Bilateral internal thoracic artery versus single internal thoracic artery: a meta-analysis of propensity score-matched observational studies.

The lack of benefit in terms of mid-term survival and the increase in the risk of sternal wound complications published in a recent randomized controlled trial have raised concerns about the use of bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) in myocardial revascularization surgery. For this reason, we decided to explore the current evidence available on the subject by carrying out a meta-analysis of propensity score-matched studies comparing BITA versus single internal thoracic artery (SITA). PubMed, EMBASE and Google Scholar were searched for propensity score-matched studies comparing BITA versus SITA.

[Aortic valve sparing in 120 patients with aortic root aneurysms].

Introduction And Objectives: Several aortic valve sparing techniques have been described for the treatment of aortic root aneurysms. We report our experience using the reimplantation technique in 120 patients.

Methods: Between March 2004 and October 2010, 120 patients with aortic root aneurysms underwent David operations.

Endocarditis caused by Arthrographis kalrae.

Arthrographis kalrae is an uncommon etiology in clinical fungal infections. We describe a patient with native aortic valve endocarditis and aortic pseudoaneurysm caused by this agent who required multiple cardiac procedures.