Acute and long-term outcomes of simultaneous atrioventricular node ablation and leadless pacemaker implantation.

Aims: Leadless pacemaker (LDP) allows implantation using a femoral approach. This access could be utilized for conventional atrioventricular nodal ablation (AVNA). It could facilitate unifying the two procedural components.

Single 3-min freeze per vein ablation strategy with the second-generation cryoballoon for atrial fibrillation in a large cohort of patients: long term outcome after a single procedure.

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to assess the long-term success rate of a single 3-min freeze per vein ablation strategy in the setting of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) by means of second-generation cryoballoon (CB-A; Arctic Front Advance, Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) in a large cohort of patients.

Methods: Three hundred and one patients with drug resistant atrial fibrillation (AF) having undergone PVI by means of CB-A using a single 3-min freeze per vein ablation strategy were included in the analysis.

Results: Paroxysmal AF (PAF) was documented in 70.

Italian consensus statement for the use of allografts in ACL reconstructive surgery.

Purpose: Graft choice for primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R) is debated, with considerable controversy and variability among surgeons. Autograft tendons are actually the most used grafts for primary surgery; however, allografts have been used in greater frequency for both primary and revision ACL surgery over the past decade. Given the great debate on the use of allografts in ACL-R, the "Allografts for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction" consensus statement was developed among orthopedic surgeons and members of SIGASCOT (Società Italiana del Ginocchio, Artroscopia, Sport, Cartilagine, Tecnologie Ortopediche), with extensive experience in ACL-R, to investigate their habits in the use of allograft in different clinical situations.

Impact of an additional right pulmonary vein on second-generation cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation: a propensity matched score study.

Purpose: Cryoballoon (CB) technology in the context of anatomical pulmonary vein (PV) variants might hypothetically hamper successful PV isolation (PVI). Our aim was to assess the impact of a right middle PV (RMPV) in the setting of second-generation cryoballoon (CB advance-CB-A), on procedural parameters and on mid-term follow-up.

Methods: Consecutive patients with AF presenting RMPV (RMPV+) at the pre-procedural computed tomography who underwent PVI by CB-A were enrolled.

Anatomical and procedural predictors of pulmonary vein stenosis in the setting of second-generation cryoballoon ablation.

Aims: Pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) is a well recognized complication as a consequence of pulmonary vein isolation. In the current study, we sought to analyze potential anatomical and intraprocedural predictors of PVS during second-generation cryoballoon ablation, particularly focusing on the impact of freeze duration and number of cryoapplications.

Methods: Fifty-four patients who underwent cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation were included retrospectively in this study.

Impact of the third generation cryoballoon on atrial fibrillation ablation: An useful tool?

Background: Third-generation cryoballoon (CB3) is characterized by a 40% shorter distal tip designed to increase the rate of pulmonary veins real-time signal recording in order to measure time necessary to isolate veins, the "Time to effect" (TTE). Few data are currently available on clinical follow up of CB3 treated patients.

Methods: Sixtyeight consecutive patients (mean age 57.

The Impact of Age on Clinical Outcomes of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Long-Term Results of a Real-World Registry.

The aim of this retrospective multicenter registry study was to investigate age-dependent trends in mortality, long-term survival, and comorbidity over time in patients who underwent isolated CABG from 2003 to 2015. The percentage of patients < 60 years of age was 18.9%.

Cryoballoon Ablation in Today's Practice: Can the Left Common Ostium Be Ablated and Injury to the Right Phrenic Nerve Avoided?

Cryoballoon ablation is rapidly gaining popularity among electrophysiologists in the setting of pulmonary vein isolation for the treatment of AF. The first part of the following review focuses on the feasibility and clinical outcome of this technique in patients exhibiting a left common ostium. In the second part, we discuss how to predict and prevent the most common complication related to cryoballoon ablation: right phrenic nerve palsy.

Phrenic nerve injury during right inferior pulmonary vein ablation with the second-generation cryoballoon: clinical, procedural, and anatomical characteristics.

Aims: There is still sparse information regarding phrenic nerve injury (PNI) during ablation of the right inferior pulmonary vein (RIPV) by means of the second-generation cryoballoon advance (CB-A). The aim of this study was to describe the procedural, anatomical, and clinical characteristics of patients who experienced PNI during the RIPV ablation.

