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Background and Objectives: Overt perioperative stroke remains a feared complication of adult cardiac surgery. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI-MRI) has revealed a more prevalent form of cerebral injury, termed silent stroke or silent brain injury (SBI). Covert ischemic lesions occur without focal neurological deficits but are increasingly associated with postoperative delirium, cognitive decline, and elevated long-term cerebrovascular risk. Despite growing recognition, the true burden, mechanisms, and clinical relevance of SBI remain incompletely integrated into perioperative practice. Materials and Methods: We performed a narrative review of the literature published between January 2000 and December 2025, identified through PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus. Eligible studies included prospective and retrospective cohorts, randomized trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses involving adult patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, valve surgery, or minimally invasive cardiac procedures, with or without cardiopulmonary bypass, and reporting MRI-detected ischemic lesions or validated surrogate markers of cerebral injury. Pediatric studies, transcatheter interventions, case reports, and non-English publications were excluded. Sixty studies met the inclusion criteria. Results: Silent stroke occurred more frequently than clinically apparent stroke, with new DWI-MRI lesions detected in approximately 20–60% of patients following cardiac surgery. Lesions were typically small, multifocal, and embolic in distribution, predominantly affecting cortical and watershed regions. Cardiopulmonary bypass-related factors, including aortic manipulation, cerebral microembolization, hemodilution, hypoperfusion, and impaired oxygen delivery, emerged as key contributors. Several studies demonstrated associations between SBI burden and postoperative delirium, early cognitive dysfunction, and functional decline. Perfusion-based neuroprotective strategies showed mechanistic benefit, although no single intervention conclusively prevented SBI. Conclusions: Silent stroke represents the most frequent form of neurological injury in adult cardiac surgery. Evidence suggests that these covert lesions reflect clinically meaningful cerebral injury, with potential short- and long-term consequences. Recognition of silent stroke as a relevant neurological endpoint supports a shift toward multimodal, perfusion-driven neuroprotective strategies and the routine incorporation of MRI-based outcomes in future cardiac surgical research.

Background The impact of air bubbles into the cerebral circulation after open heart surgery has been a topic of discussion since the introduction of the heart-lung machine. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the use of a dedicated commercial sponge diffuser is better than a custom-made narrow section cannula or the absence of CO2 in preventing neurological events after aortic valve replacement via J mini-sternotomy. Methods Three cohorts of J-shaped mini-sternotomy performed at three different centers were prospectively compared: CO2 supplied via sponge diffuser, CO2 supplied via cannula, and no CO2 supply. Propensity matching was used to obtain comparable groups. The primary endpoints were postoperative stroke, transitory ischemic attack, convulsions, and dizziness. Secondary endpoints were 30-day mortality, duration of mechanical ventilation, and intensive care unit length of stay. Results 275 patients were enrolled in the study. After propensity matching, the sponge diffuser cohort had a significantly lower duration of mechanical ventilation ( P  < 0.001) and 30-day mortality ( P  = 0.05) when compared to the cannula cohort and the no-CO2 cohort, a lower incidence of all neurological events ( P  = 0.03) and dizziness ( P  = 0.05) when compare to the no-CO2 cohort, and a lower intensive care unit length of stay when compared to the cannula cohort ( P  = 0.001). Conclusions The sponge diffuser used to deliver the CO2 into the surgical field during aortic valve replacement via J mini-sternotomy has been demonstrated to guarantee better neurological outcomes compared to a custom-made narrow section cannula or the absence of CO2.

Background: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is the most common form of acquired heart disease in Africa, often requiring surgical intervention. Previous studies have demonstrated the need for more cardiac surgeons in Africa but have not outlined their distribution relative to populations and incident cases. Objective: We estimate rheumatic heart disease incidence and cardiac surgical capacity to manage RHD in Africa. By characterizing geographic catchment areas served by the nearest cardiac surgeon(s), we estimate patient travel distance and the unmet surgical need. Methods: Subnational population, RHD incidence, cardiac surgeon, and geographic data were collected from credible, publicly accessible sources. Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS 3.32) was used to create a subnational map of Africa and conduct nearest neighbor analyses to determine the location and distance of each subnational region’s nearest cardiac surgeon. Catchment areas were defined and characterized. Incident RHD case-to-capacity ratios (ICCR) and surgical need were calculated. Incident RHD and surgical need were mapped at the subnational level across Africa. The human development index (HDI) of each region was then incorporated to assess the impact of socioeconomic disparities. Results: A total of 779 subnational regions from 54 countries were included in the analysis. The African continent has an estimated 509 cardiac surgeons practicing in 74 subnational regions (corresponding to 74 catchment areas) and 1,027,974 incident cases of RHD annually. The average distance to travel for care by a cardiac surgeon was found to be 312.01 km (193.87 miles). The ICCR due to RHD for the African continent was 10.64. Conclusions: Access to cardiac surgical care is limited across Africa despite the high incidence of RHD. While nearly all areas of the continent would benefit from increasing cardiac surgical capacity, attention should be paid towards strategic development of geographically accessible cardiac surgical centers to equitize care for RHD.

