Value of CT signs and measurements as a predictor of pulmonary hypertension and mortality in symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis.

To assess the value of computed tomography (CT) for non-invasive detection of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and to correlate CT measurements and signs with mortality after TAVI. 257 TAVI patients (median 84 years; 134 females) with both right heart catheterisation (RHC) and CT within 3 days were retrospectively analyzed. According to guidelines PH was defined as mean pulmonary artery pressure ≥25 mmHg in RHC.

Frailty Assessed by the FORECAST Is a Valid Tool to Predict Short-Term Outcome After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Objective: The term frailty is frequently used during decision-making in transcatheter heart valve procedures. Nevertheless, frailty is still measured by eyeballing rather than by using standardized frailty assessments. In a previous study, we developed a frailty score in a cardiac surgical patient population including patients, who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

A translational "humanised" porcine model for transcatheter mitral valve interventions: the neo inferior vena cava approach.

Aims: Preclinical studies and translational animal models are fundamental for the development of new clinical interventions. Compared to human anatomy, pigs present a more anterior heart position in the chest which may jeopardise the imaging and testing of devices designed to be delivered to the human mitral valve. To imitate human anatomy, we developed a novel model to "humanise" a pig heart.

Successful first-in-man Melody transcatheter valve implant in a dehisced mitral annuloplasty ring transapical valve-in-ring implant.

Aims: A "valve-in-ring" (ViR) procedure involves the transcatheter implant of a valved stent in a prosthetic mitral ring. The presence of a partial dehiscence of the prosthetic ring is a major contraindication for a ViR due to inefficacious sealing. We describe an alternative method of ViR implant to achieve proper valve sealing in the case of ring dehiscence.

Mid-Term Outcomes of Minimally Invasive Direct Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Background: Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting (MIDCAB) has gained wide acceptance for the treatment of single vessel disease of the left anterior descending artery (LAD). Here, we present our single center experience of 152 consecutive patients.

Materials And Methods: All patients underwent MIDCAB through a left anterior minithoracotomy between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2012.

Repair rate and durability of video assisted minimally invasive mitral valve surgery.

Background: Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) through a right lateral thoracotomy has emerged as another option in cardiac surgery. We present our single center experience with regards to repair rate and durability of the repair in patients undergoing MIMVS.

Methods: Between January 2009 and December 2012 a total of 312 consecutive patients underwent MIMVS.

Does body mass index impact the early outcome of surgical revascularization? A comparison between off-pump and on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of body mass index (BMI) on early outcomes after revascularization using either on-pump or off-pump surgery.

Methods: Data for 3714 of 4314 patients who underwent surgical revascularization at our institution between 1999 and 2008 were analysed. Patients were divided into two groups [off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB); n = 1958 and on-pump coronary artery bypass (ONCAB); n = 1756] and further assigned into five classes according to their BMI (underweight <20 kg/m(2), normal 20-24.