Efficacy of four different left atrial appendage closure techniques during cardiac surgery-A transesophageal echocardiography follow-up study.

Objective: Closure of the left atrial appendage (LAA) is a routine part of atrial fibrillation ablation surgery and significantly reduces stroke rates. Different LAA-closure techniques are used in cardiac surgery with variable results reported. We therefore evaluated the efficacy of 4 different LAA-closure techniques in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Evaluation of cell survival in different 3D-printed geometric shapes of human iPSC-derived engineered heart tissue.

Objectives: Engineered Heart Tissue (EHT) is a promising tool to repair heart muscle defects and can additionally be used for drug testing. Due to the absence of an in vitro vascularization, EHT geometry crucially impacts nutrient and oxygen supply by diffusion capacity. We analyzed cardiomyocyte survival in different EHT geometries.

Left atrial strain predicts the rhythm outcome in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation undergoing left atrial cryoablation during minimally invasive mitral valve repair.

Objectives: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have lower left atrial (LA) strain, which is a predictor for LA function. Here, we evaluated the prognostic value of LA strain to predict the rhythm outcome in patients with persistent AF undergoing LA cryoablation concomitant to minimally invasive mitral valve repair.

Methods: Between 01/2016 and 12/2020, 72 patients with persistent AF underwent LA cryoablation during minimally invasive mitral valve surgery.

Bionic Nanocoating of Prosthetic Grafts Significantly Reduces Bacterial Growth.

Prosthetic materials are a source of bacterial infections, with significant morbidity and mortality. Utilizing the bionic "Lotus effect," we generated superhydrophobic vascular prostheses by nanocoating and investigated their resistance to bacterial colonization. Nanoparticles were generated from silicon dioxide (SiO), and coated vascular prostheses developed a nanoscale roughness with superhydrophobic characteristics.

Balloon-expandable transcatheter heart valves for treatment of aortic valve stenosis in patients with large aortic annuli: Evaluation of deployment balloon overfilling strategies.

Objectives: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) using balloon-expandable (BE) transcatheter heart valves (THV) in aortic annuli above 29 mm includes particular procedural steps, mainly involving overfilling of the deployment balloon. Data on overfilling strategies in clinical daily practice is scarce. We herein aimed for a retrospective description of utilized overfilling strategies in those patients.

Procedural outcome & risk prediction in young patients undergoing transvenous lead extraction-a GALLERY subgroup analysis.

Background: The prevalence of young patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) is steadily increasing, accompanied by a rise in the occurrence of complications related to CIEDs. Consequently, transvenous lead extraction (TLE) has become a crucial treatment approach for such individuals.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics and procedural outcomes of young patients who undergo TLE, with a specific focus on identifying independent risk factors associated with adverse events.

Valve-in-valve procedures for degenerated surgical and transcatheter aortic valve bioprostheses using a latest-generation self-expanding intra-annular transcatheter heart valve.

Background: Valve-in-valve (ViV) transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for failing aortic surgical bioprostheses or transcatheter heart valves (THV) has demonstrated a reasonable clinical and hemodynamic efficacy. Traditionally, self-expanding (SE) supra-annular THV are considered to result in superior hemodynamics compared with balloon-expandable intra-annular THV after ViV. However, so far no data are found on latest-generation intra-annular SE THV for aortic ViV procedures which might be superior with regard to coronary access or subsequent valve reintervention.

Laser lead extraction in octo- and nonagenarians. A subgroup analysis from the GALLERY registry.

Introduction: In an aging population with cardiac implantable electronic devices, an increasing number of octo- and even nonagenarians present for lead extraction procedures. Those patients are considered at increased risk for surgical procedures including lead extraction. Here, we investigated safety and efficacy of transvenous lead extraction in a large patient cohort of octo- and nonagenarians.

Transvenous lead extraction of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators: A comprehensive outcome-and risk factor analysis.

Background: Device complications, such as infection or lead dysfunction necessitating transvenous lead extraction (TLE) are continuously rising amongst patients with transvenous implantable-cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD).

Objectives: Aim of this study was to characterize the procedural outcome and risk-factors of patients with indwelling 1- and 2-chamber ICD undergoing TLE.

Methods: We conducted a subgroup analysis of all ICD patients in the GALLERY (GermAn Laser Lead Extraction RegistrY) database.

Safety and Efficacy of Excimer Laser Powered Lead Extractions in Obese Patients: A GALLERY Subgroup Analysis.

Background: The incidence of cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED)-related complications, as well as the prevalence of obesity, is rising worldwide. Transvenous laser lead extraction (LLE) has grown into a crucial therapeutic option for patients with CIED-related complications but the impact of obesity on LLE is not well understood.

Methods And Results: All patients ( = 2524) from the GermAn Laser Lead Extraction RegistrY (GALLERY) were stratified into five groups according to their body mass index (BMI, <18.

Prognostic impact of implantable cardioverter defibrillators and associated adverse events in patients with continuous flow left ventricular assist devices.

