L-Carnitine supplementation for the prevention of postoperative atrial fibrillation in aortic valve surgery.

Objectives: L-Carnitine, a quaternary amine, improves fatty acid metabolism in the heart and has anti-inflammatory effects. Several studies have reported the efficacy of L-carnitine for the prophylaxis of arrhythmia. We assessed the clinical effectiveness of L-carnitine in preventing postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) in aortic valve surgery.

Perioperative changes of the slope in the preload recruitable stroke work relationship by a single-beat technique after mitral valve surgery in functional mitral regurgitation with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Objectives: The slope in the preload recruitable stroke work relationship is a highly linear, load-insensitive contractile parameter. However, the perioperative change of the slope has not been reported before. We examined the perioperative slope from a steady-state single beat in patients with functional mitral regurgitation and assessed the correlation with brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels.

Risk factors for residual mitral regurgitation after aortic valve replacement in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis and moderate mitral regurgitation.

Objectives: While it was reported that patients with residual moderate mitral regurgitation (MR) after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) had a poorer prognosis than those without it, the risk factors for residual MR have not been fully elucidated. The aim of the study was to evaluate risk factors for residual MR after SAVR.

Methods: Of the 222 patients who underwent isolated SAVR from 2001 to 2018, 33 (11 men; age: 74 ± 7 years) had functional moderate MR before surgery.