Aortic valve replacement is the definitive management for severe aortic stenosis. Intraoperatively, an aortic root enlargement (ARE) may be used to facilitate the implementation of a suitably sized prosthetic valve. This is to prevent patient prosthesis mismatch (PPM), a condition that causes a left ventricular outflow obstruction. There are four main techniques that are used to perform ARE, namely, Nicks, Manouguian, Nunez (modified Manouguian), and Kanno-Rastan procedures. They each involve incisions through different anatomical structures and allow a variety of valve sizes to be implanted. Studies prove that ARE effectively reduces the incidence of PPM. In addition, they show that there is no definitive link between ARE and perioperative mortality or other complications. There is a scarcity of literature exploring the comparative outcomes of each surgical technique. Therefore, further research is warranted for these procedures to be compared adequately. This review aims to summarise the available literature surrounding ARE with respect to three main questions. (1) What are the indications for ARE, (2) what surgical techniques exist to facilitate ARE, and (3) are there significant differences in patient outcomes when these surgical techniques are employed?

Stroke is the second leading cause of death globally. Despite the decreasing trend in stroke mortality, its incidence and prevalence follow an upwards trajectory that is envisaged to continue for years to come. Previous literature has suggested a role for infectious disease in stroke aetiology; however, the pathophysiological basis for this has never fully been understood. Emerging infections, such as coronavirus disease (COVID-19), present new challenges that must be addressed, to prevent them from contributing to the predicted rise in stroke incidence. Almost one in 20 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 experience a stroke thereafter, hence achieving better understanding of the interactions between these disease entities is of major clinical significance.

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Background: Phrenic nerve injury is a common complication of cardiac and thoracic surgical procedures, with potentially severe effects on the health of a child. This review aims to summarise the available literature on the diagnosis and management of PNI post-cardiac surgery in paediatric patients with CHD. Main body: The presence of injury post-surgery can be difficult to detect and may present with non-specific symptoms, emphasising the importance of an effective diagnostic strategy. Chest X-ray is usually the first investigation for a suspected diagnosis of PNI, which is usually confirmed using fluoroscopy, ultrasound scan, or phrenic nerve stimulation (gold standard). Management options include supportive ventilation and/or invasive diaphragmatic plication surgery. While the optimal timing of plication surgery remains controversial, it is now the most widely accepted treatment for PNI in children post-CHD surgery, especially for very young patients who cannot be weaned off supportive ventilation. Further research is needed to determine the optimal timing of surgical intervention for positive outcomes and to explore the benefits of using minimally invasive surgical techniques in children. Conclusion: PNI is a common and serious complication of CHD surgery, therefore, its diagnosis and management in the paediatric population are of major importance. Further research is needed to determine the optimal timing of surgical intervention for positive outcomes and to explore the benefits of using minimally invasive surgical techniques in children.