Uncovering the treatable burden of severe aortic stenosis in the UK.

Objective: To estimate the population prevalence and treatable burden of severe aortic stenosis (AS) in the UK.

Methods: We adapted a contemporary model of the population profile of symptomatic and asymptomatic severe AS in Europe and North America to estimate the number of people aged ≥55 years in the UK who might benefit from surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) or transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Results: With a point prevalence of 1.

Left ventricular blood flow kinetic energy is associated with the six-minute walk test and left ventricular remodelling post valvular intervention in aortic stenosis.

Background: Left ventricular (LV) kinetic energy (KE) assessment by four-dimensional flow cardiovascular magnetic resonance (4D flow CMR) may offer incremental value over routine assessment in aortic stenosis (AS). The main objective of this study is to investigate the LV KE in patients with AS before and after the valve intervention. In addition, this study aimed to investigate if LV KE offers incremental value for its association to the six-minute walk test (6MWT) or LV remodelling post-intervention.

Incidence and predictors of postoperative ischemic stroke after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Background: Data on the incidence and outcomes of ischemic stroke in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in the current era are limited. The goal of this study was to examine contemporary trends, predictors, and outcomes of ischemic stroke following CABG in a large nationally representative database over a 12-year-period.

Methods: The National Inpatient Sample was used to identify all adult (≥18 years) patients who underwent CABG between 2004 and 2015.

Small-Molecule Inhibitors Targeting Sterol 14α-Demethylase (CYP51): Synthesis, Molecular Modelling and Evaluation Against Candida albicans.

Fungal infections are a global issue affecting over 150 million people worldwide annually, with 750 000 of these caused by invasive Candida infections. Azole drugs are the frontline treatment against fungal infections; however, resistance to current azole antifungals in C. albicans poses a threat to public health.

Amaze: a randomized controlled trial of adjunct surgery for atrial fibrillation.

Objectives: Atrial fibrillation (AF) reduces survival and quality of life (QoL). It can be treated at the time of major cardiac surgery using ablation procedures ranging from simple pulmonary vein isolation to a full maze procedure. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of adjunct AF surgery as currently performed on sinus rhythm (SR) restoration, survival, QoL and cost-effectiveness.

Atrial myxomas: a single unit's experience in the modern era.

Background: Although an atrial myxoma is the commonest cardiac tumor, it is still relatively rare, with an annual incidence of approximately 0.5 per million. In our unit, which performs 1000 major cardiac procedures per year, this equates to approximately 3 patients annually.

Two-center prospective randomized controlled trial of Blake versus Portex drains after cardiac surgery.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of two drain types after cardiac surgery in a randomized controlled trial, with primary outcome measure being depth of pericardial effusion 3 to 5 days after drain removal.

Methods: A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted at two university hospitals. A total of 199 patients undergoing first-time cardiac procedures were randomized at surgery to receive either small-bore flexible Blake drains (19F) or larger Portex drains (28F).

The importance of 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring after thoracic organ transplantation.

Background: Hypertension is a significant complication after thoracic organ transplantation. In the non-transplant population, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (24ABPM) is useful in the diagnosis of white-coat hypertension, the assessment of resistant hypertension, and the monitoring of anti-hypertensive therapy. The loss of nocturnal reductions in blood pressure is associated with hypertensive end-organ damage.

Elective transplant pneumonectomy in a 38-year-old man.

Transplant pneumonectomy is a rarely performed procedure. It is occasionally carried out in the course of retransplantation. To our knowledge, resection of a transplanted lung without its replacement and with successful outcome in the adult has not been previously reported.

Comparison of two strategies for the management of antiplatelet therapy during urgent surgery.

Background: The optimal management of aspirin and clopidogrel therapy before surgery in patients with acute coronary syndrome is uncertain. Aspirin and clopidogrel within 5 days of surgery increases postoperative bleeding and reexploration. However, in acute coronary syndrome patients the risk of bleeding must be balanced against the risks of discontinuing the treatment and delaying surgery.

A prospective randomised comparison of cardiotomy suction and cell saver for recycling shed blood during cardiac surgery.

Objective: Post-operative neuropsychological complications correlate with intra-operative microemboli in the middle cerebral artery. When severe neurological complications follow cardiac surgery, diffuse cerebral fat emboli are present at autopsy. Recycling shed blood with cardiotomy suction is an important source of cerebral fat microemboli.