European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Oct 2015
Pitfalls and premature failure of the Freedom SOLO stentless valve.
This study reports a series of pitfalls, premature failures and explantation of the third-generation Freedom SOLO (FS) bovine pericardial stentless valve. ⋯ The FS stentless valve is safe to implant and shows satisfying mid-term results in our single institution experience. Freedom from SVD and explantation decreased markedly after only 6-7 years, so that patients with FS require close observation and follow-up. Exact sizing, symmetric positioning and observing patient limitations are crucial for optimal outcome.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Oct 2015
Aortic events after isolated aortic valve replacement for bicuspid aortic valve root phenotype: echocardiographic follow-up study.
Various forms of bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) aortopathy exist, and the optimal treatment for the different subgroups is insufficiently defined. We aimed to analyse the risk of adverse aortic events after aortic valve replacement (AVR) for BAV insufficiency and concomitant mild-to-moderate dilatation of the aortic root (i.e. BAV root phenotype). ⋯ Patients with a BAV root phenotype are at significant risk of aortic events after isolated AVR. Simultaneous root/ascending aortic surgery should be strongly considered in such patients.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Oct 2015
Comparative StudySpinal cord injury after endovascular treatment for thoracoabdominal aneurysm or dissection.
Postoperative spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating complication of surgical repair for thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm or dissection (TAAD), despite the complex reconstruction of inter-costal or lumbar arteries involved in the surgery. As an alternative technique, endovascular thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair (EVTAR) with visceral artery reconstruction has been accepted as a treatment option for severe comorbid patients of TAAD, because there is a permissible frequency of SCI after EVTAR in spite of no reconstruction of inter-costal or lumbar arteries. We report the results of EVTAR at our hospital with a focus on spinal cord injury. ⋯ With close attention to spinal cord protection, EVTAR may be associated with only a low incidence of SCI in the perioperative period. Therefore, EVTAR is expected to become a promising treatment option for appropriately selected patients with TAAD.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Oct 2015
Comparative StudyNegative impact of atrial fibrillation and pulmonary hypertension after mitral valve surgery in asymptomatic patients with severe mitral regurgitation: a 20-year follow-up.
The timing for mitral valve (MV) surgery in asymptomatic patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) and preserved left ventricular (LV) function remains controversial. We aimed at analysing the long-term outcome of asymptomatic patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and/or pulmonary hypertension (PHT) after successful MV repair. ⋯ MV repair can be achieved in the great majority of patients with degenerative regurgitation, with low mortality (<1%). Asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic patients with severe MR, preserved LV function and AF/PHT had poorer long-term survival and event-free survival even after a successful surgery. The durability of MV repair was also compromised in these patients, which indicates that they should have been operated earlier.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Oct 2015
Comparative StudyPerioperative and mid-term results of endovascular management of complicated type B aortic dissection using a proximal thoracic endoprosthesis and selective distal bare stenting.
To present results of endovascular treatment of complicated type B aortic dissection. ⋯ In patients with complicated type B aortic dissection, tailored elongation with uncovered stents is a safe treatment of persistent malperfusion. Although the results presented are encouraging, randomized data and a longer follow-up are required to confirm benefits and complications of this strategy.