Alteration of inflammatory response by shock wave therapy leads to reduced calcification of decellularized aortic xenografts in mice†.

Objectives: Tissue-engineered xenografts represent a promising treatment option in heart valve disease. However, inflammatory response leading to graft failure and incomplete in vitro repopulation with recipient cells remain challenging. Shock waves (SWs) were shown to modulate inflammation and to enhance re-epithelialization.

Simple adaptations of surgical technique to critically reduce the risk of postoperative sternal complications in patients receiving bilateral internal thoracic arteries.

Objectives: Limited blood supply to the thoracic chest wall is a known risk factor for sternal wound complications after CABG. Therefore, bilateral internal thoracic arteries are still rarely utilized despite their proven superior graft patency. The aim of our study was to analyse whether modification of the surgical technique is able to limit the risk of sternal wound complications in patients receiving bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting.

Second internal thoracic artery versus radial artery in coronary artery bypass grafting: a long-term, propensity score-matched follow-up study.

Background: The best second arterial conduit for multiple arterial revascularization (MAR) is still a matter of debate. Previous studies on the benefit of either using the radial artery (RA) or the right internal thoracic artery (RITA) in coronary artery bypass grafting are not conclusive. The aim of our study was to compare the perioperative and long-term outcome of either RA or RITA grafts as second conduits for MAR.

Mediastinal liposarcoma.

A 64-year-old male underwent surgical resection of a large liposarcoma of the mediastinum. The management of this unusual tumor is the subject of this case report.

Propensity score-matched analysis of aortic valve replacement by mini-thoracotomy.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Although minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (MIAVR) through an anterolateral mini-thoracotomy has been shown to reduce surgical trauma, the technique is utilized only at a few selected heart surgery centers. The study aim was to demonstrate the implementation of a MIAVR program at the Innsbruck Medical University, Austria.

Methods: Between October 2006 and January 2009, a total of 315 patients underwent elective isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR).

A passive magnetically and hydrodynamically suspended rotary blood pump.

A combined hydrodynamic-magnetic bearing allows the design of rotary blood pumps that are not encumbered with mechanical bearings and magnets requiring sensors or electrical power. However, such pumps have so far needed very small and accurately manufactured gaps between rotor and housing to assure effective hydromagnetic bearing behavior. In order to use this concept in disposable pump heads, a design that allows larger rotor-housing gaps, and thus larger manufacturing tolerances, is needed.

The accuracy of the Vigileo/FloTrac continuous cardiac output monitor.

Objective: The Vigileo/FloTrac system (software version 1.01; Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA) determines cardiac output, without calibration, by analysis of the arterial pulse wave. To assess the accuracy of the Vigileo/FloTrac system, it was compared with the pulmonary artery catheter bolus thermodilution method as the current standard method.

Robotic technology-probably a safe tool for development of completely endoscopic coronary revascularization procedures.

Background: : Totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting (TECAB) requires telemanipulation technologies because attempts using conventional thoracoscopic instrumentation have completely failed. These complex operations require individual and team learning curves and necessitate a stepwise approach. The aim of this study is to assess risk adjusted outcome in robotically assisted coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) after the first 6 years of application.

Evaluation of cardiac scoring models for an Austrian cardiac register.

The Austrian Health 2006 Structural Plan of 28 June 2006 requires that reference centres for heart surgery 'participate in result-quality registers (e.g. cardiac registers)'.

Does gender affect outcome of cardiac surgery in octogenarians?

The long-term results of cardiac surgery in 212 consecutive octogenarians (116 men, 96 women) were reviewed retrospectively. Preoperative functional status, Euroscore, and the incidences of hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were similar in both sexes. Women had more diabetes mellitus (45% versus 25%; p < 0.