Leadless Pacemaker Infection Risk in Patients with Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Infections: A Case Series and Literature Review.

(1) Background: Leadless pacemakers (LPs) have been proposed as a reimplantation strategy in pacing-dependent patients undergoing cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) extraction for infection. In this study, we analysed the risk of LP infection when this device is implanted before lead extraction. (2) Methods: This was a retrospective study including patients who underwent LP implantation between 2017 and 2022.

The impact of dual antiplatelet therapy administration on the risk of bleeding complications during coronary artery bypass surgery.

Introduction: Dual antiplatelet therapy reduces the risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction and recurrence of adverse ischemic events in patients affected by acute coronary syndromes, but in patients urgently needing coronary artery surgery it can increase the risk of severe perioperative bleeding complications.

Aim: We evaluated the impact of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) based on acetylsalicylic acid plus clopidogrel or ticagrelor in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Material And Methods: Three hundred and thirty-three patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting with DAPT discontinuation > 72 hours or 3-4 days (group A, = 159), 48-72 hours or 2-3 days (group B, = 126), < 24 hours or 0-1 day (group C, = 24) prior to CABG.

Surgical "elephant trunk" arch replacement with a branched arch prosthesis: two alternative operative techniques.

Introduction: Elephant trunk repair of the aortic arch cannot be performed with a branched prosthesis.

Aim: We conceived two different modifications of the original technique to perform an arch replacement with a branched graft, while arranging an adequate landing zone for a subsequent thoracic endovascular aortic repair, without the need of dedicated material.

Material And Methods: Eight consecutive patients underwent arch replacement with one of our techniques.

A Novel Endosurgical Prosthesis to Treat Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm in Complex Anatomy or Emergency Settings.

Background:  Despite improvements in operative techniques, open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair is complex and characterized by high mortality and morbidity rate. Less invasive techniques have been developed since 2005 for the treatment of TAAA. Unfortunately, many of these devices require custom fabrication, resulting in delay of many weeks until treatment can be delivered but crucial in critical emergency cases.

Role of Rutin in 5-Fluorouracil-Induced Intestinal Mucositis: Prevention of Histological Damage and Reduction of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress.

Intestinal mucositis, characterized by inflammatory and/or ulcerative processes in the gastrointestinal tract, occurs due to cellular and tissue damage following treatment with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Rutin (RUT), a natural flavonoid extracted from , exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective, and gastroprotective properties. However, the effect of RUT on inflammatory processes in the intestine, especially on mucositis promoted by antineoplastic agents, has not yet been reported.

Troxerutin Prevents 5-Fluorouracil Induced Morphological Changes in the Intestinal Mucosa: Role of Cyclooxygenase-2 Pathway.

Intestinal mucositis is a common complication associated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a chemotherapeutic agent used for cancer treatment. Troxerutin (TRX), a semi-synthetic flavonoid extracted from , has been reported as a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of TRX on 5-FU-induced intestinal mucositis.

Clinical outcome and hemodynamic performance of St. Jude Trifecta aortic prosthesis: short-term follow-up and risk factors analysis.

Background: We retrospectively analysed the short-term outcome of the third-generation St. Jude Trifecta aortic prosthesis.

Methods: Between December 2014 and December 2017, 177 patients (mean age 75.

Protective Effect of Cashew Gum (Anacardium occidentale L.) on 5-Fluorouracil-Induced Intestinal Mucositis.

Intestinal mucositis is a common complication associated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a chemotherapeutic agent used for cancer treatment. Cashew gum (CG) has been reported as a potent anti-inflammatory agent. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of CG extracted from the exudate of L.

Coronary endarterectomy: an old tool for patients currently operated on with coronary artery bypass grafting. Long-term results, risk factor analysis.

Aim: Coronary endarterectomy (CE) may provide a useful adjunctive technique to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with diffuse coronary artery disease. Nevertheless, the incidence of complications still remains high, long-term results remain unclear, and no risk factors for late mortality have been completely described yet.

