Application of a rotating bioreactor consisting of low-cost and ready-to-use medical disposables for in vitro evaluation of the endothelialization efficiency of small-caliber vascular prostheses.

The incomplete endothelialization of especially small-caliber vascular prostheses after implantation in patients is a major disadvantage in cardiovascular interventions. The lack of an endothelium leads to the occurrence of thrombosis at the luminal surface of artificial vascular prostheses. Thus, the development of new graft materials and coatings for induction of complete endothelialization on the implant surfaces is a promising approach to improve hemocompatibility and maintain long-term graft patency.

The preoperative management of a patient with a large aneurysm of the sinus of valsalva and takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

We report a case of a 43-year-old woman, who presented with thoracic interscapular pain at a peripheral hospital. In addition, the patient reported retrosternal pain, which had occurred only hours before-after an upsetting telephone call. The CT imaging ruled out an aortic dissection but revealed a huge sinus valsalva aneurysm (SVA) while the laboratory parameters showed slightly elevated troponin T value.

Current concepts of the interventional treatment of proximal supraaortic vessel stenosis.

Interventional therapies using angioplasty and stenting of symptomatic stenosis of the proximal supraaortic vessels have evolved as safe and effective treatment strategies. The aim of this paper is to summarize the current treatment concepts for stenosis in the subclavian and brachiocephalic artery with regard to clinical indication, interventional technique including selection of the appropriate vascular approach and type of stent, angiographic and clinical short-term and long-term results and follow-up. The role of hybrid interventions for tandem stenoses of the carotid bifurcation and brachiocephalic artery is analysed.