from resolution to degeneration and is difficult to predict. We sought to measure differences in contrast attenuation between arterial and delayed phase computed tomography angiography (CTA) images within the IMH as a surrogate of hematoma blood flow to predict resolution versus aortic growth and/or adverse outcomes.

Methods: IMH institutional data were gathered from 2005-2020.

Patient- and Process-Related Contributors to the Underuse of Aortic Valve Replacement and Subsequent Mortality in Ambulatory Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis.

Background Many patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and an indication for aortic valve replacement (AVR) do not undergo treatment. The reasons for this have not been well studied in the transcatheter AVR era. We sought to determine how patient- and process-specific factors affected AVR use in patients with severe AS.

Diagnosis and Management of Infective Endocarditis in People Who Inject Drugs: JACC State-of-the-Art Review.

The incidence of injection drug use-associated infective endocarditis has been increasing rapidly over the last decade. Patients with drug use-associated infective endocarditis present an increasingly common clinical challenge with poor long-term outcomes and high reinfection and readmission rates. Their care raises issues unique to this population, including antibiotic selection and administration, indications for and ethical issues surrounding surgical intervention, and importantly management of the underlying substance use disorder to minimize the risk of reinfection.

Electronic User Authentication Key for Access to HMI/SCADA via Unsecured Internet Networks.

This paper discusses the development of new hardware and software for protecting access to HMI/SCADA systems via Unprotected Internet Networks (UPN), mainly when working remotely with confidential information. Based on the analysis carried out, it is shown that the existing vulnerabilities can be exploited by cybercriminals to steal passwords and user authentication logins. Modern protection technologies based on the OTP method have been investigated.

Pericardial-Esophageal Fistula: A Rare but Increasing Complication of Cardiac Ablation.

Pericardial-esophageal fistula and/or atrial-esophageal fistula after cardiac ablation is nearly universally fatal if not detected and treated expeditiously. This condition should be assumed and ruled out in anyone with a recent history of cardiac ablation presenting with signs of sepsis, pneumomediastinum, pneumopericardium, or chest pain. Computed tomography scan of the chest is a rapid and a sensitive diagnostic modality.

Creation of a Multidisciplinary Drug Use Endocarditis Treatment (DUET) Team: Initial Patient Characteristics, Outcomes, and Future Directions.

Background: Consensus guidelines recommend multidisciplinary models to manage infective endocarditis, yet often do not address the unique challenges of treating people with drug use-associated infective endocarditis (DUA-IE). Our center is among the first to convene a Drug Use Endocarditis Treatment (DUET) team composed of specialists from Infectious Disease, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cardiology, and Addiction Medicine.

Methods: The objective of this study was to describe the demographics, infectious characteristics, and clinical outcomes of the first cohort of patients cared for by the DUET team.