Volume 62, Issue 2, August 2022

The lack of European registration on durable mechanical circulatory support (MCS) led to the foundation of European Registry for Patients with Mechanical Circulatory Support (EUROMACS) in 2009.

Since its proposal by Cahan in 1960, systematic lymph node dissection (SLND) followed by radical lobectomy has been regarded as the standard procedure for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) [1].

Tracheobronchial obstruction in children is infrequent and usually due to non-malignant conditions.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a severe form of pulmonary hypertension associated with high mortality if untreated [1].

Whilst surgery is widely considered to be the standard of care for the treatment of early-stage lung cancer, considerable variation exists in the threshold of recommendation by clinicians and acceptance by patients [1].

Given the recent improvements in imaging modalities, such as high-resolution computed tomography (CT) and [18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT, early-stage lung cancer is more frequently detected [1].

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a high‐grade neuroendocrine malignancy associated with a high metastatic rate and short survival time, accounting for about 3% of the total lung cancer population [1, 2].

Patient selection, according to the latest ERS/ESTS/EACTS/ESTRO (European Respiratory Society/European Society of Thoracic Surgeons/European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery/European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology) guidelines [1], for an optimal therapy approach, remains difficult considering the limited life expectancy of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) patients and the aggressive treatment.

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a generic term for carcinomas of the oral cavity, the tongue, the parotid gland, the larynx and the pharynx.

Oesophageal cancer is the ninth most common type of cancer worldwide and in Taiwan [1–2].

The closure of a ventricular septal defect (VSD) in patients in upper-income countries typically occurs with low mortality during infancy [1].

Congenital heart disease with left heart structures, which were unable to support the systemic circulation, was universally fatal until the Norwood procedure [1] was developed in the 1980s and this procedure is now routine in many cardiac centres.

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is the most common cyanotic heart malformation in newborns, with an estimated frequency of 0.24 per thousand live births [1].

Atrial septal defect (ASD) is the third most common type of congenital heart disease, with an estimated incidence of 56 per 100 000 live births [1].

Besides primary heart transplantation, the Fontan principle in all its variations is the only surgical treatment option for patients with single-ventricle anatomy [1, 2].

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) remains a complex syndrome involving a multitude of interacting pathophysiologic mechanisms.

Lung transplantation (LTx) offers an extended lifespan and improved quality of life for many patients with advanced refractory lung disease.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a less-invasive alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR).

Several cardiovascular studies have shown a clear inferior outcome in women after cardiac sugery [1–3].

DeBakey I acute aortic dissection (AAD) is a deadly condition without urgent surgical treatment, especially in the elderly [1].

Although open surgical repair remains the gold standard for treatment of arch thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA), the outcomes of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) are excellent, particularly in patients with descending TAA [1, 2].

A penetrating aortic ulcer (PAU) is a component of the acute aortic syndrome (AAS) and may have catastrophic results [1].

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), a localized enlargement of the abdominal aorta, is a life-threatening vascular disease.

An improved understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms underlying cardiac arrhythmias and concurrent evolving technologies have expanded indications for cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) therapy over the past decades [1].

Mesenteric ischaemia is a rare but potentially devestating complication following cardiac surgery.

The reported prevalence of bleeding stress ulcers among patient admitted to intensive care units is 0.6–6.0% [1–5].

Several prospective studies and randomized control trials reported the benefits of multiple arterial grafting (MAG), including a reduction in the need for repeat revascularization, major adverse cardiac events and new myocardial infarction, compared to single arterial grafting (SAG) [1].

There are currently 2 guideline recommended diagnostic criteria to define periprocedural myocardial infarction (PPMI) following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) performed in isolation.

The extended superior transseptal and the left atrial are two of the most common approaches for mitral valve surgery.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a life-threatening condition affecting 3–15 patients per 100,000 with a high morbidity and mortality [1–3].

The prognostic implications of severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) have been reported in several patient cohorts and left untreated, severe TR is associated with poor survival [1, 2].

Sutureless and rapid deployment aortic valve replacement (SURD-AVR) has emerged as an alternative option to conventional sutured AVR in patients presenting with severe aortic valve disease [1].

The replacement of a failing aortic valve with the autologous pulmonary valve, introduced by Donald Nixon Ross >50 years ago [1], is still subject to ongoing dialogue.

Over the last decade, sutureless and rapid-deployment valves have been developed to facilitate surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and promote minimally invasive approaches [1].

Indications for surgical management of left-sided infective endocarditis (IE) include acute heart failure or cardiogenic shock, extensive and uncontrolled local infection, and presence of large vegetations with the aim of reducing the risk of embolization [1].

Mitral valve replacement (MVR) still accounts for a large part of mitral operations: even though mitral valve repair is the preferred surgical approach for degenerative mitral valve disease, MVR is still commonly performed for rheumatic mitral valve disease, functional mitral valve disease, mitral valve endocarditis and some degenerative mitral valvulopathy.

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) has been an area of growing interest fuelled by the recent advances in transcatheter therapies [1, 2].

Mitral translocation is a novel mitral valve (MV) repair operative technique developed to correct secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR) [1, 2].

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) has been identified as an independent prognostic factor associated with excess mortality and morbidity, regardless of left ventricular (LV) function and pulmonary hypertension [1–3].

Aortic valve repair is now recognized as a good alternative to prosthetic valve replacement with low rate of valve-related events and an improved quality of life compared to valve replacement in monocentric studies [1–4].

Mitral valve repair is the preferred treatment for degenerative mitral valve regurgitation.

For extended arch pathologies involving the proximal descending aorta, the exposure afforded by the median sternotomy is less than ideal, and radical replacement of the distal arch by conventional total arch replacement may be impossible.

Acute type A aortic dissection typically involves a primary intimal tear in the ascending aorta.

In December 2021, 3 patients underwent combined minimally invasive mitral valve repair (MVr) and direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB).

A physically healthy 78-year-old male patient underwent biological aortic valve replacement (29 mm, Toronto SPV, St.

Calcified amorphous tumour (CAT) was originally characterized in 1997 by Reynolds et al. [1] as an intracavitary mass consisting of calcification and fibrous material.

The 46-year-old male donor underwent emergency acute type-A aortic dissection repair 4 days prior involving re-suspension of the aortic valve and an interposition graft to the proximal arch (Table 1a).

Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms are increasingly treated with branched endovascular aneurysm repair (BEVAR) via the transfemoral access for the main graft and the transaxillary access for the bridging stent-grafts (BSG), or alternatively, via total transfemoral access [1].

A single lung transplant remains the procedure of choice for certain patients because of the critical donor shortage.

In September 2020, a 61-year-old man suffering from severe aortic valve stenosis underwent elective surgical aortic valve replacement with 25-mm Inspiris Resilia^® (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA).