Impact of bilateral internal mammary artery grafting in patients with mildly decreased renal function.

Background: The effectiveness of bilateral internal mammary artery (BIMA) grafting during multivessel coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is uncertain in patients with mildly decreased renal function (glomerular filtration rate 60-89 ml/min/1.73 m). We compared outcomes of bilateral versus single IMA (SIMA) grafting in this population.

5-Year Echocardiographic Results of Transcatheter Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Low-Risk Patients.

Background: The PARTNER 3 (Safety and Effectiveness of the SAPIEN 3 Transcatheter Heart Valve in Low Risk Patients with Aortic Stenosis) trial compared SAPIEN 3 transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) to surgery in low-risk patients with symptomatic, severe aortic stenosis. Echocardiographic outcomes at 5 years are unknown.

Objectives: This study sought to compare 5-year echocardiographic results of TAVR and surgery in the PARTNER 3 trial.

Five- Year Outcomes in Low-Risk Patients Undergoing Surgery in the PARTNER 3 Trial.

Background: Surgery remains an important treatment for low-risk patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS). This study evaluated 5-year outcomes in low-risk patients undergoing isolated surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) or SAVR with concomitant procedures within the randomized Placement of Aortic Transcatheter Valves (PARTNER) 3 trial.

Methods: In the PARTNER 3 trial, 454 patients underwent surgery for severe, symptomatic, trileaflet AS and were followed up for 5 years.

Checklist of newly-vouchered annelid taxa from the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, central Pacific Ocean, based on morphology and genetic delimitation.

Background: We present a checklist of annelids from recent United Kingdom Seabed Resources (UKSR) expeditions (Abyssal Baseline - ABYSSLINE project) to the eastern abyssal Pacific Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) polymetallic nodule fields, based on DNA species delimitation, including imagery of voucher specimens, Darwin Core (DwC) data and links to vouchered specimen material and new GenBank sequence records. This paper includes genetic and imagery data for 129 species of annelids from 339 records and is restricted to material that is, in general, in too poor a condition to describe formally at this time, but likely contains many species new to science. We make these data available both to aid future taxonomic studies in the CCZ that will be able to link back to these genetic data and specimens and to better underpin ongoing ecological studies of potential deep-sea mining impacts using the principles of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusuable) data and specimens that will be available for all.

Mechanical Circulatory Support During Surgical Revascularization for Ischemic Cardiomyopathy.

Background: This study aimed to describe the use of perioperative mechanical circulatory support (MCS) and its impact on outcomes in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy who were undergoing surgical revascularization.

Methods: Patients with an ejection fraction <35% who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) from 2015 to 2021 were identified (N = 378). Patients were divided into no MCS, preoperative MCS, and postoperative MCS groups on the basis of timing of MCS initiation, which included intraaortic balloon pump, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or Impella device (Abiomed) use.

Significance of isolated postoperative atrial fibrillation in thoracic aortic aneurysm repair.

Objective: Although postoperative atrial fibrillation has been shown to be associated with worse survival after thoracic aortic surgery, its effect on outcomes independently from other postoperative complications is not well understood.

Methods: This is a single-center retrospective study of patients who underwent open thoracic aortic aneurysm repair between March 2005 and March 2021. Postoperative atrial fibrillation was defined as new-onset atrial fibrillation that developed during the index hospital stay.

Re-Dosing del Nido cardioplegia in adult cardiac surgery: Perfusion characteristics and outcomes--Is there an optimal redosing strategy?

Objectives: del Nido cardioplegia is utilized for myocardial protection in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery; however, no standardized re-dosing protocol exists. We describe perfusion characteristics and clinical outcomes in adult cardiac surgery patients who were re-dosed with del Nido cardioplegia.

Methods: Chart review was performed for adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery (specific inclusion/exclusion criteria below) who received exactly two doses of del Nido cardioplegia from 2012 to 2019; = 542 patients.

Carbonate compensation depth drives abyssal biogeography in the northeast Pacific.

Abyssal seafloor communities cover more than 60% of Earth's surface. Despite their great size, abyssal plains extend across modest environmental gradients compared to other marine ecosystems. However, little is known about the patterns and processes regulating biodiversity or potentially delimiting biogeographical boundaries at regional scales in the abyss.

Valve-sparing aortic root replacement versus composite valve graft with bioprosthesis in patients under age 50.

Background: Although the unique risks of implanting a prosthetic valve after aortic valve (AV) surgery in young patients are well established, studies of aortic root replacement (ARR) are lacking. We investigated long-term outcomes after valve-sparing root replacement (VSRR) versus the use of a composite valve graft with bioprosthesis (b-CVG) in patients age <50 years.