The external stenting of saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has been proven to reduce intimal hyperplasia (IH) in animal models, paving the way for human randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to be conducted. Herein, we performed a study-level meta-analysis to assess the impact of the Venous External SupporT (VEST) device, an external stent, on the outcomes of SVGs. A systematic search was conducted to identify all RCTs comparing VEST-stented to non-stented SVGs in patients undergoing CABG. The primary outcome was graft occlusion. The main secondary outcomes were repeat revascularization, SVG IH area, and intimal-medial thickness. Two RCTs totaling 407 patients were included. At a mean follow-up of 1.5 years, there was no difference in graft occlusion between groups (incidence rate ratio: 1.11; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.80–1.53). The rate of repeat revascularization was also similar (odds ratio: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.27–1.64). The IH area (standardized mean difference (SMD): −0.45; 95% CI: −0.79 to −0.10) and intimal-medial thickness (SMD: −0.50; 95% CI: −0.90 to −0.10) were significantly reduced in the VEST group. Our findings show that significant reductions in the IH area and the intimal-medial thickness in VEST-stented SVGs do not currently translate into a lesser need for repeat revascularization or less graft occlusion events compared to non-stented SVGs at 1.5 years after CABG.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a central regulator of vascular homeostasis and a key determinant of saphenous vein graft (SVG) outcomes in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Endothelial dysfunction, driven by altered shear stress, oxidative stress, and cardiovascular risk factors, impairs NO production and release, contributing to SVG thrombosis, intimal hyperplasia, and atherosclerosis. SVG harvesting technique, storage, and intraoperative handling affects endothelial integrity, inflammatory response, and vascular remodeling, influencing arterialization, long-term patency, and clinical outcomes. Preservation of perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) during vein harvesting enhances NO bioavailability, reduces inflammation and oxidative stress, and supports graft adaptation. Internal thoracic artery (ITA) grafts provide durable patency, survival benefit, and NO-mediated vasoprotection, improving SVG function and mitigating maladaptive remodeling. Graft configuration further determines SVG adaptation. ITA-composite SVGs confer continuous NO exposure, promote arterial-like remodeling, and attenuate low shear stress. Optimal secondary prevention, including antiplatelet therapy, statins and lifestyle modifications further preserves endothelial function and reduces SVG failure. Targeting NO through surgical technique, graft configuration, and pharmacologic intervention represents a unifying strategy to enhance SVG performance, arterialization, and long-term outcomes, addressing the current limitation of SVG in CABG.

OBJECTIVES Midline sternotomy is the main surgical access for cardiac surgeries. The most prominent complication of sternotomy is sternal wound infection (SWI). The use of a thorax support vest (TSV) that limits thorax movement and ensures sternal stability has been suggested to prevent postoperative SWI. METHODS We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate differences in clinical outcomes with and without the use of TSV after cardiac surgery in randomized trials. The primary outcome was deep SWI (DSWI). Secondary outcomes were superficial SWI, sternal wound dehiscence, and hospital length of stay (LOS). A trial sequential analysis was performed. Fixed (F) and random effects (R) models were calculated. RESULTS A total of 4 studies (3820 patients) were included. Patients who wore the TSV had lower incidence of DSWI [odds ratio (OR) = F: 0.24, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.13–0.43, P < 0.01; R: 0.24, 0.04–1.59, P = 0.08], sternal wound dehiscence (OR = F: 0.08, 95% CI, 0.02–0.27, P < 0.01; R: 0.10, 0.00–2.20, P = 0.08) and shorter hospital LOS (standardized mean difference = F: −0.30, −0.37 to −0.24, P < 0.01; R: −0.63, −1.29 to 0.02, P = 0.15). There was no difference regarding the incidence of superficial SWI (OR = F: 0.71, 95% CI, 0.34–1.47, P = 0.35; R: 0.64, 0.10, 4.26, P = 0.42). The trial sequential analysis, however, showed that the observed decrease in DSWI in the TSV arm cannot be considered conclusive based on the existing evidence. CONCLUSIONS This meta-analysis suggests that the use of a TSV after cardiac surgery could potentially be associated with a reduction in sternal wound complications. However, despite the significant treatment effect in the available studies, the evidence is not solid enough to provide strong practice recommendations. Currently, midline sternotomy is a widespread method for direct thorax access [1], and despite advancements in minimally invasive surgery, the majority of complex cardiac procedures are performed through midline sternotomy.

Saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) are the most frequently used conduits in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), but their higher rate of occlusion compared to arterial conduits remains a concern. Previous studies have shown that SVG failure is mainly driven by intimal hyperplasia, an adaptative response to higher pressures of the arterial circulation. The VESTTM device (Vascular Graft Solutions, Tel Aviv, Israel), an external support designed to mitigate intimal hyperplasia in SVGs, has been tested in few clinical trials (RCTs). Herein, we descriptively evaluated the randomized evidence on the VEST device.