Long-term outcomes of concomitant Cox-Maze III procedure in patients with aortic valve diseases and preoperative atrial fibrillation.

Background: There was limited evidence on the clinical benefits of the concomitant Cox-Maze procedure with aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients with atrial fibrillation. This study aimed to evaluate the early and long-term results of the concomitant Cox-Maze procedure in patients undergoing AVR for aortic valve disease.

Methods: We enrolled 101 patients who underwent AVR and had preoperative atrial fibrillation between January 1994 and December 2020.

Impact of perioperative high-intensity statin treatment on the occurrence of postoperative atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting: a meta-analysis.

Background: This meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the impact of high-intensity statin treatment on new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods: Four databases were searched for studies that enrolled patients who underwent CABG and investigated the impact of perioperative use of high-intensity statins on the occurrence rate of POAF. The primary outcome was the incidence of POAF.

Impact of High-intensity Statin on Atrial Fibrillation after Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass.

Background:  There is uncertainty regarding the impact of high-intensity statins on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing surgical myocardial revascularization. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of high-intensity statin treatment on the occurrence rate of new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB).

Methods:  Six hundred and thirteen patients (66.

Early and mid-term outcomes of tricuspid valve surgery in patients with functional tricuspid regurgitation induced by atrial fibrillation.

Background: The strategy of treatment for tricuspid regurgitation (TR) induced by atrial fibrillation (AF) has not been established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of surgical treatment for TR induced by AF.

Methods: From 2000 to 2021, a total of 1,301 patients underwent tricuspid valve (TV) surgery.

Incidence and risk factors of acute kidney injury after maze operation in patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the most common complications after cardiac surgery. While current guidelines indicate that surgical ablation does not increase the risk of renal failure, recent studies have produced conflicting results. This study was conducted to evaluate the incidence of AKI after maze procedure in patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease and atrial fibrillation, and to elucidate risk factors associated with postoperative AKI.

The Impact of Surgical versus Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement on Postprocedural Acute Kidney Injury in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the treatment modality on post-procedural acute kidney injury (AKI) and other clinical outcomes in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease who underwent surgical or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (AVR).

Methods: A total of 147 patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (stage 3 to 5) who underwent isolated surgical AVR (SAVR group; n=70) or transcatheter AVR (TAVR group; n=77) were retrospectively studied. Postprocedural AKI was defined according to the RIFLE definition (an acronym corresponding to the risk of renal dysfunction, injury to the kidney, failure of kidney function, loss of kidney function, and end-stage kidney disease).

Perfusion parameters during cardiopulmonary bypass as a predictor of acute kidney injury after aortic valve replacement.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major complication after cardiac surgery and significantly affects postoperative mortality and morbidity. This study was conducted to evaluate the association between target pump flow to achieve adequate oxygen delivery (DO2) and postoperative renal function after aortic valve replacement.

Methods: From January 2017 to May 2020, 281 patients (male:female, 160:121; mean age, 68±11 years) who underwent aortic valve replacement were retrospectively reviewed.

Suture reduction of the borderline ascending aortic dilatation during aortic valve replacement.

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of simple suture reduction of the ascending aorta (SRA) performed with aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients with borderline ascending aortic dilatation (45-50 mm).

Methods: Ninety-eight patients (ascending aortic diameter 47.7±3.

Incidence and Risk Factors of Pannus after Mechanical Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the occurrence rate and risk factors of subaortic pannus (SAP) after bileaflet mechanical aortic valve (AV) replacement.

Methods: Between 1990 and 2014, 862 patients underwent primary AV replacement with bileaflet mechanical prosthesis. SAP was defined as (1) gradual increase in mean pressure gradient through mechanical AV without any evidence of motion limitation of the leaflets on echocardiography and (2) AV mean pressure gradient >40 mm Hg or AV peak velocity >4 m/s on echocardiography, and (3) any visible subaortic tissue ingrowth beneath the mechanical AV on echocardiography or computed tomography.

Effect of Perioperative Subglottic Secretion Drainage on Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia After Cardiac Surgery: A Retrospective, Before-and-After Study.

Objectives: Although postoperative subglottic secretion drainage prevents ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) after cardiac surgery, its role during the perioperative period is unclear. For the present study, the effect of subglottic secretion drainage during and after cardiac surgery on postoperative VAP was investigated.

Design: Retrospective, single-center, before-and-after study.

Optimal Tricuspid Annular Size for Tricuspid Annuloplasty in Patients with Less-Than-Moderate Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation.

Background: We evaluated the association between tricuspid annular dilatation and the development of moderate or severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Additionally, we determined the optimal tricuspid annular dilatation threshold to use as an indicator for tricuspid annuloplasty in patients with less-than-moderate functional TR (FTR).

