Erectile dysfunction: role of computed tomography cavernosography in the diagnosis and treatment planning of venous leak.

Background: Venous leak appears to be the most common cause of vasculogenic erectile dysfunction (ED), which can be treated with venous embolization. Traditionally, conventional cavernosography was used for the diagnosis and treatment planning of venous leak. Recently, computed tomography (CT) cavernosography was introduced as a novel cross-sectional imaging method proposed to be advantageous over conventional cavernosography.

The Effect of Local Anesthetics on Neutrophils in the Context of Different Isolation Techniques.

Various functions of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) are related to diseases and postoperative plasma changes. The influence of some local anesthetics (LAs) on PMNs obtained by conventional isolation methods and their functions has already been demonstrated. This study investigates the effect of selected LAs on PMNs, comparing a new isolation method with conventional ones.

Validation of days alive and out of hospital as a new patient-centered outcome to quantify life impact after heart transplantation.

The number of patients waiting for heart transplantation (HTX) is increasing. Thus, identification of outcome-relevant factors is crucial. This study aimed to identify perioperative factors associated with days alive and out of hospital (DAOH)-a patient-centered outcome to quantify life impact-after HTX.

Long-Term Effectiveness and Safety of Femoropopliteal Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty : 5-Year Results of the Randomized Controlled EffPac Trial.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess 5-year effectiveness and safety of femoropopliteal angioplasty with the Luminor® 35 drug-coated balloon (DCB).

Materials And Methods: The EffPac trial was a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial that enrolled 171 patients of Rutherford category 2 to 4 with medium length femoropopliteal lesions. Patients were allocated 1:1 to either Luminor® 35 DCB angioplasty or plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA).

Impact of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation of Donors on Days Alive and Out of Hospital after Orthotopic Heart Transplantation.

Background: The number of patients waiting for heart transplantation (HTX) is increasing. Optimizing the use of all available donor hearts is crucial. While mortality seems not to be affected by donor cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the impact of donor CPR on days alive and out of hospital (DAOH) is unclear.

Days alive and out of hospital after left ventricular assist device implantation.

Aims: Implantation of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) as a bridge to transplant or as destination therapy is increasing. The selection of suitable patients and outcome assessment belong to the key challenges. Mortality has traditionally been a focus of research in this field, but literature on quality of life is very limited.

Life impact of VA-ECMO due to primary graft dysfunction in patients after orthotopic heart transplantation.

Aims: Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is a feared complication after heart transplantation (HTX). HTX patients frequently receive veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) until graft recovery. Long-term mortality of patients weaned from VA-ECMO after HTX is comparable with non-ECMO patients.

Risk Factors for Acute Kidney Injury Requiring Renal Replacement Therapy after Orthotopic Heart Transplantation in Patients with Preserved Renal Function.

Acute kidney injury (AKI), requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT). is a serious complication after orthotopic heart transplantation (HTX). In patients with preexisting impaired renal function, postoperative AKI is unsurprising.

The analysis of left ventricular ejection fraction after minimally invasive surgery for primary mitral valve regurgitation.

Background: Although minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) has become the first choice for primary mitral regurgitation (MR) in recent years, clinical evidence in this field is yet limited. The main focus of this study was the analysis of preoperative (Pre), postoperative (Post), and 1-year follow-up (Fu) data in our series of MIMVS to identify factors that have an impact on the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) evolution after MIMVS.

Methods: We reviewed the perioperative and 1-year follow-up data from 436 patients with primary MR (338 isolated MIMVS und 98 MIMVS combined with tricuspid valve repair) to analyze patients' baseline characteristics, the change of LV size, the postoperative evolution of LVEF and its factors, and the clinical outcomes.

Enzymatic activity of extracellular circulating proteasome in the CSF of patients with malignant Intrinsic and metastatic brain tumors: proof of concept.

Background: Malignant intrinsic brain tumors are a hazardous disease with limited life expectancy despite intensive research in new targeted treatment options. Lately, proteasome inhibitors have been identified as potent agents causing death in glioma cell lines. It is the aim of the present study to identify proteasomal activity in the CSF of patients suffering from malignant brain tumors.

The Impact of Intraoperative Patient Blood Management on Quality Development in Cardiac Surgery.

Objectives: Patient blood management (PBM) is increasingly introduced into clinical practice. Minimizing effects on transfusion have been proven, but relevance for clinical outcome has been sparsely examined. In regard to this, the authors analyzed the impact of introducing intraoperative PBM to cardiac surgery.

Osteopontin as novel biomarker for reversibility of pressure overload induced left ventricular hypertrophy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of osteopontin (OPN) as a marker for left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and its reversibility after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Echocardiographic data and OPN plasma levels of 149 consecutive patients undergoing SAVR were obtained preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively. OPN was measured by Quantikine Human OPN immunoassay.

Fibrinolysis and the Influence of Tranexamic Acid Dosing in Cardiac Surgery.

Objective: The present study aimed to determine whether underlying disease, performed surgery, and dose of tranexamic acid influence fibrinolysis measured with D-dimer levels.

