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Background: Sex-based differences in mortality have been previously observed in patients with surgically treated infective endocarditis. We sought to evaluate the risk factors leading to this difference. Methods: A retrospective cohort from three centers in Israel comprising 376 surgically treated patients, comparing short- and long-term mortality rates and risk factors between female and male patients. Results: Compared to male patients, female patients had higher rates of hypertension (62% vs. 48%), higher rates of Gram-negative infections (20% vs. 11%), and more mitral valve replacement (55% vs. 42%). Diabetes and age were the most significant predictors for mortality and did not differ between female and male patients. In-hospital mortality rates did not differ between female and male patients (29% vs. 26%), and the difference in long-term mortality was not statistically significant (46% vs. 36% p = 0.088). Conclusions: No statistical difference was observed in short- and long-term mortality between female and male patients, most likely due to a lack of difference in the rates of important risk factors such as diabetes and age. Mortality rates decreased in the last 10 years, and a good prognosis is observed for patients surviving the initial 30 days after surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Risk factors control and secondary prevention measures are often reported to be suboptimal in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and may lead to worse clinical outcomes. We aimed to examine potentially modifiable risk factors in patients undergoing CABG and investigate their association with long-term coronary events. Methods Cardiovascular risk factors were recorded preoperatively in the setting of a cardiac catheterization laboratory and were analyzed in relation to long-term coronary events, defined as acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or revascularization after CABG. Results Study population included 1,125 patients undergoing CABG without previous revascularization. Modifiable risk factors included hypertension (71%), hyperlipidemia (67%), diabetes (42%), obesity (28%), and smoking (21%). Only 8% did not have any of the five risk factors. During the mean follow-up of 93 ± 52 months after CABG, 179 patients (16%) experienced a coronary event. Incidence rates were higher in patients with than without the presence of each of the modifiable risk factors, except obesity. Active smoking (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.51; 95% confidence interval [CI]: (1.07–2.13); p = 0.020), presence of diabetes (HR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.18–2.18; p = 0.002), and hyperlipidemia (HR: 2.13; 95% CI: 1.45–3.14; p < 0.001) were independent predictors of future coronary events after CABG; they also displayed a progressive stepwise increment in the risk of long-term coronary events when cumulatively present. Conclusions In patients undergoing CABG, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and smoking, as documented preoperatively, were potentially modifiable risk factors that were independently and cumulatively associated with long-term risk of ACS or coronary revascularization, highlighting the importance of early identification and risk factors control for improving cardiovascular health after CABG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia with a large impact on society and on patients. Rheumatic valve disease is still prevalent in low‐ and medium‐income countries. Performing surgical ablation during surgery for mitral valve disease has been shown to restore sinus rhythm in most patients. Aims, Materials and methods: In this issue of the Journal of Cardiac Surgery, Ma et al., publish a meta‐analysis of surgical ablation in patients with rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Results: They found no difference in short‐term outcomes with a higher incidence of restoration to sinus rhythm. In mid‐ to long‐term follow‐up, there was no difference in mortality with a signal towards more permanent pacemaker implantation. Discussion and Conclusion: Despite some inherent limitations and some methodological flows, this meta‐analysis has important insights and is valuable for surgeons taking care of patients with RHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]