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This article, published in the journal Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgeon, explores the relationship between calcium-induced left atrial and right atrial contractile forces and kinetics, preoperative patient state, and postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after elective on pump cardiac surgery. The study evaluated 119 patients who had preoperative sinus rhythm, with 54 patients developing POAF postoperatively. The results showed altered contractile and kinetic conduct of cardiac myofilaments and intact muscle cells in POAF patients before the clinical appearance after cardiac surgery. The authors suggest that detecting these patients preoperatively could potentially change the prophylaxis, treatment, and outcome of POAF patients. [Extracted from the article]

This article, titled "Cerebral Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Monitoring as a Predictor for Postoperative Inadequate Emergence Following Anesthesia in Adult Cardiac Surgery Patients: Myth or Reality?", explores the association between cerebral oxygen saturation decrease and inadequate emergence after cardiac surgery. The study included 309 patients over the age of 50 who underwent elective cardiac surgery. The results showed that patients with inadequate emergence had a longer duration of cerebral oxygen saturation reduction and ventilation. However, further research is needed to confirm these findings in a larger sample size. [Extracted from the article]

This article compares the long-term outcomes of two different procedures for aortic valve replacement in middle-aged adults. The study included 2,622 patients who received either a biological aortic valve replacement (bioAVR) or the Ross procedure. The results showed that after 10 years of follow-up, the Ross procedure had significantly better survival rates and fewer major adverse cardiovascular events compared to bioAVR. The authors conclude that the Ross procedure should be recommended for middle-aged adults whenever possible. [Extracted from the article]

This article examines the impact of different types of tricuspid annuloplasty rings on right ventricular function in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery. The study included 109 patients who received either a three-dimensional rigid ring or a ring annuloplasty with flexible bands. The results showed that after 5 years of follow-up, the rigid ring annuloplasty was associated with lower incidence of tricuspid regurgitation and better right ventricular remodeling compared to the flexible band annuloplasty. These findings suggest that the choice of annuloplasty ring may have long-term implications for patient outcomes. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the role of sarcopenia, a condition characterized by low muscle mass, as a potential marker for mortality in patients undergoing VA-ECMO implantation for postcardiotomy shock. The study retrospectively analyzed 439 patients who underwent ECMO implantation and identified 144 patients who had a perioperative computed tomography scan. The study found that patients with sarcopenia had a significantly higher 30-day mortality rate compared to those without sarcopenia. The authors suggest that sarcopenia could be used as a supplemental tool for risk stratification in these patients. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Mouse orthotopic lung transplantation (MOLTx) models are extremely useful. However, there are only few studies on non-invasive monitoring methods for lung rejection in these models. Additionally, a model of chronic rejection has so far been difficult to reproduce consistently with MOLTx. Objective: To determine if CT scan of the lung graft can be considered a useful noninvasive monitoring method of evaluation of graft rejection in an animal lung transplantation model. Methods: Left MOLTx was performed from B10 donors into B6 recipients (from B6 donors for syngeneic controls). Following transplantation, 3 different doses of cyclosporine--5, 15, and 25 mg/kg daily--were administered in the first week to suppress acute rejection. Positive controls did not receive cyclosporine. 8 weeks after transplantation, CT and histological rejection grading were performed. Results: The negative controls did not show any inflammation. Positive controls revealed moderate acute rejection (A3). A3 was also detected in the 5-mg/kg group (100%). The 15-mg/kg group (n=7) demonstrated A3 in 4 mice and mild acute rejection (A2) in the remaining 3 mice. In this group, 4 mice had bronchiolitis obliterans (BO; C1, 57%). The 25-mg/kg group (n=3) showed A3 changes in 1 and A2 in 2 mice. On CT scan, lungs without BO (C0) had radiodensities of -278.1±110.7 Hounsfield units (HU). C1 lungs had ground-glass opacity or atelectasis with -83.4±46.8 HU (C0 vs. C1, p<0.001). On grouping with A2 or A3 in C0, significant differences were detected: -375.3±41.2 vs. -185.0±38.4 HU (A2+C0 vs. A3+C0, respectively), p=0.01. Conclusion: BO can be modeled using this MOLTx model by administration of subtherapeutic doses of cyclosporine. CT scans are a valid tool for monitoring of rejection following MOLTx. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]