Computed tomography-based anatomical suitability of an Endo-Bentall prosthesis for ascending aortic aneurysms.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the suitability of a coronary-branched ascending aortic endograft, paired with aortic valve (AV) prosthesis (Endo-Bentall), for the endovascular repair of ascending aortic aneurysms.

Methods: Preoperative ≤1 mm computed tomography angiographies of consecutive patients managed with Bentall procedure or ascending aortic replacement and AV reconstruction/replacement, in a single institution (from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2023), were retrospectively analyzed. Dedicate software was used to assess (1) vascular access, (2) proximal landing zone, (3) coronary artery anatomy, and (4) distal landing.

Late diagnosis of Marfan syndrome is associated with unplanned aortic surgery and cardiovascular death.

Background: Marfan syndrome (MFS) guidelines recommend optimal pharmacologic therapy (OPT) and replacement of the ascending aorta (RAA) at 5.0 cm in diameter to prevent acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) and death. The effect of early MFS diagnosis and initiation of therapy on outcomes is not known.

Association of HbA1c and utilization of internal mammary arteries with wound infections in CABG.

Background: Deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) remains a serious complication after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We herein aimed to stratify diabetic patients who underwent CABG using bilateral internal mammary artery (BIMA) for levels of glycated hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) and compare postoperative outcomes.

Methods: Between January 2010 and August 2020, 4,186 consecutive patients underwent isolated CABG at our center.

Risk factors for long-term mortality after acute aortic dissection-results of the German registry for acute aortic dissection type a long-term follow-up.

Objectives: Several short-term analyses from German Registry for Acute Aortic Dissection Type A (GERAADA) have been published. This study investigated whether short-term risk factors are transferable to the long-term prognosis of patients.

Methods: Thirty-three centres with 2686 patients participated in the long-term follow-up.

Analysing debranching techniques in Frozen Elephant Trunk procedures: a narrative literature review.

Background And Objective: Since 2003, the Frozen Elephant Trunk (FET) technique has attained rising popularity for treating extensive aortic arch pathologies such as acute and chronic aortic dissection, as well as thoracic aortic aneurysm. Conventionally, the FET procedure included a complete resection of the aortic arch and, subsequently, a distal aortic anastomosis of the prosthetic part of the hybrid graft in arch zone 3. Simultaneous to the introduction of the FET technique, the traditional Elephant Trunk technique was simplified by adding debranching techniques which allows for proximalization of the distal aortic anastomosis.

First in Human Implantation of the Thoracoflo Graft: A New Hybrid Device for Thoraco-Abdominal Aortic Repair.

Introduction: Despite a high rate of success when performed in specialised centres, current techniques for thoraco-abdominal aortic repair are associated with serious complications. The problem of spinal cord ischaemia remains unsolved.

Surgical Technique: The new hybrid graft for thoraco-abdominal aortic repair was developed based on the frozen elephant trunk principle.

The impact of a standardized Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol in patients undergoing minimally invasive heart valve surgery.

Background: An enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol is a multimodal and multi-professional strategy aiming to accelerate postoperative convalescence. Pre-, intra- and postoperative measures might furthermore reduce postoperative complications and hospital length of stay (LOS) in a cost-effective way. We hypothesized that our unique ERAS protocol leads to shorter stays on the intensive care unit (ICU) and a quicker discharge without compromising patient safety.

Pre-surgery optimization of patients' expectations to improve outcome in heart surgery: Study protocol of the randomized controlled multi-center PSY-HEART-II trial.

The PSY-HEART-I trial indicated that a brief expectation-focused intervention prior to heart surgery improves disability and quality of life 6 months after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). However, to investigate the clinical utility of such an intervention, a large multi-center trial is needed to generalize the results and their implications for the health care system. The PSY-HEART-II study aims to examine whether a preoperative psychological intervention targeting patients' expectations (EXPECT) can improve outcomes 6 months after CABG (with or without heart valve replacement).

Risk factors for impaired neurological outcome after thoracic aortic surgery.

Background: We aimed to identify risk factors for an impaired postoperative neurological outcome after thoracic aortic surgery.

Methods: Data from all patients undergoing thoracic aortic surgery between 2010 and 2020 at our institution were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for permanent postoperative neurological deficit (ND) (stroke), which was defined as a ND lasting at least seven days.

Treatment of the aortic root in acute aortic dissection type A: insights from the German Registry for Acute Aortic Dissection Type A.

Objectives: Surgery of the aortic root in acute aortic dissection type A (AADA) remains a topic of vague evidence since the extend of dissection and surgeons' capability and interpretation of the disease vary remarkably. We aimed to interpret root operation strategies in the German Registry for Acute Aortic Dissection cohort.

