OBJECTIVES Our goal was to define characteristic patterns of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose in non-infected patients with ascending aortic prosthetic grafts during the first year after surgery. METHODS 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) was performed at 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively in 26 uninfected patients. Clinical, analytical and microbiological (blood culture) assessments were performed to confirm the absence of infection. FDG uptake intensity [measured through maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) and the target-to-background ratio] and distribution patterns were obtained. Models of generalized estimating equations were used to assess the evolution of the SUVmax over time. The results were compared to those in our endocarditis-over-ascending-aortic-graft series database. The receiver operating characteristic curves of the control group and the 12-month group were assessed. RESULTS All patients showed increased uptake in all areas. The uptake pattern was heterogeneous in 47.4%, 43.5% and 42.3% at 3, 6 and 12 months. The means and standard deviations of the SUVmax in the graft were 4.80 (±0.99), 4.28 (±0.88) and 4.14 (±0.87) at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. A comparison of all values obtained in the 6th and 12th months compared to those from the 3rd month revealed a slow decrease that may persist after the first year. The cut-off value of SUVmax of 4.24 had an overall sensitivity of 84.6% and specificity of 57.7% for patients seen at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS Non-infected ascending aortic grafts showed no predominant uptake pattern; they also showed increased 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose activity that could persist beyond the first year. Caution is therefore recommended when interpreting PET/CT images obtained during the first year after surgery.

OBJECTIVES The goal of this study was to analyse early- and long-term outcomes of aortic valve reimplantation (David operation) in patients with heritable thoracic aortic disease. METHODS This is a retrospective observational analysis using data from a prospectively maintained surgical database from March 2004 to April 2021. Patients with heritable thoracic aortic disease were included in the study. RESULTS A total of 157 patients with aortic root aneurysm with the diagnosis of heritable thoracic aortic disease received the David procedure. Marfan syndrome was found in 143 (91.1%) patients, Loeys-Dietz in 13 and Ehler-Danlos in 1 patient. The median age was 35.0 (IQR: 17.5) years and the median ascending aorta diameter in the Valsalva sinuses was 48 mm (IQR: 4). A Valsalva graft was used in 8 patients; the David V technique was performed in the rest of the cases. The median follow-up time was 7.3 years [standard deviation: 0.58, 95% confidence interval (CI): 6.12–8.05]. Only 2 patients died during the follow-up period. The overall survival was 99% (95% CI: 95%; 99%); 98% (95% CI: 92%; 99%); and 98% (95% CI: 92%; 99%) at 5, 10 and 15 years. Freedom from significant aortic regurgitation (AR> II), reintervention and postoperative type-B dissection was 90% (95% CI: 77%; 95%), 96% (95% CI: 91%; 99%) and 87% (95% CI: 68%; 95%) at 15 years, respectively. No differences were found in any outcome between Marfan syndrome and Loeys-Dietz syndrome. No statistically significant differences in survival were found when we compared expected gender- and age-specific population survival values. CONCLUSIONS The David operation is an excellent option for the treatment of patients with heritable thoracic aortic disease and dilatated aortic root. Surgical expertise in referral centres is essential to achieve the best long-term results.

Introducción: la apnea obstructiva del sueño (AOS) es el trastorno respiratorio del sueño más frecuente. La terapia de elección es la presión positiva continua de la vía aérea (CPAP), pero se ha descrito mala adherencia en su uso. La estimulación del nervio hipogloso (ENH) se encuentra entre las nuevas modalidades de tratamiento en estudio.Objetivo: revisar la fisiopatología de este trastorno, así como la efectividad y seguridad de la ENH como terapia de la AOS.Metodología: se realizó una búsqueda en la base de datos de Medline utilizando las palabras clave: Sleep Apnea, Syndrome; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive; Hypoglossal Nerve; Electrodes, Implanted; Implantable Neurostimulators, y Electric Stimulation Therapy.Resultados: se encontraron 267 artículos, de los cuales se seleccionaron 27 según los criterios de inclusión y exclusión. Adicionalmente, se hizo una búsqueda secundaria de estos artículos. La ENH ha mostrado un perfil de efectividad y seguridad favorable con alta adherencia como tratamiento de la AOS. Sin embargo, no se recomienda en pacientes con un índice apnea-hipopnea > 50, ya que produce una reducción parcial, inferior que la que puede producir el CPAP.Conclusiones: la ENH ayuda a corregir, parcialmente, uno de los mecanismos fisiopatológicos de la AOS. Si bien en la revisión se encontraron datos que sugieren efectividad y seguridad aceptables en corto plazo, se necesitan más estudios sobre efectividad y seguridad a largo plazo, sobre comparación directa con CPAP en algunos casos y sobre uso bilateral de esta nueva modalidad terapéutica.