Commentary: Is Arterial Cannulation Inevitable for Acute Type A Aortic Dissection Repair?

See Article page 380.

A parametric study regarding structural design of a bioprosthetic aortic valve by 3D fluid-structure interaction simulations.

Since the introduction of transcatheter aortic valve (AV) implantation as a viable option, surgical bioprosthetic AVs have recently started incorporating shorter struts considering future valve-in-valve procedures. However, the effect of leaflet coaptation geometry on the longevity of these valves remains unexplored. To address this gap, we performed a finite element analysis on bioprosthetic AVs with varying strut heights using a two-way fluid-structure interaction method.

Fate of descending aorta after acute type A aortic dissection repair.

Background: Reports on the residual descending aortic dissection (AD) after acute type A AD (TAAD) repair has been limited. Therefore, we evaluated the fate of descending aorta in patients who underwent acute TAAD repair.

Methods: We reviewed 299 patients (mean: 60.

Impact of amlodipine on clinical outcomes for heart failure in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy: a Korean nationwide cohort study.

Introduction: Amlodipine, widely used as a first-line treatment for hypertension, has inconclusive clinical evidence regarding its efficacy in patients with heart failure. This retrospective cohort study aimed to investigate the clinical effectiveness of amlodipine treatment after hospitalization for heart failure in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMP).

Methods: A total of 20,851 patients who were diagnosed with DCMP and admitted for heart failure between 2005 and 2016 according to Korean nationwide medical insurance service database were enrolled.

Prognosis of Unrepaired Ascending Aorta after the Surgical Replacement of Bicuspid Aortic Valves.

Background: The surgical threshold for bicuspid aortic valve (BAV)-related aortopathy is a matter of debate due to its uncertain etiology and prognosis. This study investigated the prognosis of unrepaired BAV aortopathy in patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 720 patients (age, 60.

Unilateral versus bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion during surgical repair for patients with acute type A aortic dissection.

Objectives: To compare unilateral versus bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) techniques on cerebral protection during acute type A aortic dissection repair.

Methods: Using an institutional database, we retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent acute type A aortic dissection repair with selective ACP techniques from October 2008 to December 2019. Primary end point was the detection of neurologic dysfunctions.

Clinical benefits of concomitant surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery.

Background: The maze procedure is the dominant concomitant surgery performed with mitral valve (MV) surgery in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Most clinical recommendations regarding the maze procedure depend on the individual maze expert centers.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical benefits of the maze procedure during MV surgery in a national cohort.

Spontaneous Resolution of Iatrogenic Aortic Dissection After Coronary Arterial Stenting.

Although rare, coronary arterial angiography carries a life-threatening risk of iatrogenic aortic dissection (AD). Given the paucity of data, an optimal treatment option for iatrogenic AD is a conundrum. In this report, we present our experience of spontaneous resolution of AD in a patient with catheter-driven iatrogenic AD during coronary arterial intervention.

Prognostic impact of the E/e' ratio in patients with chronic severe aortic regurgitation undergoing aortic valve replacement.

Objectives: The study objective was to evaluate the clinical implication of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with chronic severe aortic regurgitation undergoing aortic valve replacement.

Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 323 patients (age, 56.3 ± 14.

Pericardial Versus Porcine Valves for Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background And Objectives: There still are controversies on which type between bovine pericardial and porcine valves is superior in the setting of aortic valve replacement (AVR). This study aims to compare clinical outcomes of AVR using between pericardial or porcine valves.

Methods: The study involved consecutive 636 patients underwent isolated AVR using stented bioprosthetic valves between January 2000 and May 2016.

Long-Term Outcomes of Surgical Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: Impact of Ablation Lesion Sets.

Background: The lesion sets for surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) that provide optimal outcomes have remained controversial.

Objectives: We evaluated the effects of left-atrial (LA) ablation of AF compared with bi-atrial (BA) ablation on the clinical and rhythm outcomes, and examined the predictors for AF recurrence and permanent pacing in consideration of ablation lesion sets.

Methods: Between 2001 and 2018, 1,965 patients underwent surgical ablation during cardiac surgery at our institution.

Impact of valve repair on mild tricuspid insufficiency in rheumatic mitral surgery.

Objective: Tricuspid valve repair for mild tricuspid regurgitation during rheumatic mitral valve surgery is controversial. We evaluated the benefit of tricuspid valve repair for mild tricuspid regurgitation in rheumatic mitral valve surgery.

Methods: Among 1208 consecutive patients (52.

The fate of aortic valve after rheumatic mitral valve surgery.

Objective: Deterioration of the native aortic valve function by a late progression of rheumatic disease is not infrequent in patients who underwent rheumatic mitral valve surgery; however, this phenomenon has not been clearly quantified.

Methods: A total of 1155 consecutive patients (age 52.0 ± 12.

Exclusion versus preservation of the left atrial appendage in rheumatic mitral valve surgery.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of left atrial appendage exclusion on clinical outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing rheumatic mitral surgery.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 1226 consecutive patients with AF (54.5±11.

A Huge Pericardial Gossypiboma Causing Severe Cardiac Dysfunction.

Gossypiboma-a surgical cotton matrix inadvertently left in the body cavity-is a rare postoperative complication, especially after cardiac surgery. We report a patient who presented with severe cardiac dysfunction caused by a huge pericardial gossypiboma that was detected 30 years after the previous cardiac surgery. This case delineates the serious medical consequences caused by pericardial gossypiboma and suggests considering gossypiboma as a differential diagnosis of a pericardial mass in patients with a history of cardiac surgery.

Surgical Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Undergoing Bioprosthetic Valve Replacement.

Background: Scarce data have been reported on the efficacy of concomitant atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation in patients undergoing bioprosthetic valve replacement.

Methods: From 2001 and 2014, 146 consecutive patients (69.3±9.

Concomitant ablation of atrial fibrillation in rheumatic mitral valve surgery.

Objective: Efficacy of atrial fibrillation ablation in rheumatic mitral valve disease has been regarded inferior to that in nonrheumatic diseases. This study aimed to evaluate net clinical benefits by the addition of concomitant atrial fibrillation ablation in rheumatic mitral valve surgery.

Methods: Among 1229 consecutive patients with atrial fibrillation from 1997 to 2016 (54.

A Minimally Invasive Approach for the Treatment of Mid-Aortic Syndrome in Takayasu Arteritis.

A 61-year-old woman who presented with claudication and dyspnea on exertion was found to have severe calcified narrowing of the descending aorta and severe insufficiency of the aortic valve. These findings were compatible with Takayasu arteritis. To treat these hemodynamic abnormalities, extra-aortic bypass surgery combined with replacement of the aortic valve and ascending aorta-to-hemiarch replacement was performed through a separated upper hemi-sternotomy and limited median laparotomy.

Aortic Root Reimplantation in a Patient Who Underwent an Arterial Switch Operation.

Neo-aortic insufficiency associated with root enlargement following an arterial switch operation is a serious late complication. To achieve successful surgical correction of this condition, multiple factors should be considered, including the individual patient's anatomy, the challenging nature of the redo procedure, and the patient's young age. However, limited publications have described the use of valve-sparing techniques for the treatment of neo-aortic insufficiency associated with root enlargement following an arterial switch operation.