Hospital Results of a Single Center Database for Stentless Xenograft Use in a Full Root Technique in Over 970 Patients

Our aim was to analyse the hospital outcome for the worldwide largest series of stentless bioroot xenografts (Medtronic Freestyle) as full root replacement in a single centre over a period of 18 years. Retrospective data analysis was performed for the entire cohort of patients undergoing aortic root surgery with the Medtronic Freestyle valve prosthesis. Logistic regression analysis was performed to analyse predictors of in-hospital mortality. 971 patients underwent aortic full root replacement with the Medtronic Freestyle valve in the period from 1999-2017, with an average age of 68.8 +/- 10.3y and gender distribution of 608:363 (male:female). Concomitant surgery was performed in 693 patients (71.4%). In-hospital allcomers mortality was 9.8% (95 patients), with the respective highest risk profiles including dissections (6.4%), endocarditis (5.6%) and re-do procedures (12.5%). In-hospital mortality for elective patients was 7.6% while isolated aortic root replacement demonstrated a mortality of 3.6%. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated age (OR 1.05, p = 0.005), dissection (OR 5.78, p < 0.001) and concomitant bypass surgery (OR 2.68, p < 0.001) as preoperative risk factors for the entire cohort. Postoperative analysis demonstrated myocardial infarction (OR 48.6, p < 0.001) and acute kidney injury (OR 20.2, p < 0.001) to be independent risk factors influencing mortality. This analysis presents a work-through of all patients with stentless bioroot treatment without positive selection in a high-volume clinical center with the largest experience world-wide for this form of complex surgery. Isolated aortic root replacement could be performed at acceptable operative risk for this technically-challenging procedure

Nanotechnology for environmentally sustainable electromobility

ABSTRACT: Electric vehicles (EVs) powered by lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) or proton exchange membrane hydrogen fuel cells (PEMFCs) offer important potential climate change mitigation effects when combined with clean energy sources. The development of novel nanomaterials may bring about the next wave of technical improvements for LIBs and PEMFCs. If the next generation of EVs is to lead to not only reduced emissions during use but also environmentally sustainable production chains, the research on nanomaterials for LIBs and PEMFCs should be guided by a life-cycle perspective. In this Analysis, we describe an environmental life-cycle screening framework tailored to assess nanomaterials for electromobility. By applying this framework, we offer an early evaluation of the most promising nanomaterials for LIBs and PEMFCs and their potential contributions to the environmental sustainability of EV life cycles. Potential environmental trade-offs and gaps in nanomaterials research are identified to provide guidance for future nanomaterial developments for electromobility

Ezetimibe added to statin therapy after acute coronary syndromes

BACKGROUND: Statin therapy reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and the risk of cardiovascular events, but whether the addition of ezetimibe, a nonstatin drug that reduces intestinal cholesterol absorption, can reduce the rate of cardiovascular events further is not known. METHODS: We conducted a double-blind, randomized trial involving 18,144 patients who had been hospitalized for an acute coronary syndrome within the preceding 10 days and had LDL cholesterol levels of 50 to 100 mg per deciliter (1.3 to 2.6 mmol per liter) if they were receiving lipid-lowering therapy or 50 to 125 mg per deciliter (1.3 to 3.2 mmol per liter) if they were not receiving lipid-lowering therapy. The combination of simvastatin (40 mg) and ezetimibe (10 mg) (simvastatin-ezetimibe) was compared with simvastatin (40 mg) and placebo (simvastatin monotherapy). The primary end point was a composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, unstable angina requiring rehospitalization, coronary revascularization ( 6530 days after randomization), or nonfatal stroke. The median follow-up was 6 years. RESULTS: The median time-weighted average LDL cholesterol level during the study was 53.7 mg per deciliter (1.4 mmol per liter) in the simvastatin-ezetimibe group, as compared with 69.5 mg per deciliter (1.8 mmol per liter) in the simvastatin-monotherapy group (P<0.001). The Kaplan-Meier event rate for the primary end point at 7 years was 32.7% in the simvastatin-ezetimibe group, as compared with 34.7% in the simvastatin-monotherapy group (absolute risk difference, 2.0 percentage points; hazard ratio, 0.936; 95% confidence interval, 0.89 to 0.99; P = 0.016). Rates of pre-specified muscle, gallbladder, and hepatic adverse effects and cancer were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: When added to statin therapy, ezetimibe resulted in incremental lowering of LDL cholesterol levels and improved cardiovascular outcomes. Moreover, lowering LDL cholesterol to levels below previous targets provided additional benefit