Material And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 90 consecutive patients (67 ±8.

Mitral Valve Repair with a Semi-Rigid C-Band Annuloplasty Ring in Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation: Still a Viable Surgical Option?

Background: Ischemic mitral valve regurgitation (IMR) develops in approximately 10% of patients after myocardial infarction. Surgical management of IMR is controversial, as many series have failed to demonstrate the superiority of mitral valve repair (MVRep) over mitral valve replacement (MVR) in IMR. Moreover, in the setting of MVRep, the choice of ring type is the subject of much debate.

Cold crystalloid versus warm blood cardioplegia in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement.

Background: Myocardial protection techniques during cardiac arrest have been extensively investigated in the clinical setting of coronary revascularization. Fewer studies have been carried out of patients affected by left ventricular hypertrophy, where the choice of type and temperature of cardioplegia remain controversial. We have retrospectively investigated myocardial injury and short-term outcome in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement plus or minus coronary artery bypass grafting with using cold crystalloid cardioplegia (CCC) or warm blood cardioplegia (WBC).

Long-Term Results of Aortic Root Surgery in Marfan Syndrome Patients: A Single-Center Experience.

Background And Aim Of The Study: The study aim was to compare long-term results of Marfan syndrome (MFS) patients affected by aortic root disease undergoing aortic root replacement with the Bentall or David operation.

Methods: Since 1994, a total of 59 patients has been followed at the authors' Marfan Center, having undergone either a Bentall operation (Bentall group, n = 30) or a David operation (David group, n = 29).

Results: No operative mortality was recorded.

An Unexpected Risk Factor for Early Structural Deterioration of Biological Aortic Valve Prostheses.

Background: An alarming rate of early failure has been recently reported for the LivaNova (previously Sorin) Mitroflow (LivaNova, London, UK) bioprosthesis. Here, we aimed at verifying if this possible underperformance is confirmed in a large, single-center experience and identifying the risk factors associated with early deterioration.

Methods: In all, 459 Mitroflow valves have been implanted from July 2009 to December 2013 (patients' mean age 73 years; 204 women).

Bicuspid aortic root spared during ascending aorta surgery: an update of long-term results.

Background: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) aortopathy is well known in literature even if only few data exist regarding isolated supra-coronary aneurysm with normally functioning valve and root. Aim of this study is to clarify the long-term fate of bicuspid aortic root spared at the time of ascending aorta surgery.

Methods: We identified forty-seven patients (mean age, 57±11 y; range, 35-81 y, 31 males) who were treated by means of supracoronary aortic replacement in presence of normally functioning BAV and not significantly enlarged sinues of Valsalva.

Can Perceval sutureless valve reduce the rate of patient-prosthesis mismatch?†.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to compare the theoretical incidence of patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM) in patients undergoing a sutureless or a sutured aortic valve replacement using an exact statistical matching.

Methods: Between May 2012 and March 2016, 65 patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis underwent a sutureless aortic valve replacement with the Perceval bioprosthesis in 2 centres. Moreover, 177 aortic valve replacements with conventional sutured bioprosthesis were performed between August 2003 and September 2015.

Total Arch versus Hemiarch Replacement for Type A Acute Aortic Dissection: A Single-Center Experience.

We retrospectively evaluated early and intermediate outcomes of aortic arch surgery in patients with type A acute aortic dissection (AAD), investigating the effect of arch surgery extension on postoperative results. From January 2006 through July 2013, 201 patients with type A AAD underwent urgent corrective surgery at our institution. Of the 92 patients chosen for this study, 59 underwent hemiarch replacement (hemiarch group), and 33 underwent total arch replacement (total arch group) in conjunction with ascending aorta replacement.

Single versus double antiplatelet therapy in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with coronary endarterectomy: mid-term results and clinical implications.

