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The crucial role of water in the engine of life have encouraged many researchers in studying, both theoretically and experimentally, the possible \"structure\" of water. Many properties of water have been related to the interplay between two distinct and interconverting structural species, namely the low-density water (LDW) and the high-density water (HDW). Supported by the results obtained with other aqueous solutions, this paper deals with the possibility of using the ultra-weak delayed luminescence (DL) to investigate water structuring in a mixture with glycerol, characterized only by hydrogen bonds between the various molecules. Spectral and temporal characteristics of DL decays give information on the two components of the mixture, by evidencing the contribution of water at glycerol concentrations close to the values used in cryopreservation. DL results have shown a correlation with LDW clusters size as determined by other researchers on the basis of neutron diffraction experiments and computational modelling, as reported in Literature.

Detection of high glycated hemoglobin (A1c) is associated with worse postoperative outcomes, including predisposition to develop systemic and local infectious events. Diabetes and infectious Outcomes in Cardiac Surgery (DOCS) study is a retrospective case–control study aimed to assess in DM and non-DM cardiac surgery patients if a new screening and management model, consisting of systematic A1c evaluation followed by a specialized DM consult, could reduce perioperative infections and 30-days mortality. Effective July 2021, all patients admitted to the cardiac surgery of IRCCS ISMETT were tested for A1c. According to the new protocol, glucose values of patients with A1c ≥ 6% or with known diabetes were monitored. The diabetes team was activated to manage therapy daily until discharge or provide indications for the diagnostic-therapeutic process. Propensity score was used to match 573 patients managed according to the new protocol (the Screen+ Group) to 573 patients admitted before July 2021 and subjected to the traditional management (Screen−). Perioperative prevalence of infections from any cause, including surgical wound infections (SWI), was significantly lower in the Screen+ as compared with the Screen− matched patients (66 [11%] vs. 103 [18%] p  = 0.003). No significant difference was observed in 30-day mortality. A1c analysis identified undiagnosed DM in 12% of patients without known metabolic conditions. In a population of patients undergoing cardiac surgery, systematic A1c evaluation at admission followed by specialist DM management reduces perioperative infectious complications, including SWI. Furthermore, A1c screening for patients undergoing cardiac surgery unmasks unknown DM and enhances risk stratification.

Despite the withdrawal of the HeartWare Ventricular Assist Device (HVAD), hundreds of patients are still supported with this continuous-flow pump, and the long-term management of these patients is still under debate. This study aims to analyse 5 years survival and freedom from major adverse events in patients supported by HVAD and HeartMate3 (HM3). From 2010 to 2022, the MIRAMACS Italian Registry enrolled all-comer patients receiving a LVAD support at seven Cardiac Surgery Centres. Out of 447 LVAD implantation, 214 (47.9%) received HM3 and 233 (52.1%) received HVAD. Cox-regression analysis adjusted for major confounders showed an increased risk for mortality (HR 1.5 [1.2–1.9]; p = 0.031), for both ischemic stroke (HR 2.08 [1.06–4.08]; p = 0.033) and haemorrhagic stroke (HR 2.6 [1.3–4.9]; p = 0.005), and for pump thrombosis (HR 25.7 [3.5–188.9]; p < 0.001) in HVAD patients. The propensity-score matching analysis (130 pairs of HVAD vs. HM3) confirmed a significantly lower 5 years survival (41.7% vs. 64.1%; p 0.02), freedom from haemorrhagic stroke (90.5% vs. 70.1%; p < 0.001) and from pump thrombosis (98.5% vs. 74.7%; p < 0.001) in HVAD cohort. Although similar perioperative outcome, patients implanted with HVAD developed a higher risk for mortality, haemorrhagic stroke and thrombosis during 5 years of follow-up compared to HM3 patients.

European surgeons were the first worldwide to use robotic techniques in cardiac surgery and major steps in procedure development were taken in Europe. After a hype in the early 2000s case numbers decreased but due to technological improvements renewed interest can be noted. We assessed the current activities and outcomes in robotically assisted cardiac surgery on the European continent. Data were collected in an international anonymized registry of 26 European centers with a robotic cardiac surgery program. During a 4-year period (2016-2019), 2,563 procedures were carried out [30.0% female, 58.5 (15.4) years old, EuroSCORE II 1.56 (1.74)], including robotically assisted coronary bypass grafting ( = 1266, 49.4%), robotic mitral or tricuspid valve surgery ( = 945, 36.9%), isolated atrial septal defect closure ( = 225, 8.8%), left atrial myxoma resection ( = 54, 2.1%), and other procedures ( = 73, 2.8%). The number of procedures doubled during the study period (from = 435 in 2016 to = 923 in 2019). The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time in pump assisted cases was 148.6 (63.5) min and the myocardial ischemic time was 88.7 (46.1) min. Conversion to larger thoracic incisions was required in 56 cases (2.2%). Perioperative rates of revision for bleeding, stroke, and mortality were 56 (2.2%), 6 (0.2 %), and 27 (1.1%), respectively. Median postoperative hospital length of stay was 6.6 (6.6) days. Robotic cardiac surgery case numbers in Europe are growing fast, including a large spectrum of procedures. Conversion rates are low and clinical outcomes are favorable, indicating safe conduct of these high-tech minimally invasive procedures.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/ti.2023.11675.].[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/ti.2023.11675.].

