Iatrogenic aortic dissection in minimally invasive cardiac surgery for atrioventricular valves and atrial structures†.

Objectives: In the last decades, minimally invasive cardiac surgery has emerged as an alternative approach to conventional median sternotomy. However, some reports state an increased risk of iatrogenic acute aortic dissection. Evidence remains limited regarding preoperative diagnostics for risk reduction and the appropriate adjustment of surgical procedures if acute aortic dissection is detected intraoperatively.

Experience in setting up non-robotic minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting in a non-routine off-pump coronary artery bypass center.

Background: The safety of minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) has been proven. Nevertheless, reports on clinical outcomes in MIDCAB and the learning curve of this challenging technique in a non-routine off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) center are still limited. Here, we introduce our clinical outcomes of non-robotic MIDCAB.

Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation with Concomitant Replacement of the Ascending Aorta.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the main causes for end-stage heart failure. Until the transplantation, left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) have become an established treatment. We report a case of a 66-year-old patient with ischemic and DCM and suspected aortic ulcer formation.

Model for End-Stage Liver Disease Including Na, Age, and Sex Is Powerful Predictor of Survival in COVID-19 Patients on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Aim: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is resource-intensive, is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and requires careful patient selection. This study examined whether the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score is a suitable predictor of in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively assessed patients with COVID-19 on ECMO at our institution from March 2020 to May 2021.

Hydrogel-coated and active clearance chest drains in cardiac surgery: real-world results of a single-center study.

Purpose: Cardiac surgery patients require chest drains for postoperative fluid drainage. Innovations in this field include chemical drain coating and manual clot extraction systems, aiming to provide reduced clotting and improved patient comfort. This study compares outcomes using hydrogel-coated, active clearance and conventional chest drains.

Pectoral muscle mass is not a robust prognostic factor for survival after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation.

Background: Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) are an established treatment for end-stage left ventricular heart failure. Parameters are needed to identify the most appropriate patients for LVADs. This study aimed to evaluate pectoral muscle mass and density as prognostic parameters.

A successful cardiac transplant in a patient with situs inversus totalis and congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries.

A heart transplant is the gold standard therapy for patients with end-stage heart failure. In this case report, situs inversus totalis and congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries led to a unique and complex preoperative setting. Extended donor organ harvesting, donor graft rotation of 45° to the right and post-operative stenting of the superior vena cava were essential steps in the interdisciplinary management of this case.

Evaluation of risk factors for cytomegalovirus DNAemia after end of regular prophylaxis after heart transplantation.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections after heart transplantation (HTx) can cause cardiac allograft vasculopathy. Consequently, monitoring and prophylaxis for cytomegalovirus deoxyribonucleic acid (CMV-DNAemia) within the first weeks after HTx is recommended.

Methods: All patients who underwent HTx between September 2010 and 2021 surviving the first 90 days (n = 196) were retrospectively reviewed.

Clinical outcomes of hundred large Impella implantations in cardiogenic shock patients based on individual clinical scenarios.

Background: Large Impella systems (5.0 or 5.5; i.

Synchronous Donor Heart and Lung Procurement Does Not Impair Outcomes After Heart Transplant.

Objectives: Donor hearts frequently originate from donors whose lungs are also recovered for transplant. Synchronous heart and lung procurement is more complex than procurement ofthe heart alone, and the effects on outcomes are debated. This study examines the effect of synchronous procurement on outcomes in heart transplant recipients.

Impact of Impella Support on Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Postcardiotomy Cardiogenic Shock.

Purpose: This study aimed to elucidate the strategy of an effective Impella support for better clinical outcomes in patients with a postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock (PCCS).

Methods: This single-center retrospective observational study enrolled 31 patients with PCCS undergoing an elective open-heart surgery followed by Impella support between November 2018 and February 2022 for further analysis.

Results: The preoperative Euroscore II and left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction were 9.

Reply to Thet et al. Comment on "Oehler et al. Outcome and Midterm Survival after Heart Transplantation Is Independent from Donor Length of Stay in the Intensive Care Unit. 2022, , 1053".

Myat Soe Thet et al. published a letter [..

Three-Dimensional Bioprinting of Ovine Aortic Valve Endothelial and Interstitial Cells for the Development of Multicellular Tissue Engineered Tissue Constructs.

