Impact of Body Mass Index on the Initial Phase of a Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Program.

Background:  In obese patients, minimally invasive surgical aortic valve replacement (MIS-AVR) presents challenges, and the risk of patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM) is elevated. This retrospective single-center study evaluates the impact of body mass index (BMI) on the outcome of an initial MIS-AVR program.

Material And Methods:  A total of 307 patients underwent MIS-AVR between January 2013 and December 2015, the initial phase of our MIS-AVR program.

Conduction Disorders after Rapid Deployment Aortic Valve Replacement Compared to Conventional Aortic Valve Replacement.

Objectives:  We evaluated and compared early postprocedural and midterm incidence and evolution of atrioventricular and intraventricular conduction disorders following rapid deployment aortic valve replacement (RDAVR) and conventional aortic valve replacement (AVR).

Materials And Methods:  One hundred and forty-seven patients who underwent isolated rapid deployment AVR between 2017 and 2021 as well as 128 patients after conventional biological AVR in the same period were included in this study. ECGs recorded at baseline, discharge, and 12 months were retrospectively analyzed.

Orbitofrontal cortex to dorsal striatum circuit is critical for incubation of oxycodone craving after forced abstinence.

Relapse is a major challenge in treating opioid addiction, including oxycodone. During abstinence, oxycodone seeking progressively increases, a phenomenon termed incubation of oxycodone craving. We previously demonstrated a causal role of orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) in this incubation.

Transcaval and Intracardiac Extension of Type A Thymoma and Myxoma: A Report of Two Rare Cases.

We report two cases of rare invasive tumors presenting with transvenous and intracardiac extensions. In one instance, an unusual invasive thymoma type A penetrated into the heart chamber; the other case was an extension of a myxoma into the right atrium that was associated with superior vena cava syndrome. Our interest was stimulated by the rarity of these clinicopathological observations and the unusual clinical features of diagnostic and therapeutic methods presented by these cases.

Preprocedural assessment of coronary artery disease in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation: Rationale and design of the EASE-IT CT registry.

Background: Invasive coronary angiography (ICA) is the standard for pre-procedural assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). However, it requires hospitalization and can be associated with complications. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) may be a viable alternative to rule out prognostically relevant CAD.

Recent Advances in Understanding the Human Fungal Pathogen Hypoxia Response in Disease Progression.

Fungal-mediated disease progression and antifungal drug efficacy are significantly impacted by the dynamic infection microenvironment. At the site of infection, oxygen often becomes limiting and induces a hypoxia response in both the fungal pathogen and host cells. The fungal hypoxia response impacts several important aspects of fungal biology that contribute to pathogenesis, virulence, antifungal drug susceptibility, and ultimately infection outcomes.

Nucleated red blood cells are a predictor of mortality in patients under extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Background: The presence of Nucleated Red Blood Cells (NRBCs) in critically ill patients is associated with higher mortality and poor prognosis. Although patients on extracorporeal support such as veno-venous or veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV/VA-ECMO) are severely ill, NRBCs have rarely been investigated regarding their predictive value so far.

Methods: As part of a retrospective study, we examined all cardiothoracic surgery patients from July 2019 to September 2020 who received ECMO treatment during their inpatient stay.

Recruitment strategies to increase racial and ethnic diversity in anorexia nervosa clinical research.

Objective: Inclusion of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups in eating disorder (ED) research is a critical unmet need, but evidence-based recruitment strategies are lacking. We sought to determine whether methods we had implemented to increase recruitment of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups were successful in improving racial and ethnic diversity in a clinical trial in women with anorexia nervosa.

Method: We implemented new strategies for recruitment of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups in a clinical trial on bone health in women with anorexia nervosa, including leveraging social media, liberalizing language on advertisements to be more inclusive of women who are as yet undiagnosed with the disorder or feel stigmatized by its name, translating advertisements to Spanish, and engaging community health centers.

Urgent Endovascular Aortic Repair Requiring Coverage of the Left Subclavian Artery.

Background:  Evaluation of the optimal left subclavian artery (LSA) management during thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) involving the distal aortic arch in an urgent setting.

Methods:  A total of 52 patients with acute aortic syndromes underwent TEVAR (March 2017 to May 2021) requiring proximal landing in the distal aortic arch. Decision for partial or complete LSA ostial endograft coverage, with or without additional bypassing, was made depending upon the aortic pathology and vascular anatomy.

Deficits in volumetric bone mineral density, bone microarchitecture, and estimated bone strength in women with atypical anorexia nervosa compared to healthy controls.

Objective: Anorexia nervosa is associated with low bone mineral density (BMD) and deficits in bone microarchitecture and strength. Low BMD is common in atypical anorexia nervosa, in which criteria for anorexia nervosa are met except for low weight. We investigated whether women with atypical anorexia nervosa have deficits in bone microarchitecture and estimated strength at the peripheral skeleton.

Pediatric reference values of alkaline phosphatase: Analysis from a German population-based cohort and influence of anthropometric and blood parameters.

Background: Due to different growth and metabolic processes, reference values of alkaline phosphatase (AP) for children aged 3 month to 18 years are dependent on age and sex. They are not constant and differ from those of adults due to the growth processes taking place. Accordingly, reference levels of AP continuous across these ages were generated for boys and girls based on of a large German health- and population-based study, LIFE Child.

Statin loading before coronary artery bypass grafting: a randomized trial.

Aims: Evidence suggests that a high-dose statin loading before a percutaneous coronary revascularization improves outcomes in patients receiving long-term statins. This study aimed to analyse the effects of such an additional statin therapy before surgical revascularization.