Methods: A total of 543 patients age <50 years underwent VSRR (n = 335) or b-CVG (n = 208) between 2004 and 2021 from 2 aortic centers, excluding those with dissection or endocarditis.

Valve-sparing root replacement versus composite valve graft root replacement: Analysis of more than 1500 patients from 2 aortic centers.

Objectives: The long-term outcomes comparing valve-sparing root replacement, composite valve graft with bioprosthesis, and mechanical prosthesis have yet to be explored. We investigated the long-term survival and reintervention rates after 1 of 3 major aortic root replacements in patients with tricuspid aortic valves and patients with bicuspid aortic valves.

Methods: A total of 1507 patients underwent valve-sparing root replacement (n = 700), composite valve graft with bioprosthesis (n = 703), or composite valve graft with mechanical prosthesis (n = 104) between 2004 and 2021 in 2 aortic centers, excluding those with dissection, endocarditis, stenosis, or prior aortic valve surgery.

Economic Outcomes of Transcatheter Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis and Low Surgical Risk: Results from the PARTNER 3 Trial.

Background: In patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis at low surgical risk, transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with the SAPIEN 3 valve has been shown to reduce the composite of death, stroke, or rehospitalization at 2-year follow-up compared with surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Whether TAVR is cost-effective compared with SAVR for low-risk patients remains uncertain.

Methods: Between 2016 and 2017, 1000 low-risk patients with aortic stenosis were randomly assigned to TAVR with the SAPIEN 3 valve or SAVR in the PARTNER 3 trial (Placement of Aortic Transcatheter Valves).

Benthic megafauna of the western Clarion-Clipperton Zone, Pacific Ocean.

There is a growing interest in the exploitation of deep-sea mineral deposits, particularly on the abyssal seafloor of the central Pacific Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), which is rich in polymetallic nodules. In order to effectively manage potential exploitation activities, a thorough understanding of the biodiversity, community structure, species ranges, connectivity, and ecosystem functions across a range of scales is needed. The benthic megafauna plays an important role in the functioning of deep-sea ecosystems and represents an important component of the biodiversity.

The effect of adding an open distal anastomosis to proximal aneurysm repairs in bicuspid aortopathy.

Objectives: To determine the role of adding open distal anastomosis to proximal aortic aneurysm repairs in bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) patients.

Methods: Retrospective review was performed of 1132 patients at our Aortic Center between 2005 and 2019. Inclusion criteria were all patients diagnosed with a BAV who underwent proximal aortic aneurysm repair with open or clamped distal anastomosis.

Bicuspid aortic valve durability with valve-sparing aortic root replacement: comparison to tricuspid valve.

Objectives: Outcomes beyond 10 years for David V valve-sparing aortic root replacement (VSARR) in bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) patients have yet to be explored. We investigated long-term outcomes after BAV VSARR compared to VSARR for tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) patients.

Methods: A total of 677 patients with BAV (n = 171) and TAV (n = 506) underwent VSARR between 2005 and 2020 from 2 aortic centres, excluding those with dissection, endocarditis, stenosis or prior aortic valve (AV) surgery.

Extent of aortic replacement and operative outcome in open proximal thoracic aortic aneurysm repair.

Objectives: There are few data to delineate the risk differences among open aortic procedures. We aimed to investigate the influence of the procedural types on the outcomes of proximal thoracic aortic aneurysm repair.

Methods: Among 1900 patients who underwent aortic replacement in our institution between 2005 and 2019, 1132 patients with aortic aneurysm who underwent a graft replacement of proximal thoracic aorta were retrospectively reviewed.

Rehospitalization Events After Aortic Valve Replacement: Insights From the PARTNER Trial.

Background: Rehospitalization is a common end point in clinical trials of structural heart interventions, but whether rehospitalization is clinically and prognostically relevant in these patients is uncertain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of rehospitalization events after aortic valve replacement (AVR) and their association with mortality and health status.

Methods: The study population included patients who underwent transcatheter or surgical AVR in the PARTNER I' II' and III trials (Placement of Aortic Transcatheter Valves).

Whales in the carbon cycle: can recovery remove carbon dioxide?

The great whales (baleen and sperm whales), through their massive size and wide distribution, influence ecosystem and carbon dynamics. Whales directly store carbon in their biomass and contribute to carbon export through sinking carcasses. Whale excreta may stimulate phytoplankton growth and capture atmospheric CO; such indirect pathways represent the greatest potential for whale-carbon sequestration but are poorly understood.