Recurrent myocardial infarction (re-MI) is a common event following acute coronary syndrome (ACS), especially during the first year. According to epidemiological studies, patients who experience re-MI are at higher risk of all-cause cardiovascular events and mortality. The cornerstones of re-MI prevention include complete functional coronary revascularization, effective dual antiplatelet therapy and secondary prevention strategies. Notwithstanding this, some controversy still exists on the definition and management of re-MI, and no dedicated studies have been designed or conducted so far in this setting. We here provide an overview of epidemiological and prognostic data on ACS patients experiencing re-MI, along with current available treatment and preventive options.

Salvage coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is often performed for cardiogenic shock on compassionate basis without clinical data justifying this aggressive approach. The aim of this study was to analyze early and intermediate outcomes after salvage CABG. We retrospectively reviewed the data of 85 patients who underwent salvage CABG at 11 European cardiac surgery centers. Salvage CABG was defined according to the EuroSCORE criteria, that is, a procedure performed in patients requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation (external cardiac massage) en route to the operating theater or before induction of anesthesia. A percutaneous coronary intervention procedure preceded salvage CABG in 55 patients (64.7%). Thirty patients (35.3%) died during the inhospital stay. The mean EuroSCORE II was 32.0% and the observed-to-expected ratio was 1.08. Salvage CABG was associated with high rates of postoperative stroke (9.4%), resternotomy for bleeding (23.5%), resternotomy for hemodynamic instability (15.3%), dialysis (18.8%), severe gastrointestinal complications (12.9%), and deep sternal wound infection (10.6%). Survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 58.6%, 49.8%, and 40.9%, respectively. Twenty patients (23.5%) were postoperatively treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The rates of adverse events after ECMO were particularly high (stroke 40%, resternotomy for bleeding 60%, dialysis 35%, gastrointestinal complications 30%, and deep sternal wound infection 30%). Of patients treated with ECMO, 8 (40%) survived to discharge, and 1-year survival was 29.2%. Salvage CABG is associated with high risk of immediate mortality and severe adverse events. However, the observed immediate and intermediate outcome justify coronary surgery in these critically ill patients. A number of these patients are currently treated by ECMO, and its results are encouraging.

Background Clinical evidence in coronary surgery is usually derived from retrospective, single institutional series. This may introduce significant biases in the analysis of critical issues in the treatment of these patients. In order to avoid such methodological limitations, we planned a European multicenter, prospective study on coronary artery bypass grafting, the E-CABG registry. Design The E-CABG registry is a multicenter study and its data are prospectively collected from 13 centers of cardiac surgery in university and community hospitals located in six European countries (England, Italy, Finland, France, Germany, Sweden). Data on major and minor immediate postoperative adverse events will be collected. Data on late all-cause mortality, stroke, myocardial infarction and repeat revascularization will be collected during a 10-year follow-up period. These investigators provided a score from 0 to 10 for any major postoperative adverse events and their rounded medians were used to stratify the severity of these complications in four grades. The sum of these scores for each complication/intervention occurring after coronary artery bypass grafting will be used as an additive score for further stratification of the prognostic importance of these events. Discussion The E-CABG registry is expected to provide valuable data for identification of risk factors and treatment strategies associated with suboptimal outcome. These information may improve the safety and durability of coronary artery bypass grafting. The proposed classification of postoperative complications may become a valuable research tool to stratify the impact of such complications on the outcome of these patients and evaluate the burden of resources needed for their treatment. Clinical Trials number NCT02319083

Epigenetic modifications play a fundamental role in the progression of coronary artery disease (CAD). This panoramic review aims to provide an overview of the current understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms involved in CAD pathogenesis and highlights the potential implications for personalized medicine approaches. Epigenetics is the study of heritable changes that do not influence alterations in the DNA sequence of the genome. It has been shown that epigenetic processes, including DNA/histone methylation, acetylation, and phosphorylation, play an important role. Additionally, miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs are also involved in epigenetics, regulating gene expression patterns in response to various environmental factors and lifestyle choices. In the context of CAD, epigenetic alterations contribute to the dysregulation of genes involved in inflammation, oxidative stress, lipid metabolism, and vascular function. These epigenetic changes can occur during early developmental stages and persist throughout life, predisposing individuals to an increased risk of CAD. Furthermore, in recent years, the concept of personalized medicine has gained significant attention. Personalized medicine aims to tailor medical interventions based on an individual’s unique genetic, epigenetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. In the context of CAD, understanding the interplay between genetic variants and epigenetic modifications holds promise for the development of more precise diagnostic tools, risk stratification models, and targeted therapies. This review summarizes the current knowledge of epigenetic mechanisms in CAD and discusses the fundamental principles of personalized medicine.

Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2D TTE) and two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (2D TEE) are regarded as the main imaging techniques for the assessment of degenerative mitral valve regurgitation (DMVR). However, describing the complex morphology of DMVR with 2D TTE and 2D TEE remains at the very least challenging. Three-dimensional (3D) TEE is an ideal technique for illustrating the extremely variable morphology of DMVR, providing images of unparalleled quality in terms of anatomical detail. In this review, we describe the key role of 3D TEE in various morphological scenarios that reflect everyday experiences in an echocardiographic laboratory. We also discuss the growing role of 3D TEE in mitral valve (MV) transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) and new modalities such as photorealistic and transparent displays, surface rendering parametric color maps, new algorithms for MVR quantification, and the potential role of new mini-TEE probes in adult patients with DMVR.