Surgical Treatment of Retrosternal Goitre.

This study aims to evaluate surgical approaches to the management of retrosternal goitre. Between 2004 and 2014, 35 patients (eight males; mean age 67.4 ± 10.

Mid-term clinical outcomes of ABSORB bioresorbable vascular scaffold versus everolimus-eluting stent for coronary bifurcation lesions.

Background: Data regarding bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) use in coronary bifurcation lesions are limited. The aim of this study was to compare mid-term clinical outcomes of all-comer patients treated with BVS versus everolimus-eluting stents (EES) for bifurcation lesions.

Methods: A total of 351 non-left-main bifurcation lesions in 323 all-comer patients were treated either with BVS (166 bifurcations in 147 patients) or EES (185 bifurcations in 176 patients).

The FER rs4957796 TT genotype is associated with unfavorable 90-day survival in Caucasian patients with severe ARDS due to pneumonia.

A recent genome-wide association study showed that a genetic variant within the FER gene is associated with survival in patients with sepsis due to pneumonia. Because severe pneumonia is the main cause of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), we aimed to investigate the effect of the FER polymorphism rs4957796 on the 90-day survival in patients with ARDS due to pneumonia. An assessment of a prospectively collected cohort of 441 patients with ARDS admitted to three intensive care units at the University Medical Centre identified 274 patients with ARDS due to pneumonia.

Catheter Ablation: General Principles and Advances.

Besides antiarrhythmic medication, there are now very good options for a potentially curative therapy by catheter ablation targeting the origin of the underlying arrhythmias in patients with complex congenital heart disease. Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of tomographic imaging (MRI or computed tomography) is helpful to understand the underlying cardiac anatomy, identify the most likely target chamber, and help with planning access. Use of the available 3D mapping systems (sequential or simultaneous acquisition) and (if available) more advanced navigation systems, such as remote magnetic navigation, can improve the acute and long-term outcomes of catheter ablation in congenital heart disease.

An observational study of Donor Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion in UK lung transplantation: DEVELOP-UK.

Background: Many patients awaiting lung transplantation die before a donor organ becomes available. Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) allows initially unusable donor lungs to be assessed and reconditioned for clinical use.

Objective: The objective of the Donor Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion in UK lung transplantation study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of EVLP in increasing UK lung transplant activity.

Ductus arteriosus stenting: A promising percutaneous palliation in patients with duct-dependent pulmonary circulation.

Objectives: We aimed to study the feasibility and outcomes of ductal stenting in patients with duct-dependent pulmonary blood flow (PBF).

Methods: Duct-dependent hypoxic patients with confluent pulmonary artery (PA) branches were enrolled for ductal stenting and followed regularly.

Results: Sixty patients, with a median age of 12 (1-1095) days and weight of 2.

Infective endocarditis after device closure of atrial septal defects: Case report and review of the literature.

We report a case of late infective endocarditis in an 8-year-old boy 3 years after transcatheter closure of an atrial septal defect with the Amplatzer Atrial Septal Occluder Device. Echocardiography showed a very thick pannus lining the left atrial disc of the prosthesis, with some mobile elements. MRI showed several cerebral microemboli.

Evaluation of the HeartWare ventricular assist device Lavare cycle in a particle image velocimetry model and in clinical practice.

Objectives: Ventricular blood stasis is a concern for continuous flow mechanical support devices and might contribute to the formation of thromboembolic events. The HeartWare® Ventricular Assist System (HVAD®) is equipped with the Lavare™ cycle that is a periodic speed modulation feature designed to alter flow patterns within the left ventricle and reduce areas of potential blood stasis. Here, we report in vitro and clinical findings on the effects of the Lavare cycle.

Long-term support of patients receiving a left ventricular assist device for advanced heart failure: a follow-up analysis of the Registry to Evaluate the HeartWare Left Ventricular Assist System.

Objectives: The Registry to Evaluate the HeartWare Left Ventricular Assist System (ReVOLVE) is an investigator-initiated multicentre, prospective, single-arm database established to collect post-Conformité Européenne Mark clinical information on patients receiving the HeartWare® Ventricular Assist System (HVAD®). The number of patients requiring longer periods of mechanical circulatory support is ever increasing and so further investigation into long-term outcomes in bridge-to-transplant populations is necessary.

Methods: Data were collected on 254 commercial implants performed between February 2009 and March 2012 from nine centres in Europe (7 centres) and Australia (2 centres).

Natural history of 107 cases of fetal aortic stenosis from a European multicenter retrospective study.

