Early clinical and hemodynamic outcomes of balloon-expandable versus self-expanding transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients with large aortic annulus: a study-level meta-analysis.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare early clinical and hemodynamic outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients with severe aortic stenosis and large aortic annulus using either balloon-expandable valves (BEVs) or self-expanding valves (SEVs).

Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was conducted through September 10, 2023, to perform a meta-analysis comparing the clinical outcomes of BEV versus SEV for large aortic annulus (annulus perimeter ≥ 80 mm).

Results: Seven studies (one propensity-matched study and six observational studies) met our eligibility criteria, including a total of 2167 patients (BEV, 1521; SEV, 646).

Improved Hemodynamics With Self-Expanding Compared to Balloon-Expandable Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Small Annulus Patients: A Propensity-Matched Analysis.

Patients with small aortic annuli (SAA) pose a challenge in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement because of the potential for prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM). This study aimed to compare the clinical and hemodynamic outcomes of self-expandable valve (SEV) versus balloon-expandable valve (BEV) transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in patients with severe aortic stenosis and SAA. All patients who underwent TAVI for severe native aortic stenosis with a SAA between January 2018 and December 2022 were retrospectively included in the study from a single center.

Direct aortic cannulation versus femoral arterial cannulation for early outcomes in acute type A aortic dissection: A study-level meta-analysis.

Purpose: To investigate the impact of direct aortic cannulation (DAC) versus femoral arterial cannulation (FAC) on clinical outcomes of surgery for acute type A aortic dissection.

Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched until August 25, 2023, to conduct a meta-analysis. Primary endpoints of the study were operative mortality and postoperative stroke.

Clinical and Echocardiographic Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair for Functional vs Degenerative Mitral Valve Regurgitation.

To analyze clinical and echocardiographic outcomes after transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) with mitral valve clip device (MitraClip-TM) for functional vs degenerative mitral valve regurgitation (MR). All consecutive 185 patients undergoing TEER between January 2019 and March 2023 were included in the study. A propensity-adjusted analysis investigated differences among functional vs degenerative MR mechanism groups.

Opening the "Black Box" for Canadian Cardiac Surgery Residency Applicants∗.

Background: This study reports on the main criteria used by Canadian cardiac surgery residency program committees (RPCs) to select applicants and the perceptions of Canadian medical students interested in cardiac surgery.

Methods: A 50-question online survey was sent to all 12 Canadian cardiac surgery RPCs. A similar 52-question online survey targeted at Canadian medical students interested in applying to cardiac surgery residency programs was distributed.

Postoperative Nosocomial COVID-19 Infection in Cardiac Surgery: An Uncommon Event With High Mortality Rate.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on cardiac surgery patients. Significant reductions in access to surgical treatment have forced surgeons to prioritise patients and follow strict COVID-19 protocols to protect surgeons, staff, and patients. Adult cardiac surgery and the COVID-19 pandemic: aggressive infection mitigation strategies are necessary in the operating room and surgical recovery.

Does adding an aortic root replacement or sinus repair during arch repair increase postoperative mortality? Evidence from the Canadian Thoracic Aortic Collaborative.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the addition of an aortic root replacement or sinus repair on mortality and morbidity during aortic arch repair.

Methods: A total of 2472 patients underwent proximal or total aortic arch repair with hypothermic circulatory arrest between 2002 and 2018 at 12 centres. Multivariable logistic regressions (MV) and propensity score (PS) with inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) analyses were performed.

Early results of a modified biological valved conduit for the Bentall procedure.

Introduction: Few bioprosthetic valved conduits for aortic root surgery are commercially available. Long-term Warfarin therapy (mechanical), potential root calcification (xeno- or homograft valves), and the need for additional ascending aorta grafts are concerns associated with currently used valved conduits. A simplified, self-assembled bioroot conduit comprising currently available materials that facilitates future intervention and exhibits advantages of a bioprosthesis was used.

A Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Hypoxia-Induced Secretome Therapy for Myocardial Repair.

Background: Poor viability and retention of transplanted bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) remains an obstacle in promoting healing after myocardial infarction (MI). This study aimed to understand the migratory, angiogenic, and cardioprotective effects induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and hypoxia through rat BM-MSC (rBM-MSC) paracrine secretions, collectively referred to as secretome, after MI.

Methods: Secretome from rBM-MSC cultures treated with various combinations of H9c2 cardiomyoblast-conditioned medium, TNF-α, and hypoxia was initially collected.

Hypoxia modulates cell migration and proliferation in placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Objectives: For more than a decade, stem cells isolated from different tissues have been evaluated in cell therapy. Among them, the human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs) were investigated extensively in the treatment of myocardial infarction. Recently, the human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hPD-MSCs), which are readily available from a biological waste, appear to be a viable alternative to hBM-MSCs.

Conditioned medium of H9c2 triggers VEGF dependent angiogenesis by activation of p38/pSTAT3 pathways in placenta derived stem cells for cardiac repair.

Aims: Cardiomyocytes are understood to possess a limited regenerative capacity. Any myocardial insult leads to an irreversible injury. Mesenchymal stem cell differentiation into cardiomyocyte-like cells stands as one of the leading experimental therapies.

Cardiac tissue engineering and regeneration using cell-based therapy.

Stem cell therapy and tissue engineering represent a forefront of current research in the treatment of heart disease. With these technologies, advancements are being made into therapies for acute ischemic myocardial injury and chronic, otherwise nonreversible, myocardial failure. The current clinical management of cardiac ischemia deals with reestablishing perfusion to the heart but not dealing with the irreversible damage caused by the occlusion or stenosis of the supplying vessels.