Volume 38, Issue 4, April 2024

Surgical management of mitral valve (MV) disease is challenging in infants, and options for mitral valve replacement (MVR) are limited in infants with irreparable mitral valve, especially for mitral annular size <15 mm [1].

The Fontan procedure [1, 2], introduced over 50 years ago, represents a landmark surgical intervention designed to address the unique challenges of single ventricle congenital heart defects (CHDs).

Repair of atrioventricular septal defects (AVSDs) is now routinely performed in infancy with good surgical outcomes and a low risk of reoperation [1–3].

Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) has been used for the treatment of cardiogenic shock (CS) since the early 1960s [1].

Veno-venous (VV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support is an established treatment for patients suffering from severe respiratory failure [1].

A best evidence topic was constructed according to a structured protocol.

Traumatic sternal fractures are seen in 8% of blunt thoracic trauma and 18% of multi-trauma cases [1, 2].

Minimally invasive thoracic surgery (MITS) has developed since 1990s, initially with pleural procedures but slowly expanding to Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) anatomical lung resections.

Overextension of a remaining lung with mediastinal shift after pneumonectomy, what is called, postpneumonectomy syndrome, can lead to severe respiratory symptoms such as persistent dyspnoea, haemoptysis and cyanosis.

Chest wall reconstruction (CWR) surgery is a necessary procedure for addressing a variety of conditions affecting the sternum, parasternal cartilage and ribs [1].

Severe mitral valve (MV) disease, comprising both mitral stenosis and mitral regurgitation, is associated with a reduced life expectancy, significant morbidity and development of symptoms affecting daily life [1].

The guiding principle in the allocation of treatment for cardiovascular interventions is risk assessment, which is based primarily on the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score [1, 2].

Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) is a severe life-threatening aortic condition that requires emergency surgical repair [1].

Cardio-surgical procedures using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) can induce a systemic inflammatory response syndrome due to activation of inflammatory cascades.

Endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) or thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has become a widely accepted treatment option for aortic aneurysms [1–2].

Aortic diseases, particularly type A acute aortic dissection, are recognized as life-threatening cardiovascular emergencies.

In recent years, thoracic endovascular repair (TEVAR) has been performed for Stanford type B aortic dissection.

Currently, midline sternotomy is a widespread method for direct thorax access [1], and despite advancements in minimally invasive surgery, the majority of complex cardiac procedures are performed through midline sternotomy.