Apical Sparing of Longitudinal Strain as a Specific Pattern of Myocardial Fibrosis in Patients with Severe Left Ventricular Hypertrophy: A Comparison between Deformation Imaging and Histological Findings.

: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between apical sparing of longitudinal strain (LS), as measured by speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE), and the histological presence of myocardial fibrosis (MF), in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). Twenty-seven HOCM patients who underwent elective Morrow procedures +/- aortic valve replacement (AVR) were included. All patients had standard echocardiography, with STE pre- and post-operatively.

Pressure-dimension index and left ventricular sphericity index following HeartMate II and HeartMate 3 implantation.

Aims: This study aimed to compare the changes in the left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) geometry and performance after the implantation of HeartMate II (HMII) and HeartMate 3 (HM3). In addition, we investigated whether the echocardiographic parameters LV sphericity index (LVSI) and the novel pressure-dimension index (PDI) can predict post-operative right ventricular failure (RVF).

Methods And Results: Between 2012 and 2020, 46 patients [HMII (n = 22) and HM3 (n = 24)] met the study's criteria and had echocardiography tests pre-operatively, 6 and 12 months post-operatively.

Evaluation of myocardial work changes after lung resection-the significance of surgical approach: an echocardiographic comparison between VATS and thoracotomy.

Objective: Considering the controversial benefits of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), we intended to evaluate the impact of surgical approach on cardiac function after lung resection using myocardial work analysis.

Methods: Echocardiographic data of 48 patients (25 thoracotomy vs. 23 VATS) were retrospectively analyzed.

Combining Minimally Invasive Surgery With Ultra-Fast-Track Anesthesia in HeartMate 3 Patients: A Pilot Study.

Background: Minimally invasive surgery for left ventricular assist device implantation may have advantages over conventional sternotomy (CS). Additionally, ultra-fast-track anesthesia has been linked to better outcomes after cardiac surgery. This study summarizes our early experience of combining minimally invasive surgery with ultra-fast-track anesthesia (MIFTA) in patients receiving HeartMate 3 devices and compares the outcomes between MIFTA and CS.

Effective Combination of Different Surgical Strategies for Deep Sternal Wound Infection and Mediastinitis.

Purpose: Timing and ideal reconstructive approach in deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) and mediastinitis still remain controversially debated. We present our own combined surgical strategy of bilateral pectoralis major muscle flap (BPMMF) or omental flap (OF) transposition.

Methods: Between July 2010 and July 2016, poststernotomy patients with DSWI and mediastinitis underwent a secondary wound closure with modified BPMMF (Group A, center for disease control class (CDC)-II, n = 21; Group B, CDC-III, n = 20) or with OF (Group C, CDC-III, n = 19) following vacuum-assisted closure (VAC).

Sildenafil Reduces the Risk of Thromboembolic Events in HeartMate II Patients with Low-Level Hemolysis and Significantly Improves the Pulmonary Circulation.

Low-level hemolysis (LLH) after left ventricular assist device implantation contributes to thromboembolic events (TE). Free plasma hemoglobin (fHb) scavenges nitric oxide (NO), which causes endothelial dysfunction and activates platelets. fHb also interacts with von Willebrand factor (vWF).

Are elevated serum haemolysis markers a harbinger of adverse events in HeartMate II patients?

Objectives: Haemolysis during left ventricular assist device support is associated with thrombosis. In this retrospective study, we analysed whether low-level haemolysis (LLH) as defined by simultaneously elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and free haemoglobin (fHb) levels had an impact on thromboembolic and bleeding events and on von Willebrand factor levels in HeartMate II patients.

Methods: After exclusion of patients with LDH >700 U/l and fHb >40 mg/dl at hospital discharge, 79 HeartMate II patients were included.

Survival of HeartMate II Patients Despite Cessation of Anticoagulation - Outcomes and Hemostatic Analysis.

Background: In long-term left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy, recurrent bleeding events may justify cessation of anticoagulation therapy (AT). However, data about THE safety and risks of AT cessation in LVAD patients are scarce.

Methods and results: Between 2010 and 2015, 128 patients received a HeartMate II (HMII).