Design: Retrospective analysis.

Setting: Single institution (Department of Cardiac Surgery and Section of Clinical Hemostaseology at the Düsseldorf University Hospital).

The Course of Circulating Small Extracellular Vesicles in Patients Undergoing Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement.

In the last years, increasing efforts have been devoted to investigating the role of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) in cardiovascular diseases. These nano-sized particles (30-150 nm), secreted by different cell types, contain signalling molecules that enable participation in intercellular communication processes. In this study, we examined the course of circulating sEVs in patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and correlated them with echocardiographic and standard blood parameters.

Cornea donation in Germany: Obtaining consent.

Tissue donation is important to reverse cornea-related blindness. Unfortunately, the willingness to make a decision concerning organ and tissue donation while still alive remains low despite all efforts. By analyzing anonymized archived data from 25 654 next-of-kin interviews from our database over a period of 5 years (2013-2018), it was found that only 20.

Drug-coated Balloon Angioplasty of Femoropopliteal Lesions Maintained Superior Efficacy over Conventional Balloon: 2-year Results of the Randomized EffPac Trial.

Background Paclitaxel drug-coated balloon (DCB) catheter angioplasty is the preferred treatment for revascularization of femoropopliteal lesions in peripheral artery disease, but mortality is a safety concern. Purpose To assess 2-year efficacy and safety of DCB angioplasty compared with conventional balloon angioplasty (also known as plain old balloon angioplasty or POBA). Materials and Methods This prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial enrolled consecutive participants with symptomatic superficial femoral and/or popliteal artery disease at 11 German centers between September 2015 and December 2016.

Impact of Ca-Sensitive Potassium Channels in Levosimendan-Induced Postconditioning.

Purpose: Small and big conductance Ca-sensitive potassium (K) channels are involved in cardioprotective measures aiming at reducing myocardial reperfusion injury. For levosimendan, infarct size-reducing effects were shown. Whether activation of these channels is involved in levosimendan-induced postconditioning is unknown.

Efficacy and safety of a novel paclitaxel-nano-coated balloon for femoropopliteal angioplasty: one-year results of the EffPac trial.

Aims: Although paclitaxel drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty is an established endovascular treatment for peripheral artery disease, restenosis remains a major concern. Thus, we compared a novel paclitaxel-coated DCB with nano-coating technology with uncoated plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA).

Methods And Results: This multicentre trial randomly assigned 171 patients with stenotic and occlusive lesions of the femoropopliteal artery to angioplasty with a novel DCB or uncoated POBA.

The age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index in minimally invasive mitral valve surgery.

Objectives: Mitral valve repair is the preferred method used to address mitral valve regurgitation, whereas transcatheter mitral valve repair is recommended for high-risk patients. We evaluated the risk-predictive value of the age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (aa-CCI) in the setting of minimally invasive mitral valve surgery.

Methods: The perioperative course and 1-year follow-up of 537 patients who underwent isolated or combined minimally invasive mitral valve surgery were evaluated for 1-year mortality as the primary end point and other adverse events.

Effectiveness of the Pulsar-18 self-expanding stent with optional drug-coated balloon angioplasty in the treatment of femoropopliteal lesions - the BIOFLEX PEACE All-Comers Registry.

Previous studies showed favorable results after treatment of femoropopliteal lesions with the Pulsar-18 self-expanding (SE) nitinol stent. The objective of this registry was to evaluate whether these results will be confirmed in a real-world setting with varying stenting strategies. In this prospective, observational trial, 160 patients with 186 femoropopliteal lesions were treated with the Pulsar-18 SE nitinol stent at 9 German sites.

Meta-analysis of Individual Patient Data After Kissing Stent Treatment for Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease.

Purpose: To evaluate short- and long-term technical and clinical outcomes after kissing stent treatment of aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD) based on an individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis.

Materials And Methods: A search of the Scopus database identified 156 articles on KS treatment of AIOD; of these 22 met the inclusion criteria. Authors of 19 articles with contact information were approached to join an IPD consortium.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: portal vein recanalisation and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for portal vein thrombosis.

Background: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt has been increasingly used in patients with portal vein thrombosis to obtain patency, but evidenced-based decisions are challenging.

Aim: To evaluate published data on efficacy and safety of endovascular therapy in portal vein thrombosis.

Methods: Systematic search of PubMed, ISI, Scopus, and Embase for studies (in English, until October 2017) reporting feasibility, safety, 12-month portal vein recanalisation, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt patency, and survival in patients with benign portal vein thrombosis undergoing endovascular treatment.

Preconditioning by Levosimendan is Mediated by Activation of Mitochondrial Ca-Sensitive Potassium (mBK) Channels.

Purpose: Activation of mitochondrial large-conductance Ca-sensitive potassium (mBK)-channels is a crucial step for cardioprotection by preconditioning. Whether activation of these channels is involved in levosimendan-induced preconditioning is unknown. We investigated if cardioprotection by levosimendan requires activation of mBK-channels in the rat heart in vitro.