Methods And Results: Consecutive patients who had undergone pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using CB-A and suffered PNI during RIPV ablation were retrospectively included in our study.

Single freeze per vein strategy with the second-generation cryoballoon for atrial fibrillation: a propensity score-matched study between 180- and 240-s application time in a large cohort of patients.

Aims: The single-freeze strategy using the second-generation cryoballoon (CB-A, Arctic Front Advance, Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) has been reported to be as effective as the recommended double-freeze approach in several single-centre studies. In this retrospective, international, multicentre study, we compare the 3-min single-freeze strategy with the 4-min single-freeze strategy.

Methods And Results: Four hundred and thirty-two patients having undergone pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) by means of CB-A using a single-freeze strategy were considered for this analysis.

Role of the burden of premature atrial contractions during the blanking period following second-generation cryoballoon ablation in predicting late recurrences of atrial arrhythmias.

Purpose: Recent data suggests that high burden of premature atrial complexes after pulmonary vein isolation predicts recurrences of atrial arrhythmias. The present study sought to assess the role of premature atrial complexes burden in predicting atrial arrhythmias recurrences in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who have undergone second-generation cryoballoon ablation (CB-Adv).

Methods: Consecutive patients with drug-resistant paroxysmal atrial fibrillation who underwent pulmonary vein isolation using CB-Adv technology as the index procedure were retrospectively included.

Clinical value of induction protocol after second generation cryoballoon ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Aims: The predictive value of induction studies after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) is still debatable. To date, these studies have not been implemented in patients after cryoballoon (CB) ablation. Our aim was to analyse the clinical value of AF induction in patients treated by second generation CB for paroxysmal AF.

Arthroscopic Partial Repair of Irreparable, Massive Rotator Cuff Tears.

Several treatment options for chronic, massive rotator cuff tears exist, and they include debridement with possible biceps tenotomy or tenodesis, open or arthroscopic partial repair, muscle or tendon transfer, superior capsule reconstruction, synthetic patch augmentation, and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. The aim of this technique article is to describe our preferred surgical option for irreparable, massive rotator cuff tears with an irreparable supraspinatus, a reparable infraspinatus, and an intact or reparable subscapularis tendon.

Long-term outcome after second-generation cryoballoon ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation - a 3-years follow-up.

Background: The second-generation cryoballoon (cryoballoon Advance; CB-A) offers excellent outcomes on the mid-term follow-up. To the best of our knowledge, little is known regarding the long-term outcome after CB-A ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF).

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the freedom from recurrence of AF during a 3-year follow-up period, among consecutive patients having undergone pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with the CB-A for paroxysmal AF (PAF).

[Cognitive and quality of life trajectory after either surgical or transcatheter aortic valve replacement in high-risk patients].

Rationale: The impact of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) or surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) on cognitive status and quality of life in high-risk patients has been incompletely investigated.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, multicenter study including all patients treated with TAVI and high-risk patients undergoing AVR (age ≥80 years or logistic EuroSCORE ≥15%) at participating centers. Multidimensional geriatric evaluation including Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), EuroQol 5D (EQ5D) and Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) were performed at baseline and at 3- and 12-month follow-up.

Gender differences in outcomes following isolated coronary artery bypass grafting: long-term results.

Background: The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of gender on outcomes after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting, in terms of 5-year rates of overall death, cardiac-related death, myocardial infarction, re-hospitalization, repeat percutaneous or surgical revascularization, stroke, new pacemaker implantation, postoperative renal failure, heart failure and need for long-term care.

Methods: Two propensity-score matched cohorts, each of 1331 patients, undergoing isolated surgical coronary revascularization at the regional public and private centers of Emilia-Romagna region (Italy) from January 1st 2003 to December 31th 2013, were used to compare long-term outcomes of male (5976 patients) versus female gender (1332 patients).

Results: In the matched cohort, males received significantly more bypass grafts (3.

Quality of Life and Functional Results of Arthroscopic Partial Repair of Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears.

Purpose: To evaluate the minimum 2-year results and possible outcomes of arthroscopic partial repair in different patterns of irreparable rotator cuff tears (RCTs).

