State-of-the-Art Review of Aortic Root Reconstruction: Contemporary Techniques and Challenges.

Aortic root reconstruction operations have undergone substantial evolution with technical modifications, expanding indications, and the need for increasingly complex decision-making. The purpose of this state-of-the-art review is to detail our approach to contemporary aortic root reconstruction operations. First, we review the evolution of root reconstruction procedures over the years and discuss the approach to the aortic root patient for lifetime management of aneurysm and valvular disease in the modern context of management options.

Next-Day Discharge After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation With the ACURATE neo/neo2 Self-Expanding Aortic Bioprosthesis.

Previous studies have shown the safety of early discharge pathways in selected patients and using selected transcatheter heart valves. Hence, we sought to evaluate the safety of next-day discharge (NDD) in patients who underwent transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TF-TAVI) with the ACURATE neo/neo2 (Boston Scientific, Marlborough, Massachusetts) self-expanding aortic bioprosthesis. Patients who underwent TF-TAVI between January 2018 and April 2023 were prospectively included.

Simulation-based assessment of robotic cardiac surgery skills: An international multicenter, cross-specialty trial.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the validity of simulation-based assessment of robotic-assisted cardiac surgery skills using a wet lab model, focusing on the use of a time-based score (TBS) and modified Global Evaluative Assessment of Robotic Skills (mGEARS) score.

Methods: We tested 3 wet lab tasks (atrial closure, mitral annular stitches, and internal thoracic artery [ITA] dissection) with both experienced robotic cardiac surgeons and novices from multiple European centers. The tasks were assessed using 2 tools: TBS and mGEARS score.

A Novel Technique for Thoracic Endovascular Graft Explantation.

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) explantation remains a challenge due to endovascular graft ingrowth into the aortic wall with time. Surgical access into the aortic arch can be difficult either via sternotomy or thoracotomy, and proximal barbs become engaged firmly into the aortic wall. Explantation often requires extensive thoracic aortic resection, sometimes from the distal aortic arch to the abdominal aorta, followed by reconstruction, risking injury to surrounding neurovascular structures and even death.

Malperfusion syndrome in acute type A aortic dissection: Thinking beyond the proximal repair.

Background And Objective: Malperfusion syndrome (MPS) is associated with the highest mortality and major morbidity risk in patients with acute Type A aortic dissection (TAAD). The timing of the open proximal aortic repair in the presence of MPS remains debatable given variability in clinical presentation and different local treatment algorithms. This paper provides an up to date and comprehensive overview of published outcomes and available techniques for addressing malperfusion in the setting of acute TAAD.

The Ross procedure is the optimal solution for young adults with unrepairable aortic valve disease.

While aortic valve repair remains the ideal intervention to restore normal valvular function, the optimal aortic valve substitute for patients with a non-repairable aortic valve remains an ongoing subject for debate. In particular, younger patients with a non-repairable valve represent a unique challenge because of their active lifestyle and long life expectancy, which carries a higher cumulative risk of prosthesis-related complications. The Ross procedure, unlike prosthetic or homograft aortic valve replacement (AVR), provides an expected survival equivalent to that of the age and gender-matched general population.

Review of frozen elephant trunk repair with the Thoraflex Hybrid device.

The frozen elephant trunk technique has revolutionized aortic arch repair to enable more extensive arch and descending thoracic aortic treatment in a single setting. We review the current evidence supporting the use of the Thoraflex Hybrid (Terumo Aortic, FL, USA) device and discuss advantages, pitfalls and future design considerations.

Multimodal imaging of aortic annulus and root geometry after valve sparing root reconstruction.

Background: Controversy exists regarding the optimal annular stabilization technique following valve sparing aortic root reconstruction (VSRR) with no comprehensive imaging data to evaluate the natural history of aortic root graft geometry, aortic valve competency and patient prognosis post-reconstruction.

Methods: Between 2008-2017, 70 consecutive patients (mean age 56.4±16.

