Impact of mitral regurgitation reduction on uncorrected tricuspid regurgitation after left ventricular assist device implantation.

Objective: Appropriate management of significant tricuspid regurgitation during left ventricular assist device implantation is unclear. This study evaluates the impact of post-left ventricular assist device mitral regurgitation reduction on uncorrected significant tricuspid regurgitation.

Methods: All patients who underwent HeartMate 3 implantation between January 2016 and December 2022 with preoperative moderate or greater tricuspid regurgitation were reviewed.

Multidirectional Blood Flow During Cardiopulmonary Bypass Mimicking an Iatrogenic Aortic Dissection During Transesophageal Echocardiographic Examination.

• IAD leads to perioperative morbidity and mortality. • TEE is sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of IAD. • Imaging artifacts are often seen during TEE evaluation of the aorta.

Impact of institutional variables on centre performance in long-term survival after heart transplant.

Objectives: The gold standard metric for centre-level performance in orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) is 1-year post-OHT survival. However, it is unclear whether centre performance at 1 year is predictive of longer-term outcomes. This study evaluated factors impacting longer-term centre-level performance in OHT.

The HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device as a strategy to bridge to transplant.

Purpose: Recent changes in the market for left ventricular assist devices have resulted in the HeartMate 3 (HM3) being the only commercially-available device. This study evaluates the outcomes of patients with a HM3 waitlisted for and undergoing orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT).

Methods: Patients waitlisted for isolated OHT with a HM3 or undergoing OHT after bridge-to-transplant (BTT) with a HM3 between 2015 and 2021 were identified from the UNOS registry and included in this study.

Congenital Heart Surgery Training Experiences and Perceptions Among Cardiothoracic Surgery Residents.

Interest and core training in congenital heart surgery (CHS) has not been characterized among current cardiothoracic surgical trainees. This study aimed to evaluate perceptions, interest, exposure, and experience among current trainees. A 22 question survey was distributed to all cardiothoracic surgical trainees in ACGME-accredited thoracic surgery residencies.

A Cardiac Surgery Mini-Elective Increases Specialty Knowledge Acquisition Among Pre-Clinical Medical Students.

Background: The introduction of integrated thoracic surgery residency programs has led to increased recruitment efforts of medical students to pursue a career in cardiac surgery. With little representation of cardiac surgery in medical school curriculum, we assessed a cardiac surgery mini-elective's efficacy in improving perceived knowledge among medical students.

Methods: Preclinical medical students were offered the opportunity to participate in a cardiac surgery mini-elective, which consisted of five 2-hour sessions.

How We Perform a David Procedure With an Upper Hemisternotomy Approach.

Valve-sparing aortic root replacement (David procedure) is the technique of choice in appropriately selected patients with aortic root aneurysms. These procedures are seldom performed in a minimally invasive fashion. We describe our systematic approach to the David procedure using an upper hemisternotomy (UHS).

The mini-Bentall approach: Comparison with full sternotomy.

Background: The upper mini sternotomy Bentall (mini-Bentall) procedure may result in less trauma and earlier recovery compared with the full sternotomy Bentall procedure (full Bentall). This study compares immediate and 1- and 3-year survival rates after mini- and full Bentall procedures.

Methods: Between February 2009 and July 2019, 48 patients underwent a mini-Bentall and 49 underwent a full Bentall.

The impact of coronavirus 2019 on general surgery residency: A national survey of program directors.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had a widespread impact on graduate medical education. This survey aims to assess how general surgery residency programs adapted to the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States (US).

Materials And Methods: General surgery program directors (PDs) in the US were invited to partake in a 16-question survey between April 17 and May 1, 2020.

Giant coronary artery aneurysm in infantile Kawasaki disease: When to use cardiac computed tomography angiography.

Transthoracic echocardiography is the imaging modality of choice for the detection of coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) in Kawasaki disease. However, cardiac computed tomography angiography is useful in the diagnosis of distal CAAs.

Left innominate vein creation using left internal jugular vein tunneled to right internal jugular vein.

Background: Left innominate vein occlusion is a known complication of pacemaker and central venous catheter placement. For dialysis-dependent patients with an arteriovenous fistula (AVF), this can prevent successful hemodialysis and may require surgical intervention.

Case Report: An 8-month-old male was diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome and became dialysis-dependent at 11 months of age.

Adult congenital pulmonary valve insertion using a new bioprosthetic aortic valve: Inspiris.

We describe successful placement of the Inspiris Resilia aortic valve in the pulmonary position. This valve has advantages for immediate benefit and future percutaneous interventions, making it a promising prosthesis for adult congenital patients.

Clinical Exposure to Cardiothoracic Surgery for Medical Students and General Surgery Residents.

Background: The introduction of integrated 6-year cardiothoracic surgery (CTS) residency programs has shifted recruitment efforts to encompass not only general surgery (GS) residents, but also medical students.

Objective: The aim of this paper is to assess medical student and GS resident clinical exposure to CTS.

Design: Data from the Association of American Medical Colleges Visiting Student Application Service and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Case Log Reports were collected from 2010 to 2017 and 2010 to 2018, respectively.

Efficient approach to superior vena cava baffle stenosis following the Mustard procedure: Expanding the role of a mechanical rotating dilator sheath for lead extraction.

Introduction: In adult congenital patients with transposition of the great arteries originally treated with the Mustard (atrial switch) procedure, the most common reason for re-intervention is baffle stenosis. This may be exacerbated by permanent transvenous pacemaker lead placement across the baffle.

Case Report: A 47-year-old female status post Mustard procedure performed at 15 months old presented with a high-grade stenosis of the superior vena cava (SVC) baffle from the SVC to the left atrium, with a nonfunctional permanent pacemaker lead passing through the baffle.

Total Arch Replacement with Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest, Antegrade Cerebral Perfusion and the Y-graft.

This study examines postoperative morbidity and mortality and long-term survival after total arch replacement (TAR) using deep to moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA), antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP), and the Y-graft. Seventy-five patients underwent TAR with the Y graft. Deep to moderate HCA was initiated at 18-22°C.

Fontan procedure: Early outcomes of 87 consecutive patients in a tertiary care center.

Al Absi and colleagues report their early results of the Fontan procedure in 87 consecutive patients between August 2008 and July 2017 in a tertiary care hospital. The use of the intra/extracardiac fenestration is a promising modification because it is unlikely to be occluded by surrounding tissue and may be associated with decreased pleural effusions, length of hospital stay, and incidence of postoperative arrhythmias.