Mitral valve repair with the semi-rigid Memo 4D annuloplasty ring: early clinical and echocardiographic outcomes from the MANTRA study.

Objectives: Memo 4D is a semi-rigid ring with an exclusive saddle shape and progressive increased anteroposterior diameter. This preliminary analysis reports 30-day clinical and haemodynamic outcomes of the MANTRA Memo 4D sub-study.

Methods: MANTRA is an 'umbrella' prospective, multicentre, worldwide post-market study to collect real-life safety and performance data on the Corcym devices.

Inherited kidney disease and CAKUT are common causes of kidney failure requiring kidney replacement therapy: an ERA Registry study.

Background: Inherited kidney diseases (IKD) and congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) are causes of kidney failure requiring kidney replacement therapy (KRT) that major renal registries usually amalgamate into the primary renal disease (PRD) category 'miscellaneous' or in the glomerulonephritis or pyelonephritis categories. This makes IKDs invisible (except for polycystic kidney disease) and may negatively influence the use of genetic testing, which may identify a cause for IKDs and some CAKUT.

Methods: We have re-examined the etiology of KRT by composing a separate IKD and CAKUT PRD group using data from the European Renal Association (ERA) Registry.

Lactate Dehydrogenase Levels after Aortic Valve Replacement: What Do They Tell Us?

Introduction:  Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is a standard postoperative marker for hemolysis in the presence of paravalvular leakage (PVL) after replacement of the aortic valve (AVR). LDH is elevated in certain valves by a fluttering phenomenon. Previous studies suggested a correlation between microparticles (MPs) and LDH elevation after AVR.

Effect of Propofol Versus Sevoflurane on Erections during Narcosis in Transurethral Surgery: The PENIS Trial.

Penile erection is unwanted during transurethral interventions as it may be associated with adverse events such as impaired access, prolonged operation time, abortion of the procedure, or a need for ancillary measures to reach penis flaccidity, such as intracorporeal injection of vasoactive drugs. In recent years, anesthesia with propofol has been favored over sevoflurane for environmental reasons. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no prospective randomized clinical trials evaluating the impact of general narcosis medications on the risk of such unwanted penile erections during transurethral surgery.

Milestones in Surgical Complication Reporting: Clavien-Dindo Classification 20 Years and Comprehensive Complication Index 10 Years.

Objective: To provide improved guidance for the consistent application of the Clavien-Dindo classification (CDC) and Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI ® ) in challenging clinical scenarios.

Background: Standardized outcome reporting is key for the proper assessment of surgical procedures. A recent consensus conference recommended the CDC and the CCI ® for assessing postoperative morbidity.

A comparative analysis of open heart surgery and minimally invasive cardiac surgery in exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation.

Background: Historically, the majority of patients admitted to inpatient exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (EBCR) have undergone open heart surgery (OHS). However, with advances in minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS), these patient groups are also increasingly referred for inpatient EBCR. Herein, we aimed to compare the progress of these groups during rehabilitation.

Changes in the epidemiology of kidney replacement therapy across Europe in 2020-the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: an ERA Registry study.

Background: In 2020, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused disruptions in kidney replacement therapy (KRT) services worldwide. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 on the incidence of KRT, kidney transplantation activity, mortality and prevalence of KRT across Europe.

Methods: Patients receiving KRT were included from 17 countries providing data to the European Renal Association Registry.

External stenting for saphenous vein grafts reduces early postoperative graft failure.

Objectives: Multiple studies have shown that external stenting (ExSt) mitigates the progression of vein graft disease years after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We used computed tomography to evaluate the effect of ExSt on perioperative vein graft patency.

Methods: This study assessed graft patency rates of saphenous vein grafts (SVG) in consecutive patients with isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) between 2018 and 2021.

The role of hemoadsorption in cardiac surgery - a systematic review.

Background: Extracorporeal blood purification has been widely used in intensive care medicine, nephrology, toxicology, and other fields. During the last decade, with the emergence of new adsorptive blood purification devices, hemoadsorption has been increasingly applied during CPB in cardiac surgery, for patients at different inflammatory risks, or for postoperative complications. Clinical evidence so far has not provided definite answers concerning this adjunctive treatment.

A case series of eight amateur athletes: exercise-induced pre-/syncope during the Zurich Marathon 2023.

Background: Marathon running poses unique cardiovascular challenges, sometimes leading to syncopal episodes. We present a case series of athletes who experienced pre-/syncope during the Zurich Marathon 2023, accompanied by elevated cardiac biomarkers.

Case Summary: Eight athletes (2 females, 6 males) aged 21-35 years, with pre-/syncope and various additional diverse symptoms such as dizziness and palpitations during the (half-)marathon, were admitted to two emergency departments in Zurich, Switzerland.