Objectives: Fetal aortic valvuloplasty (FV) aims to prevent fetal aortic valve stenosis progressing into hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), which results in postnatal univentricular (UV) circulation. Despite increasing numbers of FVs performed worldwide, the natural history of the disease in fetal life remains poorly defined. The primary aim of this study was to describe the natural history of fetal aortic stenosis, and a secondary aim was to test previously published criteria designed to identify cases of emerging HLHS with the potential for a biventricular (BV) outcome after FV.

Diagnostic Value of Circulating CXC Chemokines in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

Background/aim: To evaluate the diagnostic value of circulating CXC chemokines as biomarkers for non-small cell lung cancer and compare them against a standard panel of already existing cancer biomarkers.

Materials And Methods: A total of 90 individuals were enrolled in the study. We analyzed 30 patients with stage IA-IIB carcinoma of the lung who underwent pulmonary resection, 30 patients with metastatic NSCLC, and 30 healthy volunteers.

Subcutaneous Immunotherapy and Sublingual Immunotherapy: Comparative Efficacy, Current and Potential Indications, and Warnings--United States Versus Europe.

Subcutaneous immunotherapy and sublingual immunotherapy are effective for allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma and with some support for use in selected patients with atopic dermatitis. The sequence of immunologic responses is the same, irrespective of the route of administration, and similar disease modification has been demonstrated. However, there are differences between the two approaches.

Perioperative Blood Glucose Levels <150 mg/dL are Associated With Improved 5-Year Survival in Patients Undergoing On-Pump Cardiac Surgery: A Prospective, Observational Cohort Study.

Hyperglycemia is common during and after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery (CABGS) and has been shown to be associated with poor clinical outcomes. In this study, we hypothesized that a moderate perioperative mean blood glucose level of <150 mg/dL improves long-term survival in cardiac surgery patients. We conducted a prospective, observational cohort study in the heart center of the University Medical Center of Goettingen, Germany.

Advances in radionuclide imaging of cardiac sarcoidosis.

Introduction: Radionuclide imaging for the diagnosis and monitoring of cardiac involvement in sarcoidosis has advanced significantly in recent years.

Sources Of Data: This article is based on published clinical guidelines, literature review and our collective clinical experience.

Areas Of Agreement: Gallium-67 scintigraphy is among the diagnostic criteria for cardiac involvement in systemic sarcoidosis, and it is strongly associated with response to treatment.

Genetic Polymorphisms in Endothelin-1 as Predictors for Long-Term Survival and the Cardiac Index in Patients Undergoing On-Pump Cardiac Surgery.

Genetic variants within the endothelin-1 gene (EDN1) have been associated with several cardiovascular diseases and may act as genetic prognostic markers. Here, we explored the overall relevance of EDN1 polymorphisms for long-term survival in patients undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery. A prospectively collected cohort of 455 Caucasian patients who underwent cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass was followed up for 5 years.

Circulating tumour cells in patients with lung cancer undergoing endobronchial cryotherapy.

Early diagnosis of lung cancer still poses a major issue, with a large proportion of patients diagnosed at late stages. Therapeutic options and treatment remain limited in these patients. In most cases only palliative therapies are available to alleviate any severe symptoms.

Impact of statin therapy on mortality in patients with sepsis-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) depends on ARDS severity: a prospective observational cohort study.

Background: Previous investigations have presumed a potential therapeutic effect of statin therapy in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Statins are expected to attenuate inflammation in the lungs of patients with ARDS due to their anti-inflammatory effects. Clinical investigations of the role of statin therapy have revealed contradictory results.

The CD14 rs2569190 TT Genotype Is Associated with an Improved 30-Day Survival in Patients with Sepsis: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study.

According to previous investigations, CD14 is suggested to play a pivotal role in initiating and perpetuating the pro-inflammatory response during sepsis. A functional polymorphism within the CD14 gene, rs2569190, has been shown to impact the pro-inflammatory response upon stimulation with lipopolysaccharide, a central mediator of inflammation in sepsis. In this study, we hypothesized that the strong pro-inflammatory response induced by the TT genotype of CD14 rs2569190 may have a beneficial effect on survival (30-day) in patients with sepsis.

Chronic kidney disease is associated with a higher 90-day mortality than other chronic medical conditions in patients with sepsis.

According to previous studies, the clinical course of sepsis could be affected by preexisting medical conditions, which are very common among patients with sepsis. This observational study aimed at investigating whether common chronic medical conditions affect the 90-day mortality risk in adult Caucasian patients with sepsis. A total of 482 patients with sepsis were enrolled in this study.