An experimental model of chronic severe mitral regurgitation.

Objective: To develop a minimally invasive, reproducible model of chronic severe mitral regurgitation (MR) that replicates the clinical phenotype of left atrial (LA) and left ventricular dilation and susceptibility to atrial fibrillation.

Methods: Under transesophageal echocardiographic guidance, chordae tendinae were avulsed using endovascular forceps until the ratio of regurgitant jet area to LA area was ≥70%. Animals survived for an average of 8.

Surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation is efficacious in patients with giant left atria.

Objective: The Cox-Maze IV procedure (CMP-IV) is the most effective treatment for atrial fibrillation. Increased left atrial (LA) size has been identified as a risk factor for failure to restore sinus rhythm. This has biased many surgeons against ablation in patients with giant left atrium (GLA), defined as LA diameter >6.

Impact of aortic valve effective height following valve-sparing root replacement on postoperative insufficiency and reoperation.

Background: This study evaluated the impact of anatomic aortic root parameters during valve-sparing root replacement on the probability of postoperative aortic insufficiency and freedom from aortic valve reoperation.

Methods: From 1995 to 2020, 177 patients underwent valve-sparing root replacement (163 reimplantations, 14 remodeling). Preoperative and postoperative echocardiograms were analyzed to measure annulus and sinus diameters, effective height of leaflet coaptation, and degree of aortic insufficiency.

Efficacy of the stand-alone Cox-Maze IV procedure in patients with longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia, and results in significant morbidity and mortality. The Cox-Maze IV procedure (CMP-IV) has been shown to have excellent efficacy in returning patients to sinus rhythm, but there have been few reports of late follow-up in sizable cohorts of patients with longstanding persistent AF, the most difficult type of AF to treat.

Methods And Results: Between May 2003 and March 2020, 174 consecutive patients underwent a stand-alone CMP-IV for longstanding persistent AF.

Concomitant surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation is associated with increased risk of acute kidney injury but improved late survival.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac surgery remains a common complication that has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality. This study implemented Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria to evaluate renal outcomes after concomitant surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Methods: Patients with a history of atrial fibrillation who underwent elective cardiac surgery at our institution from 2008 to 2018 were retrospectively reviewed.

Pericardial Mitochondrial DNA Levels Are Associated With Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Surgery.

Background: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is the most common complication after cardiac surgery, and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Inflammation has been implicated as an etiology of POAF. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been shown to initiate inflammation.