Revisiting ascending aortic resection in the elective valve-sparing root replacement: assessing the benefits and necessity of hemiarch replacement at three centres.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the indication and optimal timing for performing a hemiarch procedure in patients undergoing valve-sparing root replacement (VSRR).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on 986 patients undergoing VSRR at three tertiary care centres. Inclusion criteria were all patients undergoing elective VSRR.

Right ventricular function in Marfan patients remains stable despite multiple cardiac interventions.

Objectives: Mitral valve regurgitation and left ventricular dysfunction are cardiovascular symptoms of Marfan syndrome. There is a paucity of information on tricuspid valve regurgitation and right ventricular function. In patients with Marfan syndrome, we looked at long-term changes in right ventricular function, tricuspid valve regurgitation and freedom from tricuspid valve repair.

Endovascular aortic repair in patients with Marfan and Loeys-Dietz syndrome is safe and durable when employed by a multi-disciplinary aortic team.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to report on mid-term outcomes after endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) in patients with Marfan (MFS) or Loeys-Dietz (LDS) syndrome.

Methods: We analysed data from 2 European centres of patients with MFS and LDS undergoing EVAR. Patients were analysed based on (i) timing of the procedure (planned versus emergency procedure) and (ii) the nature of the landing zone (safe versus non-safe).

The non to moderately dilated root in acute type A aortic dissection: outcomes of the PENN-BERN registry in young, non-syndromic patients.

Objectives: There is an ongoing debate regarding whether patients benefit more from root replacement compared to a reconstruction of the sinuses of Valsalva in acute type A aortic dissection (aTAAD). In those with known or suspected connective tissue disorders, root replacement is considered appropriate. However, there are currently no diameter-based guidelines regarding the best approach in patients with minimally to moderately dilated root and no connective tissue disorders.

Impact of surgically placed radiopaque markers during aortic root surgery on facilitating secondary diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

Background: Implantation of radiopaque markers during aortic root surgery might possibly facilitate upcoming coronary angiography or transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Aim of this study was to report the impact of surgically placed radiopaque markers on procedural characteristics and on angiographic outcomes.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed baseline characteristics, preoperative and postoperative data as well as procedural findings.

Chronic cholesterol administration to the brain supports complete and long-lasting cognitive and motor amelioration in Huntington's disease.

Evidence that Huntington's disease (HD) is characterized by impaired cholesterol biosynthesis in the brain has led to strategies to increase its level in the brain of the rapidly progressing R6/2 mouse model, with a positive therapeutic outcome. Here we tested the long-term efficacy of chronic administration of cholesterol to the brain of the slowly progressing zQ175DN knock-in HD mice in preventing ("early treatment") or reversing ("late treatment") HD symptoms. To do this we used the most advanced formulation of cholesterol loaded brain-permeable nanoparticles (NPs), termed hybrid-g7-NPs-chol, which were injected intraperitoneally.

Transapical Transcatheter Mitral Valve Implantation with the Tendyne Valve: The Swiss Experience.

Background:  The aim of this study was to report outcomes of all patients undergoing transcatheter mitral valve implantation with the Tendyne Mitral Valve System (Tendyne) in Switzerland.

Methods:  We retrospectively analyzed preoperative echocardiographic and computed tomography (CT) data, procedural findings, and 30-day and 1-year follow-up echocardiographic and clinical data of patients who underwent transcatheter mitral valve implantation with Tendyne in Switzerland.

Results:  A total of 24 patients (age, 74.

Outcome of Stanford type B dissection in patients with Marfan syndrome.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of Stanford type B aortic dissection in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS) and to evaluate aortic diameters at time of dissection as well as the impact of previous aortic root replacement.

Methods: Analysis of all patients with MFS fulfilling Ghent criteria seen at this institution since 1995 until 2022.

Results: Thirty-six (19%) out of 188 patients with MFS suffered from Stanford type B aortic dissection during the study period.

The impact of sex and gender on aortic events in patients with Marfan syndrome.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore sex and gender differences regarding aortic events in Marfan patients.

Methods: We analysed all data from our connective tissue disorder database. Only patients with Marfan syndrome were included.

Comprehensive review with pooled analysis on external and internal jugular vein aneurysm.

Objective: The aim of the present comprehensive review was to present an overview of the clinical presentation and treatment options for external (EJVAs) and internal jugular vein aneurysms (IJVAs) to help clinicians in evidence-based decision making.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) statement and included MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, WHO (World Health Organization) trial register, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the LIVIVO search portal.

Early Experience With a Novel Suture Device for Sternal Closure in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery.

Background: Sternal closure by absorbable suture material is an established method for chest closure in pediatric cardiac surgical procedures. However, the formation of granuloma around knotted suture material is frequently observed and has potential for prolonged wound healing and infection, particularly in newborns and infants. This retrospective study analyzed the suitability and reliability of a novel absorbable, self-locking, multianchor knotless suture with antibacterial technology for sternal closure in pediatric cardiac surgical procedures.

[Gastric Bypass: Weight Loss with Complications].

