The main findings from this meta-analysis indicate that total aortic arch replacement can be performed with satisfactory mortality and morbidity. The pooled rates of mortality and permanent neurologic deficit among elective cases were surprisingly low, and these data have an even greater prominence when they are compared with outcomes of hybrid arch series. Under urgent/emergency surgery, early mortality and neurologic complications showed an about threefold higher rate. Moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest and early rewarming seem to provide proper renal protection, with an intermediate risk of prolonged intubation.

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TAVI with a balloon-expandable device in the 'real world' shows good mid-term outcomes in terms of survival, technical success, valve-related adverse events and haemodynamic performance.

Conversion to surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) has been described as a complication following transcatheter aortic valve implantation. This complication occurs in up to 8% of cases and, to the best of our knowledge, preoperative data and surgical outcomes of such patients have not been properly evaluated. Mild paraprosthetic regurgitation is commonly observed after transcatheter aortic valve implantation and usually leads to a benign clinical course. Unequal distribution of valve calcifications is described as a potential mechanism. We report a case of a perioperative paraprosthetic regurgitation that underwent successful urgent surgical AVR and review the incidence and results of paraprosthetic leaks following transcatheter implantation.

Pericardial effusion represents a common postoperative complication in cardiac surgery. Nonetheless, it can be resistant to conventional therapy leading to prolonged in-hospital stay and worsening of clinical conditions.Recent literature shows that colchicine therapy should be useful in the treatment of recurrent post surgical pericardial effusion.Hereby we report the case of a patient with postsurgical recurrent effusion treated with colchicine, and a review of literature concerning the use of this old drug.