David Schibilsky

Ablation of an electrical storm in a patient with giant cell myocarditis using continuous flow left ventricular assist device and percutaneous right ventricular assist device

a Medizinische Klinik III, Kardiologie und Kreislauferkrankungen, Eberhard Karls Universitat Tubingen, Otfried-Muller-Strase 10, 72076 Tubingen, Germany b Universitatsklinik fur Thorax-, Herzund Gefaschirurgie, Eberhard Karls Universitat Tubingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Strase 3, 72076 Tubingen, Germany c Institute for Pathology and Neuropathology, Department of Molecular Pathology, Eberhard Karls Universitat Tubingen, Liebermeisterstrase 8, 72076 Tubingen, Germany d Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Tubingen University Hospital, Tubingen, Germany

Do We Need Basic Research in Cardiac Surgery

Thinking about the daily practice of cardiac surgery, genetically altered mouse models, polymerase chain reactions, western blots, and other laboratory tools are the last that comes to mind. It is, therefore, not surprising that the pursuit of such basic science activities by practicing surgeons and those in training is often limited. However, there is an innate connection between these two seemingly different disciplines. To address and visualize this connection, we propose the following three hypotheses. First, cardiac surgery would not be at its present level of expertise without fundamental contributions of basic science. Second, without practicing cardiac surgeons performing basic research and translating their results to clinical practice next to their daily work, our ability to care for cardiac surgery patients would be poorer. Third, basic science training for those aiming to become practicing cardiac surgeons improves their ability to properly care for their patients. Finally, we will discuss some potentially even unexpected implications for our currently changing daily clinical practice.

Percutaneous Mitral Valve Edge-to-Edge Repair Assisted by Hemodynamic Support Devices: A Case Series of Bailout Procedures

Percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (PMVR) using the MitraClip system (Abbott Vascular) is an effective treatment option beyond medical therapy for patients with mitral regurgitation, who are not eligible for cardiac surgery.1 Previously, it was reported that patients with severely impaired left ventricular ejection function (<20%) may have similar benefits from the procedure as patients included in the EVEREST trial (Endovascular Valve Edge-to-Edge Repair Study).2 Hemodynamic support devices can be an option in critically ill patients, such as patients in cardiogenic shock, although their use is a matter of debate.3 Up to now, there is to the best of our knowledge …

Successful Surgical Treatment of an Electrical Storm in a Patient With Atypical Noncompaction Cardiomyopathy

A 34-year-old male patient with known atypical, predominantly right ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy1 was admitted to our department because of repeated ventricular tachycardias and implantable cardioverter defibrillator shocks (Figure A). An extracorporal life support system was implanted because of hemodynamic instability, and an electrophysiological study was performed. Epicardial access was achived by subxiphoid puncture. Endo- and epicardial electroanatomical voltage mapping (Ensite NavX, St Jude) revealed earliest activation in the …