Methods And Results: This investigator-initiated, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial was conducted from November 2012 to April 2019 at 14 centres in Germany.

Minimally Invasive versus Conventional Aortic Root Surgery: Results of an Intermediate-Volume Center.

Background:  We evaluate the outcome of aortic root surgery via an upper J: -shaped mini-sternotomy (MS) versus full sternotomy (FS) in an intermediate-volume center.

Methods:  Between November 2011 and February 2019, 94 consecutive patients underwent aortic root surgery: 62 (66%) patients were operated via a J: -shaped MS (group A) and 32 (34%) patients via FS (group B). The primary endpoints were mortality, major adverse cardiac and cerebral events (MACCE), and reoperation in a 2-year follow-up.

Modified transapical-transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background And Aim: Some transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) candidates present with ubiquitary arterial disease with massive calcification burden and stenoses in the whole arterial tree and cannot undergo any transvascular TAVI-approach. Moreover, a history of previous coronary surgery including LIMA-LITA bypass grafting, previous carotid surgery or stenosis/occlusions, a concomitant porcelain aorta, Leriche syndrome, diverse other aortic diseases, arterial occlusions, or a chronic dialysis with arteriovenous shunt are common in such patients with end-stage peripheral artery disease, making even a minimal artery access impossible. For patients without arterial access or at very high risk for artery injury, we modified the transapical-TAVI method to ensure artery-no-touch-technique.

Long-term Follow up after Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Lower Risk Patients Using the Balloon-Expandable Bioprosthesis: Gender-Dependent Outcomes.

Introduction: Long-term data on gender-related outcomes after transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TF-TAVI) using newer generations heart valves in lower-risk patients are sparse. We aimed to evaluate gender-dependent long-term outcomes after TF-TAVI in lower-risk patients using the third-generation balloon expandable bioprosthesis.

Methods: Data of 103 patients undergoing TF-TAVI using the third-generation balloon expandable bioprosthesis were analyzed.

Real-world 6-month outcomes of minimally invasive aortic valve replacement with the EDWARDS INTUITY Elite valve system.

Objectives: We report on real-world safety and performance outcomes of minimally invasive rapid-deployment aortic valve replacement using the EDWARDS INTUITY Elite aortic valve system.

Methods: The study valve system was used in a European, prospective, multicentre post-market study. Various procedural, haemodynamic and clinical outcomes were evaluated through 6 months of post-implant.

Transapical-transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patients without transvascular options: Modified transapical approach.

Objectives: Outcomes in patients with iliofemoral and concomitant iliofemoral-remote arteriopathies who cannot undergo transfemoral or other alternative transvascular approaches have not been studied so far. This study aimed to evaluate the early and midterm outcomes after transapical (TA)-transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in patients with femoral and femoral-remote arteriopathies who cannot undergo transvascular approaches.

Methods: Multimorbid patients with severe aortic stenosis and distinct panarteriopathy underwent TA-TAVI treatment between January 2012 and January 2021 at the authors' institution.

Cytokine Hemoadsorption During Cardiac Surgery Versus Standard Surgical Care for Infective Endocarditis (REMOVE): Results From a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Cardiac surgery often represents the only treatment option in patients with infective endocarditis (IE). However, IE surgery may lead to a sudden release of inflammatory mediators, which is associated with postoperative organ dysfunction. We investigated the effect of hemoadsorption during IE surgery on postoperative organ dysfunction.

Early-Term Results of Rapid-Deployment Aortic Valve Replacement versus Standard Bioprosthesis Implantation Combined with Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Objectives: Aortic stenosis is highly prevalent among patients with concomitant coronary artery disease. Surgical aortic valve replacement with coronary artery bypass grafting is usually the treatment of choice for patients with severe aortic stenosis and significant coronary disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome and hemodynamic results of the implantation of rapid-deployment valves (Rapid-Deployment Edwards Intuity Valve System [RDAVR]) versus conventional sutured valves (CSAVR) in combined surgery.

Outcomes in Patients with Left Bundle Branch Block after Rapid Deployment Aortic Valve Replacement.

Objectives: Increased rates of postoperative left bundle branch block (LBBB) and permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) frequently occur after implantation of rapid deployment valves. The impact of LBBB on follow-up outcomes remains controversial. So far, no data regarding long-term outcomes exist.

Long-Term Outcomes After Transfemoral-Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Very Old Patients Using the Balloon-Expandable Bioprosthesis.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) can be safely performed in old patients. Increasing longevity raises often the question whether TAVI can be still useful for patients beyond a certain age limit. Data on long-term outcomes of elderly patients after TAVI are sparse.

Efficacy of Auricular Acupuncture and Lavender Oil Aromatherapy in Reducing Preinterventional Anxiety in Cardiovascular Patients: A Randomized Single-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Auricular acupuncture at the "relaxation point" and lavender oil aromatherapy can reduce preoperative anxiety associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Data on the effect of combined auricular acupuncture and lavender oil aromatherapy in patients undergoing cardiovascular interventions with the use of local anesthesia or under conscious sedation are sparse. The authors sought to evaluate the efficacy of auricular acupuncture and lavender oil aromatherapy in reducing preinterventional anxiety in cardiovascular patients.

Transapical-transcatheter aortic valve implantation using the Edwards SAPIEN 3 valve.

Background: Scarcely any data has been published on the mid-term effect of transapical-transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TA-TAVI) using the Edwards SAPIEN 3 valve (S3; Edwards Lifesciences Corp., Irvine, CA, USA). We present mid-term clinical and echocardiographic outcomes after TA-TAVI utilizing S3.