Predictors of the Need for Permanent Pacemaker Implantation After Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement with a Biological Prosthesis and the Effect on Long-Term Survival.

The need for a permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation after surgical aortic valve implantation (SAVR) is a recognized postoperative complication, with potentially long-term reduced survival. From 1987 to 2017, 2500 consecutive patients underwent SAVR with a biological valve with or without concomitant procedures such as CABG or mitral valve repair. Mechanical valves or valves in another position were excluded.

Operation in the gray zone: is SAVR still useful in patients aged between 75 and 80 years?

Introduction: Aortic valve replacement is the only effective treatment for symptomatic aortic valve disease. Transcatheter implantation has been introduced as alternative for surgery (SAVR), but its penetration varied widely. For high-risk octogenarian patients, the advantages of TAVI are clear.

Dementia Development during Long-Term Follow-Up after Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement with a Biological Prosthesis in a Geriatric Population.

Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) with a biological heart valve prosthesis (BHV) is often used as a treatment in elderly patients with symptomatic aortic valve disease. This age group is also at risk for the development of dementia in the years following SAVR. The research question is "what are the predictors for the development of dementia?".

Clinical Outcomes after Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in 681 Octogenarians: A Single-Center Real-World Experience Comparing the Old Patients with the Very Old Patients.

Aortic valve disease is a lethal condition, once it becomes symptomatic. Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) has, for a long time, been the only treatment option. In patients aged 85 and older, the consequences of SAVR have rarely been investigated.

Referral of Patients for Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement before and after Introduction of the Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation-Changing Patterns of Preoperative Characteristics and Volume and Postoperative Outcome.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) was first presented in 2002 as a case report. Randomized controlled trials showed that TAVI could serve as an alternative for surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in high-risk patients. While the indications for TAVI have expanded into low-risk groups, favorable results of SAVR in elderly showed an increase in application of surgical treatment in this age category.

How to manage patients in whom malignancy and infective endocarditis are associated: a review.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a potentially short-term lethal condition. An association with malignancy could complicate diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. The questions to be answered are: (1) which type of malignancies are encountered; (2) how often has the association between malignancy and IE been described, and (3) what are thus far the diagnostic and treatment strategies for patients with both conditions.

What are the main predictors of in-hospital mortality in patients with infective endocarditis: a review.

Objectives: Infective endocarditis (IE) has a high 30-day mortality. Surgery is needed in many patients. The preoperative hemodynamic status (congestive heart failure, need for urgent/emergent surgery or mechanical support, NYHA class III/IV) could have an impact on postoperative outcome.

Understanding well-being and learning of Nigerian nurses: a job demand control support model approach.

Aim: This study investigated whether Nigerian nurses' emotional exhaustion and active learning were predicted by job demands, control and social support.

Background: Limited research has been conducted concerning nurses' work stress in developing countries, such as Nigeria. Accordingly, it is not clear whether work interventions for improving nurses' well-being in these countries can be based on work stress models that are developed in Western countries, such as the job demand control support model, as well as on empirical findings of job demand control support research.

Heart transplantation in patients with previous malignancy. An overview.

Introduction: A history of malignancy has been considered as a contraindication for heart transplantation. The number of patients with prior malignancy needing transplantation is increasing due to improved survival and to cardiotoxic cancer treatment. However, this reluctance for transplantation can be challenged by the already available results.

An unusual case of aortic valve obstruction.

During a dissection class for anatomy, a white lipoid mass was found in the ascending aorta, which was partly attached to the wall and filled the sinuses ofValsalva and almost fitting as a cast. This mass prevented full opening of the mobile aortic valve leaflets, thereby causing an obstruction. Microscopic analysis revealed fibres and presence of polymorphonuclear white blood cells.

Cancer in heart disease patients: what are the limitations in the treatment strategy?

Cardiovascular disease and cancer are leading causes of morbidity and mortality, and can both be present in one patient. In patients with simultaneous disease, the most threatening disease should be treated first. This is usually heart disease, but this can pose specific problems.

Maternal position and other variables: effects on perineal outcomes in 557 births.

Background: Damage to the perineum is common after vaginal delivery, and it can be caused by laceration, episiotomy, or both. This study investigated the effects of maternal position (lateral vs lithotomy) and other variables on the occurrence of perineal damage.

Methods: A retrospective study included the examination of hospital records from 557 women.

Effects of aerobic endurance, muscle strength, and motor control exercise on physical fitness and musculoskeletal injury rate in preprofessional dancers: an uncontrolled trial.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate musculoskeletal injury rate and physical fitness before and 6 months after an endurance, strength, and motor control exercise program in preprofessional dancers.

Methods: This uncontrolled trial was completed at a college offering a professional bachelor degree in dance. Forty preprofessional dancers underwent a test battery before and after a 6-month lasting exercise program in addition to their regular dance lessons.

Prediction of surgical outcome after aortic valve replacement.

Background: Aortic valve replacement has some major adverse outcomes. For these, the predictors need identification.

Methods: This was a retrospective file study of 1000 consecutive patients who underwent AVR for degenerative aortic valve disease.

Mentoring in nursing education: perceived characteristics of mentors and the consequences of mentorship.

This paper presents the initial research results of mentorship in Flanders, Belgium. A validated questionnaire has been used as well as a semi-structured interview, to investigate perceived characteristics, advantages and drawbacks of mentorship, as well as practical aspects in mentoring education. The questionnaire has been validated for the Dutch language.

Immunological similarities between cancer and chronic fatigue syndrome: the common link to fatigue?

Cancer and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) are both characterised by fatigue and severe disability. Besides fatigue, certain aspects of immune dysfunctions appear to be present in both illnesses. In this regard, a literature review of overlapping immune dysfunctions in CFS and cancer is provided.

Evaluation of cell death markers in severe calcified aortic valves.

Degenerative aortic valve disease is the most frequent acquired valve disease. Especially in the elderly, its prevalence is increasing. Once the disease becomes symptomatic, it is rapidly fatal.

A thousand pericardial valves in aortic position: risk factors for postoperative acute renal function impairment in elderly.

Aim: Postoperative renal dysfunction after aortic valve replacement is a serious complication. To minimize its occurrence, risk factors have to be identified, and if possible eliminated.

Methods: Of 1000 consecutive patients, who underwent AVR, a file study was performed chi(2)nd logistic regression analysis were performed to study the effect of 24 preoperative, 7 peroperative and 7 postoperative factors on the occurrence of 30-day postoperative worsening of renal function.

The risk of postoperative pulmonary or pleural complications after aortic valve replacement is low in elderly patients: an observational study.

Question: What factors predict postoperative pulmonary and pleural complications following aortic valve replacement?

Design: Retrospective study.

Participants: One thousand consecutive patients who underwent aortic valve replacement with a pericardial valve between 1986 and 2006. Of these, 610 underwent also coronary artery surgery.

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy in higher eukaryotes.

Research in autophagy continues to accelerate,(1) and as a result many new scientists are entering the field. Accordingly, it is important to establish a standard set of criteria for monitoring macroautophagy in different organisms. Recent reviews have described the range of assays that have been used for this purpose.

One thousand Carpentier-Edwards pericardial valves in the aortic position: what has changed in the past 20 years, and what are the effects on hospital complications?

Background And Aim Of The Study: Over the past 20 years, both the typical age and co-morbidity of patients referred for aortic valve replacement (AVR) have increased. In order to assess the effect of these changes on hospital complications, an evaluation was conducted of patient characteristics within this time period.

Methods: This retrospective study included 1,000 consecutive patients who underwent AVR with a pericardial valve.