CAF and FORECAST are additional tools to evaluate elderly patients adequately before elective cardiac surgery, and showed an association with short- and mid-term mortality independently of age.

The aim of the study was to create an anatomical correct 3D rapid prototyping model (RPT) for patients with complex heart disease and altered geometry of the atria or ventricles to facilitate planning and execution of the surgical procedure. Based on computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images, regions of interest were segmented using the Mimics 9.0 software (Materialise, Leuven, Belgium). The segmented regions were the target volume and structures at risk. After generating an STL-file (StereoLithography file) out of the patient's data set, the 3D printer Ztrade mark 510 (4D Concepts, Gross-Gerau, Germany) created a 3D plaster model. The patient individual 3D printed RPT-models were used to plan the resection of a left ventricular aneurysm and right ventricular tumor. The surgeon was able to identify risk structures, assess the ideal resection lines and determine the residual shape after a reconstructive procedure (LV remodelling, infiltrating tumor resection). Using a 3D-print of the LV-aneurysm, reshaping of the left ventricle ensuring sufficient LV volume was easily accomplished. The use of the 3D rapid prototyping model (RPT-model) during resection of ventricular aneurysm and malignant cardiac tumors may facilitate the surgical procedure due to better planning and improved orientation.

No abstract

The novel ARF-like GTPase ARL7 is a close relative of ARL4 and ARL6 (71% and 59% identical amino acids). A striking characteristic of these GTPases is their basic C-terminus which, when fused to the C-terminus of green fluorescent protein (GFP), targets the constructs to the nucleus of transfected COS-7 cells. Full length ARL4 was detected in both nuclear and extranuclear compartments, whereas a construct of ARL4 lacking its C-terminus was excluded from the nucleus. Nucleotide exchange rates of recombinant ARL4, ARL6 and ARL7 were similar and appeared considerably higher than those of other members of the ARF family (ARF1, ARP). It is concluded that ARL4, ARL6 and ARL7 form a subgroup within the ARF family with similar, possibly nuclear, function.z 1999 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.

In isolated proximal LAD disease, SES is noninferior to MIDCAB surgery at 12-month follow-up with respect to MACE at a similar relief in clinical symptoms.