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Journal and News Scan

Source: Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging
Author(s): Dominik Fleischmann, Rana O. Afifi, Ana I. Casanegra, John A. Elefteriades, Thomas G. Gleason, Kate Hanneman, Eric E. Roselli, Martin J. Willemink, Michael P. Fischbein on behalf of the American Heart Association

This newly released AHA scientific statement offers a comprehensive review of the latest imaging and measurement techniques for patients with chronic aortic dissection and clarifies the need for standardized measurements and reporting for lifelong surveillance. It is divided into seven parts: epidemiology and anatomic spectrum; pathophysiology; managment of chronic aortic dissection; imaging technique; measurement principles; surveillance imaging; and risk stratification and new developments. The emerging role of imaging and computer simulations is examined to predict aortic false lumen degeneration, remodeling, and biomechanical failure from morphological and hemodynamic features.  The writing group also identifies critical knowledge gaps and research needs that may serve as an impetus for additional research and development. 

Source: NPR
Author(s): Malaka Gharib, Nurith Aizemen

Global health champion, Harvard Medical School professor, anthropologist and co-founder of the nonprofit health organization Partners in Health, Dr. Paul Farmer, has died at age 62. This article lists some of Dr. Farmer's accomplishments.

Source: Journal of the American College of Cardiology
Author(s): Ismail El-Hamamsy, Nana Toyoda, Shinobu Itagaki, Paul Stelzer, Robin Varghese, Elbert E. Williams, Natalia Erogova, and David H. Adams

The Ross procedure in adults has recently seen a surge in interest. The aim of this study was to compare long-term outcomes after the Ross procedure vs biological and mechanical aortic valve replacement (AVR) in adults (aged 18-50 years) undergoing aortic valve surgery.

Source: Circulation Research
Author(s): Steffen Pabel, Maria Knierim, Thea Stehle, Felix Alebrand, Michael Paulus, Marcel Sieme, Melissa Herwig, Friedrich Barsch, Thomas Körtl, Arnold Pöppl, Brisca Wenner, Senka Ljubojevic-Holzer, Cristina E. Molina, Nataliya Dybkova, Daniele Camboni, Thomas H. Fischer, Simon Sedej, Daniel Scherr, Christof Schmid, Christoph Brochhausen, Gerd Hasenfuß, Lars S. Maier, Nazha Hamdani, Katrin Streckfuss-Bömeke, Samuel Sossalla

Interesting study of hypertrophied human cardiomyocytes

Source: Wall Street Journal
Author(s): Betsy McKay

Paul Farmer, a physician, anthropologist and humanitarian who gained global acclaim for his work delivering high-quality health care to some of the world’s poorest people, died on Monday on the grounds of a hospital and university he had helped establish in Butaro, Rwanda.

Source: Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging
Author(s): Dominik Fleischmann, Rana O. Afifi, Ana I. Casanegra, John A. Elefteriades, Thomas G. Gleason, Kate Hanneman, Eric E. Roselli, Martin J. Willemink, and Michael P. Fischbein on behalf of the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association has released a scientific statement on imaging and surveillance of chronic aortic dissection, expounding the state-of-the-art imaging and measurement techniques (CT, MR and echocardiography), and clarifying the need for standardized measurements and reporting for lifelong surveillance. 

Source: Stony Brook University News
Author(s): Stony Brook University Writer(s)

A new study that monitors patients who were given “on-pump” or “off-pump” coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) over a ten year time period reveals that outcomes between the two forms of heart bypass surgery are more similar than one may think.

Source: tctMD
Author(s): Michael O'Riordan

Handing a patient off from one anesthesiologist to another during cardiac surgery is associated with significantly higher risks of mortality, as well as longer stays in the ICU and hospital, a new study has shown. Researchers suspect that even though the incoming anesthesiologist is given the patient’s complete medical history, some “intangible” details could be lost in the transfer, contributing to worse outcomes. 

Source: Annals of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Author(s): urania Preventza, Alice Le Huu, Jackie Olive, Davut Cekmecelioglu, Joseph S. Coselli

A useful short review accompanied by media , related to the background of the ARISE Study. The esteemed authors discuss the potential endovascular options for zone 0 for inoperable Acute Aortic Syndromes.

Source: The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
Author(s): Lauren V. Huckaby, MD, MS Ibrahim Sultan, MD Santi Trimarchi, MD, PhD Bradley Leshnower, MD Edward P. Chen, MD Derek R. Brinster, MD Truls Myrmel, MD, PhD Anthony L. Estrera, MD Daniel G. Montgomery, BS Amit Korach, MD Hans-Henning Eckstein, MD Joseph S. Coselli, MD Takeyoshi Ota, MD, PhD Clayton A. Kaiser, MD Kim A. Eagle, MD Himanshu J. Patel, MD Thomas G. Gleason, MD

For women, worse outcomes have been reported with type A acute aortic dissection (TAAD). The authors sought to determine sex-specific operative approaches and outcomes for TAAD in the current era.

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