This study was a meta-analysis of 18 cohort studies aimed at determining the lifetime risks of  cardiovascular disease. Risk factors for more than 250,000 men and women were evaluated at ages 45, 55, 65, and 75, and the lifetime risk of cardiovascular events was calculated at each age. Those with optimal risk profile (based on cholesterol, blood pressure, smoking status, and diabetes) had a substantially lower risk of  death from cardiovascular disease, MI, and stroke than did those with 2 or more risk factors. These trends were similar among gender and race cohorts. 

Spontaneous coronary dissection is an unusual cause of acute coronary syndrome and sudden death, with a predilection for otherwise healthy young women. Presentation during the peri-partum period accounts for a quarter of the cases. Described are 2 cases of spontaneous coronary dissection with some atypical features. Both patients differed in their demographics, clinical presentations, and management strategies. Posited pathogenetic mechanisms for spontaneous coronary dissection are varied and remain poorly understood.

A recent post hoc analysis of a large randomized trial in patients with cerebrovascular disease suggested that statins may increase the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Overall, 213 episodes of ICH occurred. In the primary analysis comparing statin users with nonusers, no association was found between statins and ICH (hazard ratio = 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.65-1.17). Subgroup and dose-response analyses yielded similar results.

Between March 1992 and February 2010, 336 consecutive patients had a Ross procedure (mean follow-up, 6.2 ± 4.9 years). Autograft implant technique was freestanding root replacement in 269 patients, subcoronary implantation in 52 patients and a modified root replacement with the autograft included in a Valsalva tube graft in 15. Autograft dilatation was the leading cause of reoperation in patients who underwent root replacement. Long-term follow-up is mandatory to determine whether modifications of the operative technique could limit autograft dilatation.

The Surgical Treatment of Ischemic Cardiomyopathy trial entry criteria was prospectively applied to an observational database to determine whether coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) decreases mortality compared with medical therapy (MED) for patients with coronary artery disease and depressed left ventricular ejection fraction.

Advances in ECMO technology, particularly VV ECMO, have greatly improved the ability to support patients with severe PGD after lung transplantation. VV ECMO is an important tool in the armamentarium of any lung transplant program to optimize patient outcomes; however, strategies to improve lung allograft function in patients experiencing severe PGD are still needed.

Patients referred for coronary revascularization procedures are older and are likely to have more extensive extracardiac vascular disease than those referred for such procedures in the past. Despite these trends, mortality rates for coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG), without concurrent procedures, have continued to decline.1 Nevertheless, adverse neurologic outcomes, including stroke and cognitive decline, remain a major concern for these older patients.

The article documents how reviewers should approach this important role for EJCTS and ICVTS. It will not only be of interest to reviewers, but to people who hope to have a publication accepted by the EJCTS and ICVTS as it will set out the standards that we expect from a high-quality submission. It also highlights some of the weaknesses of peer review and some of the research that has gone on in this area.

Covidien has announced it is recalling all lots of their Duet Stapler cartridges for use in thoracic surgery.  The cartridges, which contain materials that reinforce the staple lines they create, are commonly used in gastrointestinal surgery and are sometimes used in pulmonary surgery.  The company stated that 13 serious injures and 3 deaths are potentially attributable to use of these cartridges in pulmonary surgery, possibly owing to erosion of the reinforced staple lines into vascular structures.  Use of these cartridges in abdominal surgical procedures is not affected b