Background: Type B aortic dissection (TBAD), is defined as a dissection involving the aorta distal to left subclavian artery with the ascending aorta and the aortic arch not affected. TBAD is classified due to the time frame and presence of complications. Complicated TBAD (co-TBAD) patients have a greater mortality rate than uncomplicated TBAD (un-TBAD) and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is considered the gold-standard intervention for these clinical challenges.Methods: We undertook a systematic review of the literature regarding TEVAR intervention in co-TBAD and un-TBAD. A comprehensive search was undertaken across four major databases and was evaluated and assessed until June 2020.Results: A total of 16,104 patients were included in the study (7772 patients co-TBAD and 8352 un-TBAD). A significantly higher proportion of comorbidities were seen in co-TBAD patients compared with un-TBAD. Acute dissection was more frequent in the co-TBAD group (73.55% vs. 66.91%), while chronic dissection was more common in un-TBAD patients (33.8% vs. 70.73%). Postprocedure stroke was higher in co-TBAD (5.85% vs. 3.92%; p < .01), while postprocedural renal failure was higher in un-TBAD patients (7.23 vs. 11.38%; p < .01). No difference was observed in in-hospital mortality however the 30 days mortality was higher in the co-TBAD group. One-year survival was higher in the uncomplicated group but this difference was not observed in the 5-year survival. Conclusion:In our analysis we can appreciate that despite significantly higher comorbidities in the co-TBAD cohort, there was no difference in in-hospital mortality between the two groups and the 5-year survival did not have any difference.

Measuring the incidence ot acute mnocardial intfarction: the problem of possible acute msocardial infarction.

Bicuspid aortic valves (BAVs) are the most common congenital cardiac condition and are characterized by a structural abnormality whereby the aortic valve is composed of two leaflets instead of being trileaflet. It is linked to an increased risk for a variety of complications of the aorta, many with an immunological pathogenesis. The aim of this study is to review and analyze the literature regarding immunological processes involving BAVs, associated common pathologies, and their incidence in the population. This study will also examine current trends in surgical and therapeutic approaches to treatment and discuss the future direction of BAV treatment. K E Y W O R D S aorta, bicuspid aortic valve, immunology, immunopathology J Card Surg. 2019;34:482-494. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/jocs

Brentuximab vedotin, an antibody drug conjugate that delivers monomethyl auristatin E into CD-30 expressing cells is FDA approved for the treatment of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma after the failure of autologous stem cell transplantation or at least 2 prior multi-agent chemotherapy regiments. This approval was based on a study that showed an overall response rate of 75% and complete remission in 34%. We present a case of a 24-year-old male with classical nodular sclerosing Hodgkin lymphoma who achieved near complete remission following 5 cycles of brentuximab concurrent with ISRT (involved site radiation therapy) following progression of first-line ABVD (Adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine) and subsequent second-line ICE (ifosfamide, carboplatin, etoposide) chemotherapy. This case not only reiterates the efficacy of brentuximab vedotin in the third-line setting but introduces the role of and need for further clinical trials of combined radiotherapy with brentuximab in Hodgkin lymphoma patients following failure of second-line options.