Lung cancer is the most prevalent and lethal cancer globally, necessitating accurate differentiation between benign and malignant pulmonary nodules to guide treatment decisions. This study aims to develop a predictive model that integrates artificial intelligence (AI) analysis with biomarkers to enhance early detection and stratification of lung nodule malignancy.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is associated with extremely high surgical mortality. During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, hospitals restructured their intensive care units and outpatient services to prioritize COVID-19 care, which may have affected the outcomes of patients requiring urgent procedures. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on surgical outcomes of IE patients in Southern Germany.

 Although advancements in the management of thoracic aortic disease have led to a reduction in acute mortality, individuals requiring postoperative reintervention experience substantially worse long-term clinical outcomes and increased mortality. We aimed to identify the risk factors for postoperative reintervention in this high-risk population.

A single-center retrospective study was initialized to investigate the occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) and its impact on short- and long-term outcomes after aortic valve replacement in patients with aortic stenosis (AS) and complex coronary artery disease (CAD).

 This study aimed to determine the impact of symptom-to-surgery time on mortality in acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) patients, with and without malperfusion.

 Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is a standard postoperative marker for hemolysis in the presence of paravalvular leakage (PVL) after replacement of the aortic valve (AVR). LDH is elevated in certain valves by a fluttering phenomenon. Previous studies suggested a correlation between microparticles (MPs) and LDH elevation after AVR. Thus, we analyze the postoperative relevance of LDH after AVR with transapical transcatheter aortic valves (TA-TAVs) or rapid deployment valves (RDVs).

 The goal of this study is to examine early and midterm results after surgical treatment of acute DeBakey type I aortic dissection (AIAD) and the effect of the range of aortic arch replacement on overall survival and prevention of distal aortic events.

 Cardioplegia, a therapy designed to induce reversible cardiac arrest, revolutionized cardiovascular surgery. Among the various pharmacological approaches is the histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution. Despite numerous studies, no meta-analysis has investigated the efficacy of the HTK solution in the pediatric population. Therefore, we aim to conduct a meta-analysis comparing HTK and other cardioplegia solutions in pediatric patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery.

 The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the feasibility and safety of intraoperative invasive coronary angiography (ICA) following coronary artery bypass grafting using a mobile angiography C-arm.

 Difficult airway management is essential in anesthesia practice. Particular challenges are posed to patients who require intraoperative one-lung ventilation. Specific guidelines for these scenarios have been lacking. The recent update of German guidelines incorporates recommendations for securing the airway in anticipated difficult airway scenarios in patients requiring one-lung ventilation. However, scientific data on this specific topic is rare.

Objectives We evaluated and compared incidence and evolution of atrioventricular and intraventricular conduction disorders following rapid deployment AVR and conventional AVR. Methods 147 patients who underwent isolated rapid deployment AVR between 2017 and 2021 as well as 128 patients after conventional biological AVR in the same period were included in this study. ECGs recorded at baseline, discharge and 12 months were retrospectively analyzed. Results Patients in both groups had comparable a STS score (2.9 ± 1.6 vs 3.1 ± 2.2 p=0.32) and comparable baseline characteristics. At discharge the mean QRS width in the RDAVR group was significantly increased with 117.4  28.6 ms and a mean  QRS width of 21.7  26.3 ms (p<0.001) compared to baseline. No significant changes of QRS width were found in the AVR group with a mean value of 101.2  24.1 ms and a mean  QRS width of 3.9  23.9 ms at discharge (p=0.193). Left bundle branch block was increased in the RDAVR group after 12 months (19.3% vs 5.1% p<0.001) Permanent pacemaker implantation rates were significantly higher in the RDAVR group after 12months. (HR: 4.68; 95% CI: 2.23 - 7.43 p<0.001) Mortality did not differ in both groups after 12 months (HR: 1.09; 95% CI: 0.46 - 1.83; p = 0.835) Conclusions Patients after RDAVR showed significant higher rates of left bundle branch block with significantly increased QRS width and permanent pacemaker implantation after 12 months. However, higher mortality was not observed in the RDAVR group.

 Rapid and accurate diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE) allows timely management of this life-threatening disease and improves outcome. The Duke criteria have traditionally been the clinical method for diagnosing IE. These criteria were reformulated at different timepoints. We aimed to evaluate the real accuracy of the modified Duke criteria based on several studies that concluded the diagnosis of IE.

Aortic valve replacement improves and prolongs lives of patients with aortic valve disease, but requires significant healthcare resources, which are mainly determined by the length of associated hospital stays. Therefore, this study aims to identify risk factors for extended length of stay after surgical aortic valve replacement. Between 2018 and 2023, 458 consecutive patients underwent isolated surgical aortic valve replacement at our center and were included in our analysis. To identify independent predictors for hospital and intensive care unit stay, multivariable linear regression analysis using backward elimination process was performed. Upon multivariable linear regression, endocarditis [regression coefficient (β) 2.98; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.51, 4.45; p<0.001)] and prior aortic valve surgery (β 1.72; 95% CI 0.18, 3.26; p=0.029) were associated with prolonged hospital stay. Prior aortic valve surgery was associated with prolonged intensive care unit stay (β 0.99; 95% CI 0.39, 1.59; p=0.001) as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (β 1.61; 95% CI 0.66, 2.55; p=0.001), smaller prosthetic valve sizes (β -0.18; 95% CI -0.30, -0.06; p=0.003), preoperative atrial fibrillation (β 1.06; 95% CI 0.32, 1.79; p=0.005), and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (β -0.03; 95% CI -0.05, -0.01; p=0.006). Pending further validation, structured programs aiming to accelerate intensive care unit and hospital discharge after surgical aortic valve replacement should focus on patients with prior cardiac surgery, atrial fibrillation, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Surgeons should aim to implant large-diameter valves. Furthermore, the identified predictors should be used to discuss surgical versus transcatheter procedures in the interdisciplinary heart team.

 The aim of this study is to compare the insertion sites of drainage tubes placed in the left thorax after elective coronary artery bypass grafting surgeries.

 Coronary artery disease (CAD) limits life expectancy compared to the general population. Myocardial infarctions (MIs) are the primary cause of death. The incidence of MI increases progressively with age and most MI deaths occur in the population older than 70 years. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) may prevent the occurrence of new MIs by bypassing most CAD lesions, providing downstream "collateralization" to the diseased vessel, and consequently prolonging survival. We systematically assessed the survival-improving potential of CABG by comparing elderly CABG patients to the age-matched general population.

 Respiratory muscle strength affects pulmonary function after lung resection; however, the role of diaphragm density, an emerging index of muscle quality, remains unexplored. We investigated the role of crural diaphragm density (CDD) in respiratory complications (RC) after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy for lung cancer.

 Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is one of the revascularization modalities available in patients with left ventricular dysfunction (LVD). Multiple arterial grafting (MAG) is associated with improved long-term outcomes. Data on the benefits of MAG in patients with LVD are limited. We examined the effect of MAG on outcomes across the spectrum of left ventricle (LV) function.

There is uncertainty regarding the impact of high-intensity statins on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing surgical myocardial revascularization. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of high-intensity statin treatment on the occurrence rate of new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB).

 Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can influence pharmacokinetics. We investigated the vancomycin dosage in children on ECMO compared to critically ill children to determine the necessary dosage adjustment on ECMO.