Methods: Between August 2007 and December 2014, 227 patients with less-than-moderate TR underwent mitral valve surgery without a tricuspid valve (TV) procedure.

Equivalent 10-year angiographic and long-term clinical outcomes with saphenous vein composite grafts and arterial composite grafts.

Objectives: We compared 10-year graft patency rates and long-term clinical outcomes after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting using the saphenous vein composite grafts based on the left internal thoracic artery with those using total arterial composite grafts.

Methods: A total of 483 patients who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting using composite grafts based on the left internal thoracic artery were included. The saphenous vein was used as a second (connected to the left internal thoracic artery; n = 63) or a third (connected to the second arterial graft; n = 40) composite graft in 103 patients (SV group); total arterial composite grafting was performed in 380 patients (ART group).

Long-term outcomes of rigid ring versus De Vega annuloplasty for functional tricuspid regurgitation: A propensity score-matching analysis.

Objective: This study was conducted to compare the outcomes of rigid ring versus De Vega annuloplasty for the treatment of functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR).

Methods: From 2003 to 2017, De Vega annuloplasty (group D) was used in 231 patients, and rigid ring annuloplasty (group R) was used in 204 patients for the treatment of functional TR during left-sided valve surgery. A propensity score-matching analysis was used to pair group D (n = 109) with group R (n = 109).

Bilateral Internal Thoracic Artery In Situ Versus Y-Composite Graftings: Long-term Outcomes.

Background: We compared 10-year graft patency rates and long-term clinical outcomes after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting using bilateral internal thoracic arteries (ITAs) as in situ grafts with those using bilateral ITAs as Y-composite grafts.

Methods: Of 509 patients who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting using bilateral ITAs, bilateral ITAs were used as in situ grafts in 172 patients (group I) and as Y-composite grafts in 337 patients (group Y). A propensity score-matched analysis was used to match group I patients (n = 153) with group Y patients (n = 153).

Thoracic Scoliosis in Patients with Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax.

Background: Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) affects patients without clinically apparent lung disorder found in tall and thin young male. Scoliosis refers to curves exceeding 10° Cobb angle observed through chest X-ray and affects 2% to 4% of adolescents. Both conditions are commonly encountered in primary health care setting.

Unusual Pseudoaneurysm of the Dorsalis Pedis Artery after an Iatrogenic Injury.

Aneurysm and pseudoaneurysm of the dorsalis pedis artery (DPA) are rare vascular entities. Pseudoaneurysms of the DPA are commonly due to blunt trauma, sharp penetrating injury, fracture, or iatrogenic injury. Herein, we report the case of a patient with a rare iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm that occurred after blood sampling.

Analysis of Sternal Fixation Results According to Plate Type in Sternal Fracture.

Background: Sternal fractures are relatively rare, and caused mainly by blunt anterior chest wall trauma. In most cases, sternal fractures are treated conservatively. However, if the patient exhibits problematic symptoms such as intractable chest wall pain or bony crepitus due to sternal instability, surgical correction is indicated.

Surgical Treatment of Sternoclavicular Joint Dislocation Using a T-plate.

A 22-year-old man was hospitalized with a sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) dislocation caused by a traffic accident. Surgical reduction and fixation of the SCJ were performed using a T-plate. SCJ dislocation is rare, accounting for less than 1% of all dislocations, and is usually treated conservatively, although severe cases may require surgery.

Cicatricial Fibromatosis Diagnosis after Suspected Local Recurrence at the Bronchial Stump Following Lobectomy for Lung Cancer.

A mass excision surrounding the bronchial stump was performed to exclude malignancy in a 42-year-old man who had undergone a right lower lobectomy for lung cancer. The mass was identified as a cicatricial fibroma. Cicatricial fibromatosis, which is desmoid fibromatosis that arises in a surgical scar, is a well-known clinical condition.

Clinical evolution of pure upper motor neuron disease/dysfunction (PUMMD).

Introduction: PLS is defined as pure upper motor neuron disease/dysfunction (PUMND) beyond 48 months after symptom onset. We know little about its early stages, but such knowledge would help to identify the mechanisms underlying PLS and ALS and determine why PLS patients seem to be protected against lower MND (LMND).

Methods: We reviewed 622 MND cases during a 4-year period and identified 34 patients with PUMND (5.

Copy number variations of chromosome 17p13.1 might be linked to high risk of lung cancer in heavy smokers.

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death worldwide. Smoking is known as the strongest single factor in the development of lung cancer. However, there are inherited genetic factors that cause different responses to cigarette smoking exposure among individuals.