Left Ventricular Re-training: Feasibility and Effectiveness-What Are the Limits?

The concept of 're-training' the morphologic left ventricle (mLV) is based on the crude principle of applying a fixed afterload by means of pulmonary artery banding. The complex physiological, molecular and structural responses to banding are poorly understood, and complicated by the fact that re-training is undertaken in a variety of different morphological settings and age-groups. This article reviews the evidence for re-training in different situations with particular focus on the age at banding and on the best ways to assess suitability for subsequent repair.

Incidental abnormal CT scan findings during transcatheter aortic valve implantation assessment: incidence and implications.

Objectives: The aim of this retrospective series is to describe the prevalence and clinical significance of the incidental findings found during pre-transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) work-up and to ascertain the clinical course of such patients.

Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing TAVI from 2013 to 2015 where a TAVI CT assessment was performed (n=138) were included in the study. All incidental findings that were not expected from the patient's history were discussed at the TAVI multidisciplinary meeting in order to ascertain the clinical significance of said findings and whether they would alter the proposed course of treatment.

The key questions in rehabilitation in thoracic surgery.

Enhancing the recovery of patients undergoing Thoracic Surgery is the raison d'être of a pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) process. Benefits of a PR program have been shown to include reduced postoperative complications, hospital length of stay (LOS) and improved exercise and lung function parameters. Identifying which groups of patients benefit most and the constituency of the perfect PR program is subject to ongoing research.