Objectives: Implantation of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) reduces the risk of all-cause mortality in symptomatic heart failure (HF) patients with severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Nevertheless, the prognostic impact of ICD therapy in continuous flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) recipients remains controversial.

Methods: 162 consecutive HF patients, who underwent LVAD implantation at our institution between 2010 and 2019, were categorized according to the presence () or absence ( of ICDs.

Valvular Cardiomyopathy in Aortic Valve Regurgitation Correlates with Myocardial Fibrosis.

At the tissue level, disruption of the extracellular matrix network leads to irreversible cardiac fibrosis, which contributes to myocardial dysfunction. At the myocyte level, downregulation of beta-adrenoceptors (beta-AR) reduces adaptation to increased workload. The aim of our study was to analyse the correlation between myocardial fibrosis and beta-AR sensitivity in patients with aortic valve (AV) disease.

Perioperative Arrhythmias.

Background: Perioperative arrhythmias are common depending on the type of the operation and can increase morbidity and mortality.

Methods: This review is based on pertinent publications retrieved by a selective search in PubMed, as well as the relevant European guidelines.

Results: Arrhythmias are seen in more than 90% of cardiac operations; they are usually transient and often asymptomatic.

Minimally invasive epicardial left-ventricular lead implantation and simultaneous left atrial appendage closure.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in patients with heart failure resulting in a high prevalence of AF in patients receiving Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) implantation. In patients, unsuitable for transvenous left ventricular (LV)-lead implantation, epicardial LV-lead implantation represents a valuable alternative. Epicardial LV-lead placement can be achieved totally thoracoscopical or minimally invasive left lateral thoracotomy.

Phosphodiesterase 8 governs cAMP/PKA-dependent reduction of L-type calcium current in human atrial fibrillation: a novel arrhythmogenic mechanism.

Aims: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with altered cAMP/PKA signaling and an AF-promoting reduction of L-type Ca2+-current (ICa,L), the mechanisms of which are poorly understood. Cyclic-nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) degrade cAMP and regulate PKA-dependent phosphorylation of key calcium-handling proteins, including the ICa,L-carrying Cav1.2α1C subunit.

Resting membrane potential is less negative in trabeculae from right atrial appendages of women, but action potential duration does not shorten with age.

Aims: The incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) increases with age. Women have a lower risk. Little is known on the impact of age, sex and clinical variables on action potentials (AP) recorded in right atrial tissue obtained during open heart surgery from patients in sinus rhythm (SR) and in longstanding AF.

Atrial Fibrillation and Transvenous Lead Extraction-A Comprehensive Subgroup Analysis of the GermAn Laser Lead Extraction RegistrY (GALLERY).

Background: Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia and has been described as driver of cardiovascular morbidity and risk factor for cardiac device-related complications, as well as in transvenous lead extraction (TLE). Objectives: Aim of this study was to characterize the procedural outcome and risk-factors of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing TLE. Methods: We performed a subgroup analysis of all AF patients in the GALLERY (GermAn Laser Lead Extraction RegistrY) database.

Complete Left-Atrial Lesion Set versus Pulmonary Vein Isolation Only in Patients with Paroxysmal AF Undergoing CABG or AVR.

: In patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing CABG or aortic valve surgery, many surgeons are not willing to open the left atrium to perform a complete left-sided Cox-Maze lesion set. Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is often favored in those patients. We investigated the outcome of patients with isolated pulmonary vein isolation compared to those receiving an extended left atrial (LA) lesion set.

Antegrade axillary arterial perfusion in 3D endoscopic minimally-invasive mitral valve surgery.

Background: Minimally-invasive (MIS) mitral valve (MV) surgery has become standard therapy in many cardiac surgery centers. While femoral arterial perfusion is the preferred cannulation strategy in MIS mitral valve surgery, retrograde arterial perfusion is known to be associated with an increased risk for cerebral atheroembolism, particularly in atherosclerosis patients. Therefore, antegrade perfusion may be beneficial in such cases.

Transvenous lead extraction in patients with systemic cardiac device-related infection-Procedural outcome and risk prediction: A GALLERY subgroup analysis.

Background: Transvenous lead extraction (TLE) has evolved as one of the most crucial treatment options for patients with cardiac device-related systemic infection (CDRSI).

Objective: The aim of this study was to characterize the procedural outcome and risk factors of patients with CDRSI undergoing TLE.

Methods: A subgroup analysis of patients with CDRSI of the GALLERY (GermAn Laser Lead Extraction RegistrY) database was performed.

Case report of a large lipoma discovered intraoperatively in a chronically irritated implantable cardioverter-defibrillator pocket.

Background: The implantation of cardiac implantable electronic devices is a globally established therapy to treat cardiac arrhythmias with low complication rates. Apart from technical problems, however, complications can arise from the implanted material. This can lead to bleeding, infections, or chronic irritation of the generator pocket, resulting in swellings, seromas, perforations, or fistulas.