Stentless Root Replacement versus Tissue Valves in Infective Endocarditis - A Propensity-Score Matched Study.

Introduction: People with aortic/prosthetic valve endocarditis are a high-risk cohort of patients who present a challenge for all medically involved disciplines and who can be treated by various surgical techniques.

Methods: We analyzed the results of treatment of root endocarditis with Medtronic Freestyle® in full-root technique over 19 years (1999-2018) and compared them against treatment with other tissue valves. Comparison was made with propensity score matching, using the nearest neighbor method.

Use of the Medtronic Freestyle for aortic valve infection: A retrospective propensity score matched analysis.

Backgrounds: Aortic valve and prosthetic valve endocarditis present a challenging subgroup of patients at high risk. We analyzed our experience using the Medtronic Freestyle in full root technique for the treatment of these cases over 18-year time period.

Methods: We investigated the endocarditis subgroup from our cohort of 971 patients and compared results against other valve types with propensity score matching implementing nearest neighbor method.

Hospital Results of a Single Center Database for Stentless Xenograft Use in a Full Root Technique in Over 970 Patients.

Our aim was to analyse the hospital outcome for the worldwide largest series of stentless bioroot xenografts (Medtronic Freestyle) as full root replacement in a single centre over a period of 18 years. Retrospective data analysis was performed for the entire cohort of patients undergoing aortic root surgery with the Medtronic Freestyle valve prosthesis. Logistic regression analysis was performed to analyse predictors of in-hospital mortality.

International Expert Consensus on Sutureless and Rapid Deployment Valves in Aortic Valve Replacement Using Minimally Invasive Approaches.

Objective: To define the benefit of sutureless and rapid deployment valves in current minimally invasive approaches in isolated aortic valve replacement.

Methods: A panel of 28 international experts with expertise in both minimally invasive aortic valve replacement and rapid deployment valves was constituted. After thorough literature review, the experts rated evidence-based recommendations in a modified Delphi approach.

Mechanical strength of aneurysmatic and dissected human thoracic aortas at different shear loading modes.

Rupture of aneurysms and acute dissection of the thoracic aorta are life-threatening events which affect tens of thousands of people per year. The underlying mechanisms remain unclear and the aortic wall is known to lose its structural integrity, which in turn affects its mechanical response to the loading conditions. Hence, research on such aortic diseases is an important area in biomechanics.

Kawasaki disease and hepatobiliary involvement: report of two cases.

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) without affection of the coronary artery system is rare. Optic nerve pathology together with KD has not been described earlier.

Case Presentation: We present one case of KD in a 12-year-old girl predominantly with prolonged cholestasis, and a second case of multiple recurrent KD in a 9-year-old boy with hepatomegaly and ischemic optic nerve neuropathy.

First-in-Man Transcervical Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement Using the CoreVista System.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate a novel device system for surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) using a unique new less invasive access approach. The hypothesis is that SAVR can be performed through a short transverse incision in the neck, similar to that used for transcervical thymectomy avoiding chest disruption.

Methods: A new device system was developed to provide retraction, step-by-step illumination, and on-screen visualization for the new approach.

Sutureless, rapid deployment valves and stented bioprosthesis in aortic valve replacement: recommendations of an International Expert Consensus Panel.

Objectives: After a panel process, recommendations on the use of sutureless and rapid deployment valves in aortic valve replacement were given with special respect as an alternative to stented valves.

Methods: Thirty-one international experts in both sutureless, rapid deployment valves and stented bioprostheses constituted the panel. After a thorough literature review, evidence-based recommendations were rated in a three-step modified Delphi approach by the experts.

Sutureless Aortic Valve Replacement International Registry (SU-AVR-IR): design and rationale from the International Valvular Surgery Study Group (IVSSG).

Background: Sutureless aortic valve replacement (SU-AVR) is an innovative approach which shortens cardiopulmonary bypass and cross-clamp durations and may facilitate minimally invasive approach. Evidence outlining its safety, efficacy, hemodynamic profile and potential complications is replete with small-volume observational studies and few comparative publications.