Comparison of outcomes of root replacement procedures and supracoronary techniques for surgical repair of acute aortic dissection.

Background: Surgical approach to type A acute aortic dissection (AADA) is usually dictated by the presenting anatomy. We compared long-term outcomes of AADA repaired with a root replacement versus a supracoronary tube graft, regardless of the proximal extent of the intimal tear.

Methods: A single-centre, retrospective cohort of consecutive patients undergoing repair of AADA between December 1999 and March 2012 were stratified based on the proximal surgical procedure performed: supracoronary tube graft or root replacement.

Higher-risk mitral valve operations after previous sternotomy: endoscopic, minimally invasive approach improves patient outcomes.

Background: Reoperative mitral valve (MV) surgery is associated with significant morbidity and mortality; however, endoscopic minimally invasive surgical techniques may preserve the surgical benefits of conventional mitral operations while potentially reducing perioperative risk and length of stay (LOS) in hospital.

Methods: We compared the outcomes of consecutive patients who underwent reoperative MV surgery between 2000 and 2014 using a minimally invasive endoscopic approach (MINI) with those of patients who underwent a conventional sternotomy (STERN). The primary outcome was in-hospital/30-day mortality.

Ross, Hybrid Arch, and Frozen Elephant Trunk Reconstruction for Late Complications of Bicuspid Aortic Valve and Aortopathy.

Young patients with bicuspid aortic valve disease and aortopathy remain a clinical challenge, with many requiring multiple corrective operations throughout their lifetimes. Innovative surgical approaches are often required to address complex aortic pathologic conditions but leave patients at risk for reintervention, lifelong anticoagulation, and suboptimal hemodynamics. We describe an active 44-year-old female triathlete with recurrent bicuspid aortic stenosis, a small aortic root, a hypoplastic aortic arch and complex distal arch, and a descending aortic aneurysm, who underwent a single-stage reconstruction with a combined Ross procedure, hybrid arch, and frozen elephant trunk reconstruction.

Evaluation of robotic cardiac surgery simulation training: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To compare the currently available simulation training modalities used to teach robotic surgery.

Methods: Forty surgical trainees completed a standardized robotic 10-cm dissection of the internal thoracic artery and placed 3 sutures of a mitral valve annuloplasty in porcine models and were then randomized to a wet lab, a dry lab, a virtual reality lab, or a control group that received no additional training. All groups trained to a level of proficiency determined by 2 expert robotic cardiac surgeons.

Validation of a Novel Virtual Reality Training Curriculum for Robotic Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Trial.

Objective: Robotic cardiac surgery training has relied entirely on classical methods of surgical teaching. We sought to evaluate the impact of a virtual reality (VR) simulation curriculum to improve skill acquisition in robotic cardiac surgery.

Methods: We randomly assigned 20 surgical trainees to undergo a 9-exercise VR curriculum on a robotic surgical simulator or a control group that received no additional training.

Invasive Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Endocarditis Resulting in Right Ventricular Pseudoaneurysm and Fistulation to Previous Bypass Graft.

We describe the case of a 73-year-old man with methicillin-resistant Staphyloccocus aureus (MRSA) endocarditis, which developed into a right ventricular pseudoaneurysm that fistulated into a previous saphenous vein graft to his distal right coronary artery (RCA). The patient was taken for a redo sternotomy, surgical evacuation of the abscess, bovine pericardial patch reconstruction of the right ventricular free wall, and tricuspid valve repair. Despite our best efforts and a repair that appeared sufficient at the time of operation, the patient died of ischemic colitis on postoperative day 5.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the acute treatment of cardiovascular collapse immediately post-partum.

We describe the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in a 30-year old woman at 37 weeks' gestation, following cardiac arrest from pulmonary embolism immediately post-partum from an emergent Caesarean section. In this case, ECMO was initiated though modified techniques with only the equipment available in a delivery room as a last resort to save a new mother after a significant downtime of 83 min. The patient received tissue plasminogen activator during the resuscitation resulting in significant blood loss.