Volume 64, Issue 4, October 2023

Lung cancer screening with low radiation dose computed tomography commonly detects incidental findings. This collaborative statement reviews the evidence and how this informs a clinically effective approach to these findings. https://bit.ly/3qlrlD3

Thoracic endometriosis-related pneumothorax (TERP) is caused by endometrial tissues reaching the pleural cavity through unknown mechanisms.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide [1].

The outcome of single ventricle palliation with the Fontan circulation is strongly compromised by atrioventricular valve regurgitation (AVVR).

Subaortic stenosis (SAS) represents a rare congenital heart defect accounting for 1–2% of all congenital cardiac anomalies [1].

A variety of biomaterials including autologous pericardium are available for use as patches for the repair of congenital heart defects (CHD).

Stem cell therapies have recently been shown to be feasible and safe interventions for treating patients with congenital heart diseases, such as dilated cardiomyopathy and single-ventricle lesions [1, 2].

While remarkable advances have been made in durable mechanical support devices over the last decade, orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) remains the preferred treatment for end-stage heart failure refractory to optimal medical therapy.

Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) is a potentially lethal condition and requires urgent surgical repair [1].

Gluing layers of dissected aortic tissue forms a fundamental component in the armamentarium of aortic surgeons.

Although endovascular repair of a descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) has been increasingly performed with better perioperative morbidity and mortality rates than those of open repair, the attained perioperative advantages are valid only during the early postoperative period [1–3].

The incidence of prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) of the aortic valve is increasing, and the surgical procedures to treat these conditions are complex, frequently requiring aortic root replacement (ARR) for associated root abscess.

Most endografts currently available for thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) require at least 20 mm of healthy aortic wall for an adequate proximal sealing according to their instructions for use, with European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) recommending 25 mm [1].

Anastomoses connecting robust prosthetic material with native tissue are known vulnerable locations, predominantly after previous repair of an acute aortic dissection [1].

Co-presentation with both valve and coronary disease is growing with the advancing age and clinical complexity of patients referred for cardiac surgery [1].

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have progressively replaced vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in the treatment of venous thromboembolism and atrial fibrillation (AF).

In cardiothoracic research, many studies aim for causal inference by comparing different surgical interventions or strategies.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantations are nowadays an established less invasive therapy for aortic valve stenosis, the most common valvular pathology in need of treatment [1–4].

The Ross procedure is traditionally offered to young adult patients with expected long-term survival to avoid the potential of early bioprosthetic valve failure and the risk of long-term anticoagulation and shortened life expectancy with mechanical valves [1, 2].

Surgical mitral valve (MV) repair represents the treatment of choice to address severe degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR).

Neurological injury is a devastating complication after cardiovascular surgery.