Methods: Minimally invasive aortic valve surgery and high-volume SU-AVR replacement centers were contacted for recruitment into a global collaborative coalition dedicated to sutureless valve research.

Sutureless aortic valve replacement: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Sutureless aortic valve replacement (SU-AVR) has emerged as an innovative alternative for treatment of aortic stenosis. By avoiding the placement of sutures, this approach aims to reduce cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) duration and thereby improve surgical outcomes and facilitate a minimally invasive approach suitable for higher risk patients. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the safety and efficacy of SU-AVR approach in the current literature.

Early single-center experience in sutureless aortic valve implantation in 120 patients.

Objective: The study objective was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of sutureless self-expanding nitinol stent-frame aortic valve prostheses made of equine pericardium implanted in patients with symptomatic aortic valve disease.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 120 patients (mean age, 76.7 ± 5.

Assessment of the effect on blood loss and transfusion requirements when adding a polyethylene glycol sealant to the anastomotic closure of aortic procedures: a case-control analysis of 102 patients undergoing Bentall procedures.

Background: The use of CoSeal(®), a polyethylene glycol sealant, in cardiac and vascular surgery for prevention of anastomotic bleeding has been subject to prior investigations. We analysed our perioperative data to determine the clinical benefit of using polyethylene glycol sealant to inhibit suture line bleeding in aortic surgery.

Methods: From January 2004 to June 2006, 124 patients underwent aortic surgical procedures such as full root replacements, reconstruction and/or replacement of ascending aorta and aortic arch procedures.

The Freedom SOLO valve: mid-term clinical results with a stentless pericardial valve for aortic valve replacement.

Background And Aim Of The Study: The study aim was to evaluate the Freedom SOLO pericardial stentless valve prosthesis implanted in a subcoronary or supra-annular position, using a single running suture, over a follow up period of up to five years. The clinical data obtained after aortic valve replacement (AVR) were analyzed retrospectively for validation.

Methods: Between April 2004 and September 2009, a total of 143 patients (81 males, 62 females; mean age 71 +/- 7 years; range: 41-87 years) underwent primary AVR using the Freedom SOLO valve, implanted with a supra-annular subcoronary technique.

Influence of operative strategy for the aortic arch in DeBakey type I aortic dissection: analysis of the German Registry for Acute Aortic Dissection Type A.

Objective: Patients treated with an extensive approach including total aortic arch replacement for acute aortic dissection type A may have a favorable long-term prognosis by treating the residual false lumen. Our goal was to analyze the operative strategy for treatment of type I DeBakey aortic dissection from the German Registry for Acute Aortic Dissection Type A (GERAADA) data.

Methods: A total of 658 patients with type I DeBakey aortic dissection and entry only in the ascending aorta were identified in the GERAADA.

Stentless full root bioprosthesis in surgery for complex aortic valve-ascending aortic disease: a single center experience of over 300 patients.

Objective: The technically demanding full root aortic valve replacement necessitating coronary ostia reimplantation apparently leads to hesitation by some surgeons despite the superior hemodynamics and excellent long-term clinical performances of the stentless xenografts. Clinical data of stentless full root replacements was retrospectively analyzed in this perspective for validation.

Methods: From November 1999 to March 2007, 317 adult patients (male: 196, female, 121) underwent modified Bio-Bentall procedure using the Medtronic Freestyle xenograft as a full root replacement.

Right atrial mass: tumor or aneurysm?

Accurate diagnosis and the surgical therapy is challenging for a mediastinal growth. After coronary artery graft surgery in 1982 and coronary reoperation in 1992, a patient was admitted for right atrial tumor. Echocardiography and MRI scan did not reveal precise tumor delineation.

Comparison of operative techniques in acute type A aortic dissection performing the distal anastomosis.

Objective: The aim of our retrospective study was to evaluate early and midterm clinical outcomes of two surgical techniques: open anastomosis in deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) compared to anastomosis with clamped aorta while continuing on extracorporeal circulation (CECC).

Methods: Between November 1997 and February 2002, 67 patients were operated for acute type A aortic dissection. Records of 35 patients with isolated replacement of the ascending aorta without intervention on the aortic arch were retrospectively reviewed.