Hybrid endovascular/surgical Kommerrell's diverticulum treatment.

Kommerrell's diverticulum of the right aberrant subclavian artery is a rare disease, its treatment is still controversial. We report the case of a patient with a six cm aneurysmal dilation successfully treated in a hybrid surgical/endovascular way.

Relation of Prolonged Pacemaker Dependency After Cardiac Surgery to Mortality.

Permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) represents a rare complication after cardiac surgery, with no uniform agreement on timing and no information on follow-up. A multicenter retrospective study was designed to assess pacemaker dependency (PMD) and long-term mortality after cardiac surgery procedures. Between 2004 and 2016, PPI-patients from 18 centers were followed.

Case report and systematic review of iatrogenic left atrial dissection in different cardiovascular specialties: A common treatment for an uncommon complication?

Objectives: Left atrial dissection (LatD) is a rare and heterogeneous condition affecting many cardiovascular areas. The present article, by the means of personal case report illustration and systemic review of different clinical management, is aimed to give to clinicians further knowledge on this controversial topic.

Background: LatD is an exceedingly rare but potentially fatal complication of cardiac surgery or catheter-based interventional procedures.

The Role of Heart Team Approach in Penetrating Cardiac Trauma: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Penetrating cardiac trauma has been increasing in clinical experience and is joined to important morbidity and mortality. A case of a 38-year-old female with history of postpartum depression was reported, admitted to our department for cardiac tamponade due to penetrating self-inflicted multiple stab wound of the chest complicated by rupture of anterior left ventricular wall and traumatic ventricular septal defect. Following the unstable hemodynamic instability, a combined therapeutic strategy was chosen: surgery and transcatheter implantation to correct free wall ventricle damage and traumatic ventricular septal defect, respectively.

Transesophageal Echocardiography and Radiation-induced Damages.

The long-term sequelae of mantle therapy include, especially lung and cardiac disease but also involve the vessels and the organs in the neck and thorax (such as thyroid, aorta, and esophagus). We presented the case of 66-year-old female admitted for congestive heart failure in radiation-induced heart disease. The patient had undergone to massive radiotherapy 42 years ago for Hodgkin's disease (type 1A).

Safety and efficacy of prothrombin complex concentrate as first-line treatment in bleeding after cardiac surgery.

Background: Bleeding after cardiac surgery requiring surgical reexploration and blood component transfusion is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Although prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) has been used satisfactorily in bleeding disorders, studies on its efficacy and safety after cardiopulmonary bypass are limited.

Methods: Between January 2005 and December 2013, 3454 consecutive cardiac surgery patients were included in an observational study aimed at investigating the efficacy and safety of PCC as first-line coagulopathy treatment as a replacement for fresh frozen plasma (FFP).

Endovascular Repair of Ascending Aortic Pseudoaneurysm With Custom-Designed Endograft.

Open repair of ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm (AscAP) carries high risks and mortality rate. Previous papers reported the off-label use of standard thoracic or abdominal endograft in very selected cases. We present the case of a 57-year-old man with an AscAP successfully managed with a new custom-designed endograft.

Outcome of emergency coronary artery bypass grafting.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the immediate and late outcome of emergency coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in a multicenter setting.

Design: Multicenter, retrospective study.

Setting: Four university hospitals.

Red blood cell transfusion is a determinant of neurological complications after cardiac surgery.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of red blood cell (RBC) transfusions on the occurrence of stroke and transient ischaemic attack (TIA) after cardiac surgery.

Methods: Data on 14 956 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and valve surgery (with or without concomitant CABG) were retrieved at three European University Hospitals. The prognostic impact of RBC transfusion on postoperative stroke and TIA was investigated by logistic regression and multilevel propensity score analysis.

Bedside tool for predicting the risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: the POAF score.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) remains the most common complication after cardiac surgery. The present study aim was to derive an effective bedside tool to predict postoperative AF and its related complications.

Methods And Results: Data of 17 262 patients undergoing adult cardiac surgery were retrieved at 3 European university hospitals.

The effect of timing of cardiac catheterization on acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery is influenced by the type of operation.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a vexing complication of cardiac surgery. Since exposure to contrast agents is a relevant contributing factor in the development of postoperative AKI, the optimal timing between cardiac catheterization and surgery is decisive.

Methods: A total of 2504 consecutive nonemergent patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve surgery (with or without concomitant CABG), and proximal aortic procedures were enrolled.

Mitral valve repair or replacement for ischemic mitral regurgitation? The Italian Study on the Treatment of Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation (ISTIMIR).

Objective: It is uncertain whether mitral valve replacement is really inferior to mitral valve repair for the treatment of chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation. This multicenter study aimed at providing a contribution to this issue.

Methods: Of 1006 patients with chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation and impaired left ventricular function (ejection fraction < 40%) operated on at 13 Italian institutions between 1996 and 2011, 298 (29.

Preoperative statin therapy is not associated with a decrease in the incidence of delirium after cardiac operations.

Background: Delirium after cardiac operations is associated with significant morbidity and death. Statins have been recently suggested to exert protective cerebral effects. This study investigated whether preoperative statins were associated with decreased incidence of postoperative delirium in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

Optimal timing of discontinuation of clopidogrel and risk of blood transfusion after coronary surgery. Propensity score analysis.

Background: The optimal time delay between last clopidogrel dose and surgery is controversial. The aim of the present study was to analyze the impact of preoperative clopidogrel on the need for blood transfusions with reference to the proper timing of discontinuation.

Methods And Results: Between January 2005 and December 2010, 1,947 consecutive patients undergoing coronary surgery were enrolled.