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.

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.

Economic impact of enhanced recovery after surgery protocol in minimally invasive cardiac surgery.

Background: ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) is a multidisciplinary and integrative approach with the goal of optimizing the postoperative recovery. We aimed to analyze the economic impact of a newly established ERAS protocol in minimally invasive heart valve surgery at our institution.

Methods: ERAS protocol was implemented in 61 consecutive patients who were referred for elective minimally-invasive aortic or mitral valve surgery, between February 1, 2018 and March 31, 2019 (ERAS-group).

Are Sutureless Aortic Valves Suitable for Severe High-Risk Patients Suffering from Active Infective Aortic Valve Endocarditis?

BACKGROUND Sutureless aortic valves were introduced to facilitate minimally invasive aortic valve surgery. Since sutureless aortic valves are a feasible procedure, we evaluated if any benefits could be identified in severe high-risk patients with active infective endocarditis of the aortic valve. MATERIAL AND METHODS Between April 2014 and April 2015, a total of 42 patients received a sutureless Perceval® aortic valve (Sorin Biomedica Cardio Srl, Saluggia, Italy) for different indications.

Initial Experience with Aortic Valve Replacement via a Minimally Invasive Approach: A Comparison of Stented, Stentless and Sutureless Valves.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to compare the short-term outcomes of MIS-AVR among 3 different types of biological heart valves. MATERIAL AND METHODS Complete data were obtained from 79 patients who underwent MIS-AVR between January 2010 and June 2015. Patients were divided into 3 groups: 27 patients (group A) received Medtronic 3f® (Medtronic Inc.

A Perceval Valve in Active Infective Bioprosthetic Valve Endocarditis: Case Report.

The case is presented of a 72-year-old male patient suffering from active infective aortic prosthetic endocarditis two months after emergency surgery with aortic valve implantation, and who underwent aortic arch reconstruction using a Dacron patch, due to the spontaneous post-procedural migration of a transcatheter-implanted aortic valve. The heart team considered transcatheter valve implantation (TAVI) due to the increased operative risk demonstrated by a EuroSCORE II of 10.9%, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (GOLD 3), cirrhosis (Child-B), esophageal varicose stage 2, chronic renal failure stage 3, and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.