The year of 2013 has continued to expand our understanding of the treatment of cardiac surgical patients. The noteworthy articles chosen for this review address new opinions on common surgical issues such as the appropriateness of coronary bypass compared with percutaneous intervention as well as more novel approaches to repair of insufficient aortic valves. The review continues by discussing the implications of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services National Coverage Decisions for both transcatheter aortic valve replacement and ventricular assist device in addition to notable articles on each.
SvenssonLGBlackstoneEHAlsalihiM. Midterm results of David reimplantation in patients with connective tissue disorder. Ann Thorac Surg. 2013;95:555-562.
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de KerchoveLEl KhouryG. Anatomy and pathophysiology of the ventriculo-aortic junction: implication in aortic valve repair surgery. Ann Cardiothorac Surg. 2013;2:57-64.
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SaczkowskiRMalasTde KerchoveLEl KhouryGBoodhwaniM. Systematic review of aortic valve preservation and repair. Ann Cardiothorac Surg. 2013;2:3-9.
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MohrFWMoriceMCKappeteinAP. Coronary artery bypass graft surgery versus percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with three-vessel disease and left main coronary disease: 5-year follow-up of the randomised, clinical SYNTAX trial. Lancet. 2013;381:629-638.
