Post-myocardial infarction ventricular septal defects: incidence and treatment trends during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a serious complication of myocardial infarction (MI), with its global incidence significantly reduced in recent years due to advances in coronary reperfusion techniques. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an unexpected rise in the incidence of post-MI VSD, likely driven by delays in seeking treatment. This study retrospectively analyzed 10 cases of post-MI VSD treated at our hospitals from March 2018 to August 2023, comparing incidence rates across pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic periods.

Minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation versus conventional cardiopulmonary bypass in patients undergoing cardiac surgery (MiECS): Rationale and design of a multicentre randomised trial.

Introduction: The ultimate answer to the question whether minimal invasive extracorporeal circulation (MiECC) represents the optimal perfusion technique in contemporary clinical practice remains elusive. The present study is a real-world study that focuses on specific perfusion-related clinical outcomes after cardiac surgery that could potentially be favourably affected by MiECC and thereby influence the future clinical practice.

Methods: The MiECS study is an international, multi-centre, two-arm randomized controlled trial.

Advancements in Donation after Circulatory Death Heart Procurement and Preservation: A Comprehensive Review of Recent Innovations.

Introduction: The persistent shortage of donor hearts for transplantation has prompted exploration into Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD) as a promising avenue for organ procurement. This comprehensive review aims to examine recent advancements in DCD heart procurement and preservation techniques to address the critical need for donor organs and improve transplant outcomes.

Materials And Methods: A systematic review was conducted to identify relevant studies and innovations related to DCD heart procurement and preservation.

Management algorithms and artificial intelligence systems for cardiopulmonary bypass.

This article introduces management algorithms to support operators in choosing the best strategy for metabolic management during cardiopulmonary bypass using artificial intelligence systems. We developed algorithms for the identification of the optimal way for assessing metabolic parameters. Different management algorithms for extracorporeal procedures interfaced with metabolic monitoring systems already exist on the market and are applied in clinical practice.

Transradial approach for carotid artery stenting: A position paper from the Italian Society of Interventional Cardiology (SICI-GISE).

Carotid artery stenting (CAS) is a valid and effective alternative to endoatherectomy when performed by experienced operators. The conventional approach used is the transfemoral one, but in the last 10 years a transradial (TR) approach, the standard access for cardiac catheterization, became widely adopted for peripheral vascular interventions, included the extracranial carotids. Preliminary experiences suggest this approach as safe and effective, especially in specific anatomical and clinical settings that have been shown to be associated with high risk of complications from the femoral route.

Water Condensation and Gas Exchange Correlation in Different Models and Fibers of Blood Oxygenators: "How Can We Improve Performance?".

Creation of water condensation in blood oxygenators is a phenomenon that is constantly present during cardiopulmonary bypass and in medium- to long-term extracorporeal life support. Clinical observation of condensation at the oxygenator exit is still a common event normally associated with sudden cooling of the gas flow proximal to the outlet cover (after exiting the fiber bundle), where the warming effect of blood is no longer present. Condensation could progressively obstruct a certain number of fibers, reducing the efficiency of gaseous exchange in the membrane of the oxygenator surface.

[Dyslipidemia management for secondary prevention in cardiovascular disease: from guidelines to clinical practice].

Despite improvements in the treatment and prevention of risk factors (i.e. dyslipidemia), cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in countries with a high degree of socio-economic development.

[A strategic roadmap of the Italian Society of Interventional Cardiology (SICI-GISE) to ensure patient's access to appropriate treatment].

In comparison with the international scenario, in Italy the penetration of several important scientific and technological innovations in the field of cardiovascular intervention appears to be inadequate both in terms of number of patients treated with respect to the actual need, and inhomogeneity between the different geographical areas of the country. One of the main institutional objectives of the Italian Society of Interventional Cardiology (SICI-GISE) is to develop a roadmap to guarantee homogeneous access throughout the whole national territory to treatments that are recommended by the major international guidelines. The present document focuses on four main areas of cardiovascular intervention: (i) transcatheter treatment of aortic valve stenosis, (ii) percutaneous mitral valve repair, (iii) prevention of cardioembolic stroke through percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, (iv) optimization of coronary revascularization with the aid of the functional study of coronary lesions.

Fibonacci's Golden Ratio-An Innovative Approach to the Design and Management of Extra-Corporeal Circulation.

Technological advances in the field of extracorporeal circulation (ECC) over the past decade have led to numerous methods for monitoring metabolism and coagulation during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), as well as materials with improved biocompatibility, which has reduced the risk associated with cardiopulmonary bypass. However, ECC is still predominantly based on a traditional design that involves the use of roller pumps. This exposes the patient to a variety of pathophysiological consequences, both intra- and postoperative, such as postoperative cognitive disorders, hemolysis and hemodilution, systemic inflammation and changes in coagulation.