Cardiac revascularization surgery (CABG) has shown positive results at long term in CAD patients with multivessel or left main disease. However, we are well aware that, after CABG, there might be native disease progression over time. Also, at followup, we often see high incidence of venous graft failure. According to registry data, approximately 1 in...
There are many current randomized trials comparing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with myocardial revascularization surgery (MRS) for the treatment of left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD). In the European Society of Cardiology guidelines, PCI is classified as Ia (LMCAD with low-complexity coronary disease) or IIa indication (intermediate complexity), whereas, according to the American Heart Association...
Tranexamic Acid is an antifibrinolytic which has been shown to reduce bleeding in orthopedic patients and cardiac surgery. But evidence for its use in non-cardiac surgery is still limited. The aim of this study was to assess whether tranexamic acid reduces the incidence of bleeding events, which include life threatening bleeding, major bleeding, or bleeding...
According to the LAAOS III study, presented at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2021 Congress and simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), patients with atrial fibrillation who undergo central vascular surgery for any other indication find benefit in appendage closure during said surgery. Using oral anticoagulation agents, patients undergoing appendage closure...
After a several year follow up, the International Study of Comparative Health Effectiveness with Medical and Invasive Approaches (ISCHEMIA) has shown that an invasive approach in addition to optimal medical treatment (OMT) does not offer benefits when it comes to preventing major cardiovascular events compared against optimal medical treatment alone in stable patients with moderate...
Courtesy of Dr. Carlos Fava. Bicuspid aortic stenosis patients (bicuspid AS) represent a small group and have not been included in the larger transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) studies, since they present different morphology and asymmetric calcification, which might come along with more paravalvular leak and less accurate positioning. Between 2012 and 2016, 475,315 patients...
Courtesy of Dr. Carlos Fava. Edge to edge with MitraClip was shown effective and safe, and its outcomes have been improving over these past few years. However, one of its greatest challenges involves not being able to reduce mitral regurgitation (MR) after device implantation, resulting in the need for surgery, as some studies have shown...
2019 World Heart and Cardiothoracic Surgery Conference (2019WHCS) is a premiere educational Heart Congress in the field of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Cardiology that rotate between continents and are organized in collaboration with national and international Cardiac societies and associations. This International Heart and Cardiothoracic Surgery Congress 2019WHCS is going to be held at Singapore during September 10-11, 2019 around the theme ‘Discovering the Science of...
Courtesy of Dr. Carlos Fava. TAVR has largely been shown superior or non-inferior in high or intermediate risk patients. Indeed, the development of new technologies, the more simplified procedure and the increased experience of operators and team have allowed these groups to benefit from this strategy. However, there is little evidence available on low risk...
Patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) at hospitals without cardiovascular surgery available are at significantly higher risk. That in itself is a call for attention; however, a propensity-matched analysis shows that the short- and long-term mortality rates are similar among patients treated at hospitals with and without cardiovascular surgery backup. This debate emerged a...