Objectives: Lung transplantation is a life-saving option for patients with end-stage lung diseases, yet immunosuppression management remains challenging. Induction therapy with interleukin-2 receptor antagonists (IL2-AR), such as basiliximab and daclizumab, is designed to reduce acute rejection and improve…
Nitric oxide (NO) is a central regulator of vascular homeostasis and a key determinant of saphenous vein graft (SVG) outcomes in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Endothelial dysfunction, driven by altered shear stress, oxidative stress, and cardiovascular risk factors, impairs NO production and…
Abstract Background We investigated the international mini-mitral registry (MMIR) for differences in minimally-invasive access for surgery on the mitral and tricuspid valve. We compared direct vision with partially or fully endoscopic approaches. Methods From 2015 to 2021, 7,513 consecutive patients…
Objectives To investigate outcomes of aortic valve replacement with the largest available Epic Supra bioprosthesis (size 29). Methods We reviewed all patients who received an Epic Supra bioprosthesis between 2011 and 2023 and selected all 29 size prostheses that were implanted either into patients with…
Background Delayed device embolization is a rare but dangerous complication after transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER). Case summary A 79-year-old man with acute decompensated severe structural mitral regurgitation underwent TEER with 2 clips after failed medical attempts at recompensation. Six days…
Washington, DC: American College of Cardiology, 2025
Background The use of extracorporeal life support (ECLS) in patients after surgical repair for acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) has not been well documented. Methods We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the outcomes of ECLS after surgery for ATAAD with data published by…
Objective: Minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) is increasing worldwide. In most cases, the surgical technique includes cannulation of the groin for the establishment of cardiopulmonary bypass, requiring a second surgical incision (SC) for exposure and cannulation of the femoral vessels. With the…
Background: Infective endocarditis represents a life‐threatening disease with high mortality rates. A fraction of patients receives exclusively conservative antibiotic treatment due to their comorbidities and high operative risk, despite fulfilling criteria for surgical therapy. The aim of the present…
(1) Background : The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in low cardiac output states after cardiac surgery may aid in patient recovery. However, in some patients, the clinical state may worsen, resulting in multiple organ failure and high mortality rates. In these circumstances, calculating…
Objectives: Benefits of tricuspid valve repair (TVR) in left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients have been questioned. High TVR failure rates have been reported. Remaining or recurring TR was found to be a risk factor for right heart failure (RHF). Therefore, we assessed our experience. Methods:…
BACKGROUND: Antithrombotic therapy (ATT) in patients with infective endocarditis (IE) is challenging. OBJECTIVES: The authors evaluated the impact of anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy on clinical endpoints in IE patients. METHODS: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing IE patients…
Abstract Mechanisms of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) differ as CABG provides surgical collateralization and may prolong life by preventing future myocardial infarctions (MI). However, CABG benefits are unclear in octogenarians, where surgical risk…
London: Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature, 2023-12-15
Background In the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, health care professionals dealing with COVID-19 had to rely exclusively on general supportive measures since specific treatments were unknown. The subsequent waves could be faced with new diagnostic and therapeutic tools (e.g., anti-viral medications…
It is current practice to perform concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with infective endocarditis who have relevant coronary artery disease. However, CABG may add complexity to the operation. We performed a systematic review and a meta-analysis of studies that presented outcomes…
Background: Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are well established therapies in heart failure (HF) management. Their use is generally associated with a sudden increase in inflammatory mediators, which are often already elevated in patients with HF prior…
There is an ongoing debate whether coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) provide better results for the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to evaluate the impact of CABG or PCI on long-term survival based on local reports from different regions…
London: Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature, 2022-12-22
Background: De novo cancers are feared complications after heart or lung transplantation. Recent data suggest that diabetes mellitus (DM) might also be a risk factor for cancer. We hypothesized that transplanted diabetic patients are at greater risk of developing cancer compared to non-diabetic ones.…
Non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) affects millions of patients. Although an invasive strategy can improve survival, the optimal treatment [i.e., percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)] is not clear. We performed a meta-analysis of studies…
London: Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature, 2022-03-24
Objective: Isolated tricuspid valve (TV) surgery remains underused despite guideline recommendations. This underuse may be related to perceived high risk in comorbid patients but also to high reported needs for postoperative permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI). It is conceivable that PPI can be prevented…