Staphylococcal driveline infections are the predominant type of left ventricular assist device associated infections in Singapore.

Background: Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) associated infections (LVADIs) have substantial morbidity and mortality. We aim to describe the incidence and epidemiology of LVADIs in an Asian cohort. This is currently not well studied.

Regulation of Blood Pressure by Targeting Ca1.2-Galectin-1 Protein Interaction.

Background: L-type Ca1.2 channels play crucial roles in the regulation of blood pressure. Galectin-1 (Gal-1) has been reported to bind to the I-II loop of Ca1.

Percutaneous Decommissioning of Left Ventricular Assist Device.

Background: The left ventricular assist device (LVAD) has revolutionised our treatment of advanced stage heart failure, giving debilitated patients a new lease on life. A small proportion of these LVAD patients can be bridged-to-recovery. The identification of these patients and decision to wean, however, can be challenging.

The safe volume threshold for chest drain removal following pulmonary resection.

A best evidence topic in thoracic surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was 'In patients undergoing pulmonary resection, is there a safe drainage volume threshold for chest drain removal?' Altogether 1054 papers were found, of which 5 papers represented the best evidence. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated.

Therapeutic Hypothermia May Improve Neurological Outcomes in Extracorporeal Life Support for Adult Cardiac Arrest.

Background: Limited data exists on patients receiving therapeutic hypothermia during extracorporeal life support (ECLS). We investigated outcomes and prognostic factors in these patients.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted for 225 consecutive adult patients treated with ECLS between July 2003 and January 2016.

Aberrant Splicing Promotes Proteasomal Degradation of L-type Ca1.2 Calcium Channels by Competitive Binding for Caβ Subunits in Cardiac Hypertrophy.

Decreased expression and activity of Ca1.2 calcium channels has been reported in pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown.

Percutaneous transcatheter aortic valve implantation for degenerated surgical bioprostheses: the first case series in Asia with one-year follow-up.

Introduction: Percutaneous transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become an established therapy for inoperable and high-surgical-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis. Although TAVI in patients with degenerated surgical aortic bioprostheses (i.e.

Alternative splicing generates a novel truncated Cav1.2 channel in neonatal rat heart.

L-type Cav1.2 Ca(2+) channel undergoes extensive alternative splicing, generating functionally different channels. Alternatively spliced Cav1.

Minimal-access left ventricular assist device implantation.

Objective: The left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is typically implanted through a full sternotomy on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) modifications include multiple smaller incisions, using "virgin" territory, and minimized CPB time.

Methods: Forty-two LVAD implantations were retrospectively reviewed.

Surgical risk algorithm as a measure of successful adoption of transapical transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Objective: This study was performed to assess the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score as a measure of successful adoption of transapical transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Methods: The STS score for estimated surgical mortality was calculated and used to select the first 140 consecutive patients undergoing transapical TAVI. The STS score also was used to estimate postoperative morbidity.

Minimal-access left ventricular assist device explantation.

Patients on left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support can be successfully bridged to recovery. A novel explantation technique is reviewed. Six HeartMate II patients were successfully explanted off-pump through a combination of a left anterior minithoracotomy and a subxiphoid incision.

Transapical transcatheter aortic valve-in-valve implantation: clinical and hemodynamic outcomes beyond 2 years.

Objective: The feasibility of transapical valve-in-valve aortic valve implantation into a failed aortic surgical bioprosthesis has been confirmed. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the clinical and hemodynamic outcomes more than 2 years after transapical valve-in-valve aortic valve implantation.

Methods: From April 2007 to May 2010, 8 consecutive patients underwent transapical valve-in-valve aortic valve implantation of either 23- or 26-mm Edwards-SAPIEN balloon-expandable bioprostheses into failed surgical tissue valves (21- to 25-mm valves).

Transatrial transcatheter tricuspid valve-in-valve technique.

A novel approach to reoperative tricuspid valve replacement using the transcatheter valve-in-valve concept is studied. Three consecutive transapica transcatheter tricuspid Sapien balloon-expandable valve-in-valve cases, including the first-in-man case, are described. The technical lessons learnt and the clinical outcomes are elaborated.

Transapical transcatheter aortic valve implantation in the presence of a mitral prosthesis.

Objectives: We review our experience with transapical transcatheter aortic valve implantation (AVI) in patients with functioning mitral prostheses, and describe the technical considerations.

Background: Transcatheter AVI for aortic stenosis in patients with mitral prostheses is technically challenging.

Methods: Ten patients (7 mechanical and 3 bioprosthetic mitral valves) received the Edwards SAPIEN balloon-expandable valve (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, California) during 2006 to 2010.

Continuous absorbable suture technique for tracheobronchial sleeve resections.

From January 2000, we changed from the traditional interrupted suture technique for tracheobronchial sleeve resections to a continuous suture technique with absorbable suture. This retrospective study reviewed our experience in the first 50 consecutive patients operated on between January 2000 and August 2006. The median age was 61 years (range, 30 to 80 years).

Local suture annuloplasty for posterior mitral valve repair: 18-year experience.

We retrospectively reviewed 128 consecutive patients who underwent quadrangular resection of a prolapsed posterior mitral leaflet and local suture annuloplasty. The median age was 68.1 ± 10.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement: where will we be in 5 years?

Purpose Of Review: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has developed in less than 2 decades to be a viable procedure, carving out a niche position in our armamentarium to treat high-risk patients with aortic valve disease. Rapid advances are occurring in prosthesis design, catheter delivery system, imaging, and the hybrid operating room.

Recent Findings: The PARTNER (Placement of AoRTic traNscathetER valve) randomized trial, cohort B confirms the superiority of the transfemoral TAVI compared with standard medical therapy with regard to overall survival and cardiac functional status.

Mild to moderate aortic stenosis and coronary bypass surgery.

Background: Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common valvular disease in adult cardiac surgery and its incidence continues to rise. Increasingly older patients are being referred for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with mild to moderate AS. Concomitant aortic valve replacement (AVR) for patients with moderate or severe AS undergoing CABG is warranted regardless of symptoms.

Absence of calcium channel alpha1C-subunit mutation in human atrial fibrillation.

L-type voltage-gated calcium channel mutation or phenotypical variation resulting from alternative splicing has been associated with sudden arrhythmogenic death and heart failure. Changes in calcium current density, protein and mRNA expression have been associated with atrial fibrillation. We studied human atrium harvested from 16 cardiac surgery patients (coronary bypass and/or valve procedures) for mutation of Ca(v)1.