Analyzing the correlation between the longitudinal trajectories of blood urea nitrogen and 30-day survival in hemorrhagic stroke patients.

Background: While some studies suggest a link between blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels and adverse outcomes in hemorrhagic stroke (HS) patients, the prognostic value of longitudinal BUN changes remains unclear.

Objective: To evaluate the association between longitudinal BUN trajectories and 30-day mortality risk in HS patients.

Methods: We analyzed HS patients from the MIMIC-IV database diagnosed within 24 hours of hospitalization.

Comparison of postoperative pain and quality of life between left anterior thoracotomy and median sternotomy off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery in multivessel coronary revascularization: a retrospective study of a case series of 356 consecutive patients.

Background: This study compared post-operative pain and quality of life (QoL) between left anterior thoracotomy (LAT) and median sternotomy (MS) in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). LAT is a less invasive alternative to MS for the treatment of advanced coronary artery disease.

Methods: This retrospective study analysed 356 patients who underwent OPCAB for multivessel revascularization between January 2018 and April 2023.

Comparison of Left Ventricular Functional Recovery and Remodeling After Total Thoracoscopic Mitral Valve Repair and Replacement in Patients With Mitral Regurgitation and Mildly to Moderately Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction.

Total thoracoscopic mitral valve surgery (TT-MVS) is a minimally invasive technique for mitral regurgitation (MR), but its impact on left ventricular (LV) function and remodeling in patients with reduced LV ejection fraction (LVEF) is unclear. We retrospectively compared 94 patients who underwent total thoracoscopic mitral valve repair (TT-MVr) or total thoracoscopic mitral valve replacement (TT-MVR) for MR and reduced LVEF at our center from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2022. We assessed LV functional recovery and remodeling by echocardiography at baseline, 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery.

Midterm outcomes of thoracoscopic trans-mitral myectomy for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy: A single-center, observational study.

Background: Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) is traditionally treated with septal myectomy via sternotomy. Thoracoscopic trans-mitral myectomy (TTM) is a minimally invasive alternative, but midterm outcomes remain unclear. We aimed to evaluate the midterm efficacy and safety of TTM versus open trans-aortic myectomy (OTM) in obstructive HOCM patients.

Concomitant Atrial Fibrillation Radiofrequency Ablation During Total Thoracoscopic Valve Replacement: Safety, Early-Term Efficacy, and Predictors of Early Atrial Arrhythmia Recurrence.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) complicates cardiac surgery, including valve replacements, increasing perioperative risk and impacting long-term outcomes. Concomitant radiofrequency ablation (RFA) during cardiac surgeries shows promise for managing AF. This study investigates the safety, early efficacy, and predictors of atrial arrhythmia recurrence (AAR) following AF RFA during total thoracoscopic valve replacement (TTVR).

Hybrid Repair of Ascending Aortic Intramural Hematoma and Arch Ulcer in a 74-Year-Old Woman - A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Acute intramural hematoma (IMH) of the ascending thoracic aorta and aortic arch is a life-threatening condition, particularly in elderly patients with comorbidities, due to its risk of progression and rupture. Unlike aortic dissection, IMH lacks an intimal tear, influencing both clinical presentation and treatment strategy. This report describes a 74-year-old hypertensive woman with type A IMH and a penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer (PAU), managed with a hybrid surgical approach that combines external Dacron wrapping of the ascending aorta and endovascular stenting of the aortic arch with in-situ fenestration of the supra-aortic arteries.

Clinical Outcomes and Left Ventricular Functional Remodeling after Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Assisted Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients with Ischemic Cardiomyopathy: A Single-Center Retrospective Observational Study of 76 Cases.

Background: Ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) is a common condition that leads to left ventricular (LV) functional remodeling and poor prognosis. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can provide temporary circulatory support and facilitate percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ICM and hemodynamic instability. However, the impact of ECMO-assisted PCI on LV functional remodeling and clinical outcomes in ICM patients is unclear.

Nomogram for Risk of Secondary Venous Thromboembolism in Stroke Patients: A Study Based on the MIMIC-IV Database.

