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Despite the post-operative reduction of RV performance along the long axis suggested by TAPSE and PSV, the absence of a decrease in 3D RVEF leads to caution in the interpretation of these 2D and Doppler parameters after cardiac surgery, supporting the hypothesis of geometrical rather than functional changes in the right ventricle.

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) has been recognized as a cause of complex systemic inflammatory response, which significantly contributes to several adverse postoperative complications. In the last few years, off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting has gained widespread diffusion as an alternative technique to conventional on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Surgeons supporting off-pump surgery state that the avoidance of the CPB and myocardial ischemia-reperfusion significantly reduces the postoperative systemic inflammatory response and other biological derangements and, possibly, may improve the clinical outcomes. We review, here, the available evidence concerning possible differences between off-pump and on-pump procedures in terms of inflammation, hemostasis and oxidative stress. Consistent differences in the involvement of these systems are observed, but they are limited to the final steps of the surgical procedures and the early hours after. These findings suggest that the global surgical trauma may be as important, or even more, as the CPB in terms of systemic inflammatory and coagulation-fibrinolytic pathway activation. Further studies are needed in order to confirm this hypothesis.

Three-dimensional TTE and TEE are feasible and useful methods in identifying the location of MV prolapse. They were superior in the description of pathology in comparison with the corresponding 2D techniques and should be regarded as an important adjunct to standard 2D examinations in decisions regarding MV repair.

This validation study demonstrated that EuroSCORE II is a good predictor of perioperative mortality. It showed an optimal calibration until 30%-predicted mortality. Nonetheless, it does not seem to significantly improve the performance of older versions in the higher tertiles of risk. Moreover, it could be simplified, as the removal from the algorithm of non-significant factors does not alter its performance.

Mitral valve replacement is a suitable option for patients with chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation and impaired left ventricular function. It provides better results in terms of freedom from reoperation with comparable valve-related complication rates.

In line with previous findings, our results indicate that c-kit(+) cardiac progenitors are primitive stem cells endowed with multilineage differentiation ability. They further suggest a possible relationship between these cells and a heart-specific MSC population with cardiovascular commitment potential.

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