Deep learning-based scan range optimization can reduce radiation exposure in coronary CT angiography.

Objectives: Cardiac computed tomography (CT) is essential in diagnosing coronary heart disease. However, a disadvantage is the associated radiation exposure to the patient which depends in part on the scan range. This study aimed to develop a deep neural network to optimize the delimitation of scan ranges in CT localizers to reduce the radiation dose.

Hostile Hemodynamics in Distal Stent Graft-Induced New Entry Prior to Aortic Rupture: A Comparison of Transient versus Steady-State CFD Simulations.

Background: Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations model blood flow in aortic pathologies. The aim of our study was to understand the local hemodynamic environment at the site of rupture in distal stent graft-induced new entry (dSINE) after frozen elephant trunk with a clinically time efficient steady-flow simulation versus transient simulations.

Methods: Steady-state simulations were performed for dSINE, prior and after its development and prior to aortic rupture.

Intraoperative hemoadsorption in high-risk patients with infective endocarditis.

Background: Postoperative sepsis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with infective endocarditis undergoing surgical therapy. Blood purification using hemoadsorption therapy shows promising results in the treatment of sepsis. In this study, the clinical effects of intraoperative hemoadsorption in high-risk patients with infective endocarditis were evaluated.

Urgent Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Complicated by Systemic Inflammatory Response from Fulminant Herpes Zoster Successfully Managed with Adjunct Extracorporeal Hemoadsorption: A Case Report.

Blood purification by hemoadsorption therapy seems to improve outcomes in selected patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Here, we report the successful application of hemoadsorption in the severe systemic inflammatory response during coronary artery bypass surgery in a patient with reactivated herpes zoster.

Impact of Non-Valvular Non-Coronary Concomitant Procedures on Outcomes of Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Intermediate Risk Patients.

Introduction: advanced age and concomitant procedures could increase the risk of perioperative complications during surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). We aimed to evaluate results of elderly patients undergoing SAVR and evaluate the impact of concomitant non-valvular, non-coronary procedures on the outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective single-centre study, evaluating 464 elderly patients (mean age = 75.

Extracorporeal cytokine adsorption: Significant reduction of catecholamine requirement in patients with AKI and septic shock after cardiac surgery.

Background: Extracorporeal cytokine adsorption is an option in septic shock as an additional measure to treat a pathological immune response. Purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of extracorporeal cytokine adsorption on hemodynamic parameters in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) on continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and septic shock after cardiac surgery.

Methods: In this retrospective study, a total of 98 patients were evaluated.

A new simplified technique for artificial chordae implantation in mitral valve repair with its early results.

Background: Many techniques in mitral valve repair (MVR) have been reported with successful long-term results. The aim of this study is to present our simplified technique in artificial chordae replacement for MVR, and reporting its short-term outcomes.

Methods: We present a prospective single-surgeon experience.

Long-Term Single-Center Outcomes of Patients With Chronic Renal Dialysis Undergoing Cardiac Surgery.

Background: The prevalence of dialysis-dependent chronic renal failure (DD-CRF) is growing worldwide. Such patients are exposed to a higher cardiovascular risk because of severe calcification and congestive heart failure caused by volume overload, with poor outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate outcomes of patients with DD-CRF who were undergoing cardiac surgery in a single institution (West German Heart and Vascular Centre Essen, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany).

Modified sizing technique with newly designed tools to facilitate the valve sparing aortic root replacement "David" procedure with mid-term results.

Background: Valve sparing root replacement differs in specific points. The main target remains to achieve a perfect intraoperative result and long-term stability. We aimed in this study to present our modified sizing technique for valve-sparing "David" procedure and its mid-term results.

Transit time flow measurement and high frequency ultrasound epicardial imaging to guide coronary artery bypass surgery.

Background: Transit-time flow measurement (TTFM) should be routinely used in CABG surgery to verify graft function. Most recently, a 2D high-frequency-ultrasound (HF-US) epicardial imaging probe has been released (MiraQ™, Medistim, Oslo, Norway), which allows to evaluate the cannulation/clamping site of the aorta morphologically and to evaluate the completed anastomosis. We aimed to evaluate the use of TTFM and HF-US on surgical strategy during CABG surgery.

Aortic valve construction using pericardial tissue: short-term single-centre outcomes.

Objectives: Aortic valve construction using pericardial tissue has been known since the late 1960s. The procedure was re-introduced by Ozaki in 2010 and is currently used to treat specific aortic valve diseases. The exact sizing of the neo-cusps and the insertion of the commissures remain the keys to success when performing this procedure.

Impact of previous cardiac surgery in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a systematic review.

Introduction: Redo surgical aortic valve replacement after prior cardiac surgery is usually related to a higher risk of mortality and morbidity. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) became an alternative therapy for those patients in the past couple of years.

Evidence Acquisition: We aimed in this study to analyze the outcomes of patients undergoing TAVI after a prior cardiac surgery especially those who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and to see if TAVI offers any advantages for those patients than conventional surgical aortic valve replacement.

Heart-Type Fatty Acid Binding Protein and Ischemia-Modified Albumin for Detection of Myocardial Infarction After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery.

Background: Heart-type fatty acid binding protein (hFABP) and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) have been put forward as novel biomarkers to detect myocardial injury shortly after onset of ischemia. We compared hFABP and IMA with cardiac troponin I (cTnI) for speed and reliability in the diagnosis of perioperative myocardial infarction (PMI) after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG).

Methods: In all, 210 consecutive patients undergoing isolated CABG with cardiopulmonary bypass were enrolled in a prospective study.

Early prediction of acute kidney injury after transapical and transaortic aortic valve implantation with urinary G1 cell cycle arrest biomarkers.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) leading to increased mortality and morbidity. Urinary G1 cell cycle arrest proteins TIMP-2 and IGFBP7 have recently been suggested as sensitive biomarkers for early detection of AKI in critically ill patients. However, the precise role of urinary TIMP-2 and IGFBP7 in patients undergoing TAVI is unknown.

Urinary [TIMP-2]*[IGFBP7] for early prediction of acute kidney injury after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication after cardiac surgery. Currently, prediction of AKI with classical tools remains uncertain. Therefore, it was the aim of the present study to evaluate two new urinary biomarkers-insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) in patients after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG).

Tracheostomy After Cardiac Surgery With Median Sternotomy and Risk of Deep Sternal Wound Infections: Is It a Matter of Timing?

Objective: To assess the impact of timing of percutaneous dilatational tracheotomy (PDT) on incidence of deep sternal wound infections (DSWI) after cardiac surgery with median sternotomy.

Design: Retrospective study between 2003 and 2013.

Setting: Single-center university hospital.

Conventional aortic valve replacement or transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patients with previous cardiac surgery.

Background: Clinical outcomes were compared among patients with previous cardiac surgery undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) or surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR).

Methods: Between 2007 and 2014 a total of 142 consecutive patients with previous cardiac surgery were treated by TAVI either by the transfemoral (n=68) or transapical access (n=74), and 236 patients underwent a surgical redo-AVR. Of these patients, propensity analysis (m:n) matched 62 (group 1, TAVI) and 51 patients (group 2, redo-AVR).