Methods: German Registry for Acute Aortic Dissection collected the data of 56 centres between July 2006 and June 2015.

Treatment of the Aortic Root in Acute Aortic Dissection Type A: Insights from the German Registry for Acute Aortic Dissection Type A (GERAADA) Registry.

Objectives: Surgery of the aortic root in acute aortic dissection type A (AADA) remains a topic of vague evidence since the extend of dissection and surgeons' capability and interpretation of the disease vary remarkably. We aimed to interpret root operation strategies in the German Registry for Acute Aortic Dissection (GERAADA) cohort.

Patients And Methods: GERAADA collected the data of 56 centers between July 2006 and June 2015.

Modified use of a 4-branched frozen elephant trunk prosthesis for treatment of a right-sided aortic arch aneurysm with an aberrant left subclavian artery.

Right aortic arch aneurysm originating from a Kommerell's diverticulum associated with an aberrant left subclavian artery is a rare congenital entity. We report a case of an asymptomatic 60-year-old female with right aortic arch aneurysm with an aberrant left subclavian artery, treated with a modified frozen elephant trunk technique using a 4-branched prosthesis, with the perfusion branch as an extra-anatomical bypass to the aberrant left subclavian artery. This case demonstrates short-term safety and efficacy of this technique.

Outcome of the frozen elephant trunk procedure as a redo operation.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to determine the outcome of patients undergoing an elective frozen elephant trunk (FET) procedure as a redo operation following previous cardiac surgery.

Methods: One hundred and eighteen consecutive patients underwent FET procedures between October 2010 and October 2019 at our centre. Patients were registered in a dedicated database and analysed retrospectively.

Case-matched Comparison of Cardiovascular Outcome in Loeys-Dietz Syndrome versus Marfan Syndrome.

Pathogenic variants in , and genes cause Loeys-Dietz syndrome, and pathogenic variants in cause Marfan syndrome. Despite their similar phenotypes, both syndromes may have different cardiovascular outcomes. Three expert centers performed a case-matched comparison of cardiovascular outcomes.

Simplified frozen elephant trunk technique for combined open and endovascular treatment of extensive aortic diseases.

Objectives: This study aims to analyse the impact of a simplified frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique on early outcome.

Methods: Between October 2010 and August 2018, 92 consecutive patients (mean age 64.4 ± 12.

Single-center experience with an inner branched arch endograft.

Objective: Whereas open repair is the "gold standard" for most aortic arch diseases, a subgroup of patients might benefit from an endovascular approach. The introduction of branched stent grafts with dedicated design to address the challenges of the ascending aorta and the aortic arch has opened an entirely new area of treatment for these patients. We investigated the early outcomes of branched thoracic endovascular aortic repair (b-TEVAR) in various types of disease of the aortic arch.

Warfarin anticoagulation in acute type A aortic dissection survivors (WATAS).

Background: Early survivors of acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) remain at risk for late death and late aortic events. However, the frequency and long-term effects of warfarin anticoagulation on long-term outcome in post-surgical AAAD survivors have not been elucidated.

Methods: Two tertiary care centers performed a retrospective observational cohort study of warfarin anticoagulation in AAAD in 243 persons with early survival of surgical repair (WATAS).

Minimally invasive endoscopic surgery versus catheter-based device occlusion for atrial septal defects in adults: reconsideration of the standard of care.

Objectives: Percutaneous ostium secundum atrial septal defect (ASD II) closure has become the standard of care for treatment of congenital ASD II in adults. Nevertheless, patients are frequently ineligible for this technique due to challenging morphology. In such cases, closure via minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) is an appropriate treatment option.

Long-term follow-up after autologous skeletal myoblast transplantation in ischaemic heart disease.

Objectives: Short-term follow-up after autologous skeletal myoblasts (ASM) transplantation (Tx) (Myoblast Autologous Grafting in Ischaemic Cardiomyopathy (MAGIC) Phase II Study) for the treatment of ischaemic cardiomyopathy revealed improved left ventricular (LV) remodelling. Our study reports the longest long-term worldwide follow-up of a single-centre cohort, focusing on the safety and efficacy of ASM-Tx.

Methods: The multicentre MAGIC Phase II Study involved 120 patients and was conducted between 2004 and 2006.

Use of initial biventricular mechanical support in a case of postinfarction ventricular septal rupture as a bridge to surgery.

The incidence of postinfarction ventricular septal rupture is declining as coronary revascularization techniques have become available for a large number of patients. However, morbidity and mortality rates associated with this complication remain high. We report the case of a patient suffering from acute myocardial infarction who developed a postinfarction ventricular septal defect.