A Genome-Wide Association Study of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection Severity in Infants.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a significant cause of infant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Most children experience at least one 1 RSV infection by the age of two 2 years, but not all develop severe disease. However, the understanding of genetic risk factors for severe RSV is incomplete.

LIMA to LAD grafting returns patient survival to age-matched population: 20-year outcomes of MIDCAB surgery.

Objectives: Previous studies have demonstrated the safety and excellent short-term and mid-term survival after minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB). We reviewed the long-term outcomes up to 20 years, including overall survival and freedom from reintervention.

Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent MIDCAB between February 1997 and August 2020 were identified.

Post-operative outcomes of inflammatory thoracic aortitis: a study of 41 patients from a cohort of 1119 surgical cases.

Aortitis is found in 2-12% of thoracic aortic aneurysm repair/replacement surgeries. Yet little is known about such patients' post-operative outcomes or the role of post-operative corticosteroids. The study was undertaken across three tertiary referral hospitals in Sydney, Australia.

Should cardiac surgery be delayed in patients with uncorrected hypothyroidism?

A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was: 'should cardiac surgery be delayed in patients with uncorrected hypothyroidism?' A total of 1412 papers were found using the reported search, of which 7 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated.

'Is totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting compared with minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting associated with superior outcomes in patients with isolated left anterior descending disease?'.

A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was 'Is totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting compared with minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting associated with superior outcomes in patients with isolated left anterior descending disease?' Altogether more than 118 papers were found using the reported search, of which 4 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question, which included 2 prospective cohort studies and 2 retrospective observational studies. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers were tabulated.

In patients undergoing dialysis who require a valve replacement is a bioprosthetic valve superior to a mechanical prosthesis in terms of long-term survival and morbidity?

A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was 'In [dialysis patients undergoing a valve replacement] is [a bioprosthetic valve superior to a mechanical prosthesis] for [long-term survival and morbidity]'. Altogether more than 501 papers were found using the reported search, of which five represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question.

Operative Results of Mitral Valve Repair and Replacement in Chronic Ischaemic Mitral Valve Regurgitation.

Background: Ischaemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) carries significant morbidity and mortality. Surgical management includes coronary artery bypass surgery alone or concomitant with mitral valve repair or replacement. There is ongoing debate regarding the appropriate approach to the mitral valve in relation to long-term outcomes.

Mitral valve surgery and coronary artery bypass grafting for moderate-to-severe ischemic mitral regurgitation: Meta-analysis of clinical and echocardiographic outcomes.

Objective: This meta-analysis was conducted to compare clinical and echocardiographic outcomes following isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) versus CABG and mitral valve (MV) surgery in patients with moderate-to-severe ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR).

Methods: Seven databases were systematically searched to identify relevant studies. For eligibility, studies were required to report on the primary endpoint of perioperative or late mortality.

Musculoskeletal Injury Profile of Circus Artists: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Background: The circus arts involve a high degree of acrobatic, athletic, and aesthetic ability with extreme physical demands placed on performers. An understanding of the injury profile is required to guide prevention.

Aim: To provide the first systematic review to enhance understanding of circus-related injuries and to provide a foundation for future preventative intervention.

Operative Outcomes with Myxomatous Mitral Valve Repair: Experience with 586 Patients.

Introduction: American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines recommend mitral valve repair for myxomatous mitral regurgitation whenever possible to prevent LV dysfunction and early mortality. Here we review our early operative outcomes with mitral valve repair for myxomatous mitral regurgitation.

Methods: We collected data from 586 consecutive patients that underwent mitral repair for myxomatous disease at the Prince Henry and Prince of Wales Hospitals Sydney between 1997 and 2012.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement: Meta-Analysis of Clinical Outcomes and Cost-Effectiveness.

Objective: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has emerged as a feasible alternative treatment to conventional surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) for high-risk patients with aortic stenosis. The present systematic review aimed to assess the comparative clinical and cost-effectiveness outcomes of TAVI versus AVR, and meta-analyse standardized clinical endpoints.

Methods: An electronic search was conducted on 9 online databases to identify all relevant studies.

A meta-analysis of mitral valve repair versus replacement for ischemic mitral regurgitation.

Background: The development of ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) portends a poor prognosis and is associated with adverse long-term outcomes. Although both mitral valve repair (MVr) and mitral valve replacement (MVR) have been performed in the surgical management of IMR, there remains uncertainty regarding the optimal approach. The aim of the present study was to meta-analyze these two procedures, with mortality as the primary endpoint.

A meta-analysis of robotic vs. conventional mitral valve surgery.

Objectives: The present study is the first meta-analysis to compare the surgical outcomes of robotic vs. conventional mitral valve surgery in patients with degenerative mitral valve disease.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify all relevant studies with comparative data on robotic vs.

Systematic review of percutaneous interventions for malignant pericardial effusion.

The present systematic review assessed the safety and efficacy of percutaneous interventions for malignant pericardial effusion (MPE), with primary endpoint of recurrence of pericardial effusion. Electronic searches of six databases identified thirty-one studies, reporting outcomes following isolated pericardiocentesis (n=305), pericardiocentesis followed by extended catheter drainage (n=486), pericardial instillation of sclerosing agents (n=392) or percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy (PBP) (n=157). Isolated pericardiocentesis demonstrated a pooled recurrence rate of 38.

Type 2 diabetes presenting with hyperglycaemic hyperosmolar state in an adolescent renal transplant patient.

Hyperglycaemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) is a life-threatening condition rarely seen in paediatrics. It is becoming increasingly recognised with the growing incidence of childhood type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We present a 16-year-old boy with Bardet-Biedl syndrome, with comorbidities including chronic renal impairment requiring renal transplant, isolated growth hormone (GH) deficiency and obesity, who presented on routine follow-up with new onset T2DM and in HHS.

Reduced efficacy of transcatheter and surgical revascularization in Takayasu arteritis.

A 55-year-old woman with newly diagnosed Takayasu arteritis was followed for 7 years, during which time she underwent bare metal stenting, drug eluting stenting and coronary bypass grafting for critical coronary and renal artery stenoses. Interventions were initially successful but restenosis occurred within 24 months for all modalities. In contrast, native vessel disease was largely stable after the introduction of immunosuppressive therapy.