Methods: Patients suffering from an irreparable supraspinatus and a reparable infraspinatus tendons who underwent arthroscopic partial repair with a minimum 24-month follow-up were included in this study. The Constant and Murley score (CMS) was used to assess patients' functionality pre- and postoperatively.

Repeat procedures after second-generation cryoballoon ablation as an index procedure for persistent atrial fibrillation: one-year follow-up.

Purpose: Data indicate that the second-generation cryoballoon (Arctic Front Advance, Medtronic, Minnesota, USA) could be effective for persistent atrial fibrillation. However, electrophysiological findings and the midterm clinical outcome of repeat procedures following second-generation cryoballoon ablation are lacking.

Methods: Consecutive patients with drug-resistant persistent atrial fibrillation who underwent a repeat ablation due to arrhythmia recurrence following an index procedure with second-generation cryoballoon were retrospectively included in our analysis.

Comparison between off- and on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: long-term results of a real-world registry.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare 5-year rates of overall death, cardiac-related death, myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization, stroke and new occurrence of postoperative renal failure in a large cohort of patients with coronary disease, treated with on- or off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods: Two propensity score-matched cohorts, each of 560 patients, undergoing isolated surgical coronary revascularization at the regional public and private centres of Emilia-Romagna region (Italy) over the period 1 January 2003 - 31 December 2013, were used to compare long-term outcomes of on-pump CABG (6711 patients) and off-pump CABG (597 patients).

Results: The matched on-pump group received significantly more bypass grafts than the matched off-pump group (2.

Functional status and failed rotator cuff repair predict outcomes after arthroscopic-assisted latissimus dorsi transfer for irreparable massive rotator cuff tears.

Background: Arthroscopic-assisted latissimus dorsi tendon transfer (LDTT) has been recently introduced for treatment of irreparable, posterosuperior massive rotator cuff tears. We sought to evaluate the functional outcomes of this technique and to check for possible outcome predictors.

Methods: The study reviewed 86 patients (aged 59.

Predictors of functional outcomes and recurrent shoulder instability after arthroscopic anterior stabilization.

Purpose: To investigate what factors might predict the results of arthroscopic stabilization for anterior shoulder instability.

Methods: One hundred and forty-three patients averaging 25 (15-58) years with traumatic anterior shoulder instability who underwent arthroscopic stabilization were reviewed at a median follow-up of 81 (24-172) months. Sixty-two (56.

Coronary artery surgery versus percutaneous coronary intervention in octogenarians: long-term results.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare 7-year rates of all-cause death, cardiac death, myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, and stroke in a large cohort of octogenarians with left main coronary artery or multivessel disease, treated with coronary artery bypass grafting or percutaneous coronary intervention.

Methods: Two propensity score-matched cohorts of patients undergoing revascularization procedures at regional public and private centers of Emilia-Romagna, Italy, from July 2002 to December 2008 were used to compare long-term outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (947 patients) and coronary artery bypass grafting (441 patients).

Results: There were no significant differences between groups in 30-day mortality.

Outcomes of patients undergoing concomitant mitral and aortic valve surgery: results from an Italian regional cardiac surgery registry.

Objectives: There are limited reliable data on the long-term survival of patients operated upon with double-valve surgery (DVS) in the literature. In this study, in-hospital mortality and 5-year survival were determined and the potential risk factors for increased mortality were identified and discussed.

Methods: This is a report of an observational retrospective study of 1167 patients undergoing concomitant aortic and mitral valve surgery from 2002 to 2011.

Arthroscopic-Assisted Latissimus Dorsi Transfer for the Management of Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears: Short-Term Results.

Background: Irreparable rotator cuff tears associated with shoulder functional impairment represent a challenge, especially in young and active patients. Latissimus dorsi muscle-tendon transfer is performed to replace the irreversibly lost contractile elements in patients with irreparable tears of the posterosuperior aspect of the rotator cuff.

Methods: From 2008 to 2010, we enrolled twenty-seven patients (mean age, sixty years; range, forty-six to sixty-seven years) with irreparable, full-thickness rotator cuff tears involving at least two tendons who underwent arthroscopic-assisted latissimus dorsi muscle-tendon transfer.