Short MS, insufficient difference between MS length and implantation depth, and the presence of calcification in the basal septum, factors that may all facilitate mechanical compression of the conduction tissue by the implanted valve, predict conduction abnormalities after TAVI with self-expandable valves. CT assessment of membranous septal anatomy provides unique pre-procedural information about the patient-specific propensity for the risk of AV block.

Our results show that the right atrium is the best source for c-kit(+) and Islet-1 progenitors, with higher percentages of c-kit(+) cells being produced by women.

In isolated posterior mitral valve pathology, quality of mitral valve repair with the port-access approach can compare with that with the conventional median sternotomy approach.

Sutureless bioprosthetic valves demonstrate improved hemodynamic performance compared with stented valves in elderly patients with small aortic annulus, providing better regression of left ventricular hypertrophy and decreased rates of patient-prosthesis mismatch. Aortic cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times are also decreased.

Hyperlactatemia is common after cardiac surgery. Maximal lactate threshold ≥4.4 mmol/l in the first 10 h after operation accurately predicts postoperative mortality.

The aortic annulus, generally elliptic, assumes a more round shape in systole, thus increasing CSA without substantial change in perimeter. Perimeter changes are negligible in patients with calcified valves, because tissue properties allow very little expansion. Aortic annulus perimeter appears therefore ideally suited for accurate sizing in transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Mitral annuloplasty for Barlow disease patients with multisegment involvement and mainly central regurgitant jet is both simple and reproducible with excellent late outcomes.

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