Objectives: Coronary endarterectomy (CE) represents a useful adjunctive technique to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in the presence of diffuse coronary artery disease. Nevertheless, the long-term patency of the graft remains unclear, and no standard anticoagulation and antiplatelet protocols exist for use after CE. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate and possibly to clarify the role of single (SAT) versus dual antiplatelet therapy (DAT) at mid-term follow-up.

A Ternary Zn-Al-Ir Hydrotalcite-Like Compound Exhibiting High Efficiency and Recyclability as a Water Oxidation Catalyst.

Herein it is shown that hydrotalcite-like compounds (HTlcs), doped with a suitably reactive metal, can efficiently act as water oxidation catalysts. As a case study, a ternary HTlc of formula [Zn Al Ir (OH) ]Cl ⋅0.6 H O, in which iridium is homogeneously distributed into the octahedral sites of brucite-type sheets, was prepared and tested as a heterogeneous water oxidation catalyst, using NaIO as a sacrificial oxidant.

Valve Replacement with a Sutureless Aortic Prosthesis in a Patient with Concomitant Mitral Valve Disease and Severe Aortic Root Calcification.

Aortic valve replacement with concomitant mitral valve surgery in the presence of severe aortic root calcification is technically difficult, with long cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp times. We performed sutureless aortic valve replacement and mitral valve annuloplasty in a 68-year-old man who had severe aortic stenosis and moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation. Intraoperatively, we found severe calcification of the aortic root.

A structural and (1)H NMR relaxometric study on novel layered carboxyalkylaminophosphonate nanocrystals with Gd(III) ions located in the framework.

Novel Gd(III) carboxyalkylphosphonate nanocrystals were synthesized under mild hydrothermal conditions. Structural properties and (1)H NMR relaxometric behaviour in aqueous solution as a function of the magnetic field strength were investigated, aiming to evaluate the local chemical environment of the paramagnetic centres and their interaction and affinity with water molecules.

Nocturia is the Lower Urinary Tract Symptom With Greatest Impact on Quality of Life of Men From a Community Setting.

Purpose: Lower urinary tract symptoms are numerous, but the specific impact of each of these symptoms on the quality of life (QoL) has not been evaluated in community-dwelling men. An assessment of these symptoms and their effects on QoL was the focus of this study.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study with 373 men aged >50 years from a community setting.

Surgical treatment of aortic valve regurgitation secondary to ascending aorta aneurysm: is adjunctive subcommissural annuloplasty necessary?

Background: Subcommissural aortic annuloplasty (SCA) has been recommended for treatment of functional aortic regurgitation (AR), but its association with sinotubular junction adjustment is still controversial.

Methods: Sixty patients with moderate or severe functional AR secondary to proximal ascending aorta aneurysm operated on between May 2004 and December 2010 were reviewed. Forty patients underwent SCA and ascending aorta repair (SCA group; mean age, 65 ± 9 years) and 20 underwent ascending aorta repair alone (non-SCA group; mean age, 69 ± 8 years).

Left atrial radiofrequency ablation associated with valve surgery: midterm outcomes.

Background: Left atrial ablation is a surgical standard technique for the treatment of persistent or chronic atrial fibrillation (p-AF and c-AF, respectively).Objective The aim of the study is to evaluate midterm results of left atrial ablation according to modified Maze procedure in patients affected by p-AF or c-AF and concomitant mitral or aortic valve disease requiring surgical treatment.

Methods: A total of 108 patients (age, mean ± standard deviation [SD]: 66 ± 8.

Mitral valve repair for the treatment of degenerative mitral valve disease with or without prosthetic ring annuloplasty: long-term outcomes.

Aim: Aim of the study was to evaluate late outcomes of mitral valve repair with and without the use of prosthetic ring annuloplasty and standardized techniques for the treatment of degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR).

Methods: Three hundred and five patients (mean age 62 ± 12 years) underwent mitral valve repair between January 1992 and February 2010 for degenerative MR. In the last five years, all repair techniques were performed routinely using prosthetic ring annuloplasty, with or without quadrangular or triangular resection of posterior leaflet and/or edge-to-edge technique.