No abstract

Stroke is the second leading cause of death globally. Despite the decreasing trend in stroke mortality, its incidence and prevalence follow an upwards trajectory that is envisaged to continue for years to come. Previous literature has suggested a role for infectious disease in stroke aetiology; however, the pathophysiological basis for this has never fully been understood. Emerging infections, such as coronavirus disease (COVID-19), present new challenges that must be addressed, to prevent them from contributing to the predicted rise in stroke incidence. Almost one in 20 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 experience a stroke thereafter, hence achieving better understanding of the interactions between these disease entities is of major clinical significance.

Objectives: Mitral valve disease is increasingly prevalent. Timely diagnosis and the choice of the right intervention are very important in the early stages, as valvular dysfunction often leads to cardiac failure and even sudden death. The focus of this paper is on the various pathologies of the mitral valve, their etiology, and clinical management. Methods: Mitral regurgitation (MR) can be managed surgically, percutaneously or medically. Treatment methods for primary MR include percutaneous mitral valve (MV) repair, MV replacement, minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS), and more recently, robotics. Additionally, conventional sternotomy has been used for both MR and mitral stenosis. Nonetheless, ongoing clinical trials are a clear indicator that the management of valve diseases is continuously evolving. Results: Multiple studies favour MV repair via MIMVS, over conventional sternotomy or percutaneous approach. However, more data is needed to optimize patient selection. Robot assisted repair is a new alternative, but attention should be given to the steep learning curve and medical training of professionals wishing to perform this intervention. Cost effectiveness and possible side effects should be explored by clinical trials as well. While guidelines are fairly straightforward for primary MR, there is insufficient evidence to suggest that surgical treatment is advantageous for secondary MR. Management is usually pharmaceutical and aims to treat symptoms rather than cause. Conclusion: Mitral valve disease remains a medical challenge, but numerous research and clinical trials have been embarked upon to refine old methods and discover new ones to improve treatment success and procedural safety.

Heart failure is considered one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Over the years, etiological risk factors, diagnostic criteria, and classifications have been revised to create guide management needed to alleviate the global health burden caused by heart failure. Pharmacological treatments have progressed over time but are insufficient in reducing mortality. This leads to many patients developing advanced heart failure who will require surgical intervention often in the form of the gold standard, a heart transplant. However, the number of patients requiring a transplant far exceeds the number of donors. Other surgical inventions have been utilized, yet the rate of patients being diagnosed with heart failure is still increasing. Future developments in the surgical field of heart failure include the 77SyncCardia and atrial shunting but long‐term clinical trials involving larger cohorts of patients have not yet taken place to view how effective these approaches can be.