To investigate the pathogenic mechanisms of calcified aortic valve disease (CAVD), it is necessary to develop a new three-dimensional model that contains valvular interstitial cells (VIC) and valvular endothelial cells (VEC). For this purpose, ovine aortic valves were processed to isolate VIC and VEC that were dissolved in an alginate/gelatin hydrogel. A 3D-bioprinter (3D-Bioplotter Developer Series, EnvisionTec, Gladbeck, Germany) was used to print cell-laden tissue constructs containing VIC and VEC which were cultured for up to 21 days.

Changes in Therapy and Outcome of Patients Requiring Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for COVID-19.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related acute respiratory distress syndrome requiring veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vv-ECMO) is related with poor outcome, especially in Germany. We aimed to analyze whether changes in vv-ECMO therapy during the pandemic were observed and lead to changes in the outcome of vv-ECMO patients.

Methods: All patients undergoing vv-ECMO support for COVID-19 between 2020 and 2021 in a single center ( = 75) were retrospectively analyzed.

Transplantation of hearts from SARS-CoV-2 positive donors.

Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 remains high in the population. Consequently, an increasing percentage of reported organ donors are also SARS-CoV-2 positive. Although donors may not have experienced COVID-19-related symptoms, there is a chance of unnoticed cardiovascular effects associated with this disease.

Impact of circadian rhythm and daytime variation on outcome after heart transplantation.

Intro: Recently, the impact of circadian rhythm and daytime variation on surgical outcomes has attracted interest. Although studies for coronary artery and aortic valve surgery report contrary results, effects on heart transplantation have not been studied.

Methods: Between 2010 and February 2022, 235 patients underwent HTx in our department.

Combining aortic arch dissection stent implantation and root surgery for aortic dissection type A.

Background: Acute aortic dissection type A (AADA) is associated with high perioperative morbidity and mortality. A novel non-covered hybrid prosthesis (AMDS, CryoLife, Kennesaw, USA) can be easily implanted to stabilize the true lumen. However, the role of AMDS for patients requiring additional aortic root surgery has not been described.

Donor Noradrenaline Support Is Not Associated with Decreased Survival in Heart Transplant Recipients.

Objective: Although the application of higher doses of norepinephrine (NE) in potential organ donors is a frequent reason for heart decline, its associations with outcomes after heart transplantation (HTx) are discussed controversially. Therefore, we aimed to explore donor NE support’s potential impact on outcomes in our single-center heart transplant cohort. Methods: All patients who had undergone HTx in our center between September 2010 and April 2022 (n = 241) were screened for eligibility.

Heart transplantation in the era of corona virus disease 2019: Impact of the pandemic on donors, recipients and outcome.

Introduction: Since March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has tremendously impacted health care all around the globe. We analyzed the impact of the pandemic on donors, recipients, and outcome of heart transplantation (HTx).

Methods: Between 2010 and early 2022, a total of n = 235 patients underwent HTx in our department.

Optimizing Anastomoses Technique in Orthotopic Heart Transplantation: Comparison of Biatrial, Bicaval and Modified Bicaval Technique.

Implantation techniques for orthotopic heart transplantation (HTx) have evolved over the centuries. Recently new approaches of modified bicaval techniques to minimize warm ischemia are gaining popularity in the literature. Between 2010 and 2022 n = 238 patients underwent HTx in our department.

Preoperative atrial fibrillation predicts worse outcomes after LVAD implantation.

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is a common therapy for end-stage heart failure. Heart failure patients often present with atrial fibrillation (AF). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of preoperative AF as well as vascular complications on outcome in LVAD patients.

3D-bioprinting of aortic valve interstitial cells: impact of hydrogel and printing parameters on cell viability.

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is a frequent cardiac pathology in the aging society. Although valvular interstitial cells (VICs) seem to play a crucial role, mechanisms of CAVD are not fully understood. Development of tissue-engineered cellular models by 3D-bioprinting may help to further investigate underlying mechanisms of CAVD.

Twisting is key: Removing an infected nitinol wire braided uncovered stent from the aortic arch and the descending aorta.

Prosthesis infection after aortic surgery is a critical complication that most commonly requires surgical treatment with removal of the infected material. In this video tutorial, we remove a novel nitinol wire braided stent. It was introduced to stabilize the true lumen and prevent distal anastomotic new entry.