This study aims to identify risk factors for secondary venous thromboembolism (VTE) in stroke patients and establish a nomogram, an accurate predictor of probability of VTE occurrence during hospitalization in stroke patients. Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) database of critical care medicine was utilized to retrieve information of stroke patients admitted to the hospital between 2008 and 2019. Patients were randomly allocated into train set and test set at 7:3.

Targeting metabolism of breast cancer and its implications in T cell immunotherapy.

Breast cancer is a prominent health issue amongst women around the world. Immunotherapies including tumor targeted antibodies, adoptive T cell therapy, vaccines, and immune checkpoint blockers have rejuvenated the clinical management of breast cancer, but the prognosis of patients remains dismal. Metabolic reprogramming and immune escape are two important mechanisms supporting the progression of breast cancer.

Comparison of post-operative pain and quality of life between total thoracoscopic surgery and conventional full-sternotomy for aortic valve replacement.

Background: To compare the post-operative pain and quality of life of patients who underwent total thoracoscopic surgery (TTS) or conventional full-sternotomy (CFS) for aortic valve replacement (AVR).

Methods: We reviewed the records of 223 consecutive AVR patients with either TTS or CFS from January 2018 to December 2022. We used a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) to measure the post-operative pain and quality of life, respectively.

Safety and efficacy of total thoracoscopic surgery for patients with tricuspid regurgitation and reduced right ventricular function after left heart valves replacement: a retrospective comparative study.

Background: Tricuspid valve surgery is the standard treatment for tricuspid valve disease refractory to pharmacologic therapy. However, patients with tricuspid regurgitation after previous left heart valves replacement with reduced right ventricular (RV) function are at greater risk of surgery. We compared the clinical outcomes of tricuspid valve replacement in this subgroup of patients through mini-thoracotomy and conventional full-sternotomy approach.

Two-incision totally thoracoscopic mitral valve repair combined with radiofrequency atrial fibrillation ablation in rheumatic mitral valve disease: Early results of a case series of 43 consecutive patients.

Background: Few studies have reported the outcomes of two-incision total thoracoscopic mitral valve repair (MVr) and concomitant radiofrequency atrial fibrillation ablation (RAFA) in patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease and atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 43 consecutive patients who underwent MVr and RAFA through two-incision total thoracoscopic technique from October 2018 to June 2022. We collected data on baseline characteristics, perioperative outcomes, and early-term results.

New aneurysm formation after endovascular embolization of a vertebral epidural AV fistula: a rare sequelae of NF AV fistulae.

Background: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) is a dominant genetic disorder often accompanied by lesions of the neurovascular system. Patients with NF-1 are predisposed to unique vertebral artery fistula (AVF).

Case Description: We report on a rare case of multiple neurovascular abnormalities in a 47-year-old man with neurofibromatosis.

Subdural evacuating port system with subdural thrombolysis for the treatment of chronic subdural hematoma in patients older than 80 years.

Objective: The subdural evacuating port system (SEPS) is a minimally invasive approach that can be performed under local anesthesia for the treatment of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). Subdural thrombolysis has been described as an exhaustive drainage strategy and found to be safe and effective for improving drainage. We aim to analyze the effectiveness of SEPS with subdural thrombolysis in patients older than 80 years.

Impact of frailty status on clinical and functional outcomes after concomitant valve replacement and bipolar radiofrequency ablation in patients aged 65 years and older.

Background: To evaluate the prognostic value of frailty in older recipients of concomitant valve replacement (VR) and bipolar radiofrequency ablation (BRFA), we examined whether clinical and functional outcomes differed between frail and non-frail groups of older patients referred for concomitant VR and BRFA.

Methods: In a single-center retrospective observational cohort study, we compared the clinical and functional outcomes in frail versus non-frail patients. Frailty was assessed using the 5-item Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) frailty scale.

Combined targeting of KRT23 and NCCRP1 as a potential novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer.

Background: Breast cancers characterized by triple-negative status tend to be more malignant and have a poorer prognosis. A risk model for predicting breast cancer risk should be developed.

Methods: We obtained gene expression and clinical characteristics data using the Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database.