Gastric Bypass: Weight Loss with Complications Abstract. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) is the most often performed bariatric operation worldwide with internal hernia as one of the main long-term complications. To our knowledge, we report the first case of post-ischemic small-bowel strictures observed after a successful operation of an internal hernia after RYGBP.

Impact of new technologies and experience on procedural aspects of surgical aortic valve replacement - a process analysis.

Background: Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) is the treatment of choice in severe symptomatic aortic valve disease. New techniques and prostheses have been recently developed to facilitate the procedure and reduce aortic cross-clamp time (AOx). The aim of this study was to analyse the different procedural steps in order to identify the most time-consuming part during aortic clamping time and to compare impact of experience on procedural aspects.

Ketamine, propofol and low dose remifentanil versus propofol and remifentanil for ERCP outside the operating room: is ketamine not only a "rescue drug"?

Background: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography ERCP is a painful and long procedure requiring transient deep analgesia and conscious sedation. An ideal anaesthetic that guarantees a rapid and smooth induction, good quality of maintenance, lack of adverse effects and rapid recovery is still lacking. This study aimed to compare safety and efficacy of a continuous infusion of low dose remifentanil plus ketamine combined with propofol in comparison to the standard regimen dose of remifentanil plus propofol continuous infusion during ERCP.

Complete neurological recovery after systemic air embolism during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

Systemic air embolisms are a rare but often a fatal complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Only few cases have been reported in scientific studies. This paper concerns a case of a systemic air embolism that occurred during endoscopic sphincterotomy for gallstone removal in a 79-year-old-woman and discusses possible mechanisms.

Low estradiol-to-testosterone ratio is associated with oligo-anovulatory cycles and atherogenic lipidic pattern in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective: The estradiol-to-testosterone (E2/T) ratio has been investigated in different diseases but few in vivo data are available with regard to its role in women with ovary syndrome (PCOS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the E2/T ratio in the ovulatory function and metabolic pattern in such women.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated hyperandrogenemia, clinical hyperandrogenism, ovarian morphology, hypothalamo-hypophyseal axis and metabolic syndrome parameters in a cohort of 202 consecutive women affected by PCOS.

Regional anticoagulation and antiaggregation for CVVH in critically ill patients: a prospective, randomized, controlled pilot study.

Background: The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy and clinical safety of regional anticoagulation (heparin pre-filter plus post-filter protamine) plus antiaggregation (pre-filter prostacyclin) [Group 1 (G1)] vs. only systemic heparin anticoagulation without antiaggregation [Group 2 (G2)] in critically ill patients with acute renal failure undergoing continuous veno-venous haemofiltration (CVVH).

Methods: One hundred and ten patients were randomized in a prospective, controlled pilot study.

The increase of endothelial progenitor cells in the peripheral blood: a new parameter for detecting onset and severity of sepsis.

Sepsis is a clinical syndrome characterized by non-specific inflammatory response with evidence of profound changes in the function and structure of endothelium. Recent evidence suggests that vascular maintenance, repair and angiogenesis are in part mediated by recruitment from bone marrow (BM) of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). In this study we were interested in whether EPCs are increasingly mobilized during sepsis and if this mobilization is associated with sepsis severity.

Minimally invasive versus traditional chest surgical approach in patients with reduced renal function.

Aim: All surgical access approaches to the chest wall cause a different degree of muscle damage and freeing of substances as myogloblin into the bloodstream thus compromising kidney function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential kidney damage in relation to entity of muscle lesions caused by the different surgical approaches.

Methods: The hematic levels of creatine phosphokinase (CPK), myoglobin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatinine as well as the amount of the diuresis at different intervals of time were taken of 66 patients who underwent a thoracic surgical operation with diverse surgical access approaches.

Fine-needle aspiration molecular analysis for the diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma through BRAF V600E mutation and RET/PTC rearrangement.

Objective: To evaluate BRAF(V600E) mutation on consecutive fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) specimens in order to assess FNAB's usefulness in preoperative papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) diagnosis with the contemporaneous analysis of RET/PTC1 and RET/PTC3 rearrangements obtained from ex vivo thyroid nodules.

Design: Thyroid FNABs from 156 subjects with nodules and 49 corresponding surgical samples were examined for the presence of BRAF mutation by real-time allele-specific polymerase chain reaction, confirmed with the use of a laser pressure catapulting system. Samples were also examined for RET/PTC rearrangements.

Wolfram syndrome. How much could knowledge challenge the fate? A case report.

Background: Wolfram syndrome (WS) is a rare, autosomic recessive genetic disorder. The mortality rate of WS is about 65% before 35 years of age. It presents diagnostic challenges in the clinical practice due to its incomplete characterization.

An exceptional case of complete neurologic recovery after more than 5-h cardiac arrest.

We describe a case of more than 5 h cardiac arrest in a 60-year-old patient who underwent general anesthesia for a urologic operation. Before extubation, the patient suddenly developed ventricular fibrillation, pulseless ventricular tachycardia and asystole which was immediately treated by advanced life support (ALS) measures. Thirty minutes later seizures developed and were controlled by 200 mg of thiopentone and 10 mg of diazepam.