Predictors of anastomotic leak and conduit necrosis after oesophagectomy: Results from the oesophago-gastric anastomosis audit (OGAA).

Background: Both anastomotic leak (AL) and conduit necrosis (CN) after oesophagectomy are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the identification of preoperative, modifiable risk factors is desirable. The aim of this study was to generate a risk scoring model for AL and CN after oesophagectomy.

Case report of pulmonary vein isolation in situs inversus totalis.

Background: Situs inversus totalis (SIT) is a rare condition, where all the organs in the body are mirrored. Atrial fibrillation occurs in patients with SIT. We describe the case of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in SIT.

Thirteen Years of Impactful, Minimally Invasive Coronary Surgery: Short- and Long-Term Results for Single and Multi-Vessel Disease.

Objectives: Minimally invasive coronary surgery (MICS) via lateral thoracotomy is a less invasive alternative to the traditional median full sternotomy approach for coronary surgery. This study investigates its effectiveness for short- and long-term revascularization in cases of single and multi-vessel diseases.

Methods: A thorough examination was performed on the databases of two cardiac surgery programs, focusing on patients who underwent minimally invasive coronary bypass grafting procedures between 2010 and 2023.

Impact of a High-Fat Diet at a Young Age on Wound Healing in Mice.

As the prevalence of juvenile-onset obesity rises globally, the multitude of related health consequences gain significant importance. In this context, obesity is associated with impaired cutaneous wound healing. In experimental settings, mice are the most frequently used model for investigating the effect of high-fat diet (HFD) chow on wound healing in wild-type or genetically manipulated animals, e.

Beyond Conventional Operations: Embracing the Era of Contemporary Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery.

Over the past two decades, minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) has gained a significant place due to the emergence of innovative tools and improvements in surgical techniques, offering comparable efficacy and safety to traditional surgical methods. This review provides an overview of the history of MICS, its current state, and its prospects and highlights its advantages and limitations. Additionally, we highlight the growing trends and potential pathways for the expansion of MICS, underscoring the crucial role of technological advancements in shaping the future of this field.

The Combination of Mechanically Isolated Stromal Vascular Fraction and Fibrin Hydrogel: A Processing Protocol.

The regenerative potential of adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) has gained significant attention in regenerative and translational research. In the past, the extraction of these cells from adipose tissue required a multistep enzyme-based process, resulting in a heterogenous cell mix consisting of ACSs and other cells, which are jointly termed the stromal vascular fraction (SVF). More recently introduced mechanical SVF (mSVF) isolation protocols are less time-consuming and bypass regulatory concerns.

Strong German Hearts 2023: A Field Report.

What do the special forces of the Federal Police and heart surgeons have in common? To find out, a team of the German Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (DGTHG) started a pilot project called "Strong German Hearts" with an intensive 36-hour training supported by the special forces of the Federal Police.

Recombinant C1 inhibitor in the prevention of severe COVID-19: a randomized, open-label, multi-center phase IIa trial.

Background: Conestat alfa (ConA), a recombinant human C1 inhibitor, may prevent thromboinflammation.

Methods: We conducted a randomized, open-label, multi-national clinical trial in which hospitalized adults at risk for progression to severe COVID-19 were assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive either 3 days of ConA plus standard of care (SOC) or SOC alone. Primary and secondary endpoints were day 7 disease severity on the WHO Ordinal Scale, time to clinical improvement within 14 days, and safety, respectively.

Endothelial damage inhibitor preserves the integrity of venous endothelial cells from patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery.

Objectives: Despite the success of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery using autologous saphenous vein grafts (SVGs), nearly 50% of patients experience vein graft disease within 10 years of surgery. One contributing factor to early vein graft disease is endothelial damage during short-term storage of SVGs in inappropriate solutions. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of a novel endothelial damage inhibitor (EDI) on SVGs from patients undergoing elective CABG surgery and on venous endothelial cells (VECs) derived from these SVGs.

Isolated Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery in Octogenarians: Perioperative Outcome.

Introduction: Despite the feasibility, safety, and excellent outcomes of mitral valve surgery through a right mini-thoracotomy, there is data paucity about its use in octogenarians. In this study, we assess the outcomes of mitral valve surgery via right mini-thoracotomy in octogenarians.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of the in-hospital perioperative data of 38 octogenarian patients with severe mitral regurgitation undergoing isolated mitral valve surgery via right mini-thoracotomy from 2013 to 2021 in our institution.

Grip strength cut-points from the Swiss DO-HEALTH population.

Background: While grip strength (GS) is commonly assessed using a Dynamometer, the Martin Vigorimeter was proposed as an alternative method especially in older adults. However, its reference values for Swiss older adults are missing. We therefore aimed to derive sex- and age-specific GS cut-points for the dominant and non-dominant hand (DH; NDH) using the Martin Vigorimeter.