Abstract
In the May/June 2019 issue of Innovations we start to feature a new section called “Focused Topic Series”. In this new section we are going to feature a topic of interest that is either in the consensus or a source of debate. The idea for this section came about following a discussion with our editors and readers. They indicated to us that they would like to have a section with a more guided and in-depth discussion about important topics for our subspecialty. Our aim is that through this featured section we will be able to highlight current practices, benchmarks, knowledge gaps, and analysis surrounding the topic. I am very excited about this new section and in the months to come we are going to have different topics in cardiothoracic and vascular surgery featured. We hope that through this new section we will be able to shed more light and evidence on innovations, new procedures, and established ones. We will try to identify and guide the discussion into existing gaps in the evidence and necessary research to improve evidence-based medicine.
We chose to start with aortic valve repair for aortic valve insufficiency. Aortic valve repair has generated a lot of discussion and debate over the past few years, especially in light of the excellent choices for valve replacement and the avenue of transcatheter aortic valve replacement for valve-in-valve when such prosthesis fails. However, the prospect of preserving a good functioning valve may lead to the best outcomes if done appropriately, choosing the right patients and operative technique.
In this issue’s Focused Topic Series, Dr Hans-Joachim Schäfers from Saarland University Medical Center in Homburg/Saar, Germany, wrote an outstanding Expert Opinion article “The 10 commandments for aortic valve repair”. Dr Schäfers is one of the world’s leaders in aortic valve repair and is known for the hundreds of patients that he has operated on and for his outstanding publications in the field. In his article he shares with us the most important features that can lead to a successful and long-lasting repair, including patient selection, perioperative testing, and technique. Dr Yanagawa and Mr Mazine from the University of Toronto, and Dr El-Hamamsy from the University of Montreal, contributed an updated literature review to highlight the predictors for aortic valve repair failure. This review is comprehensive and very detailed and provides excellent information regarding the clinical outcome of aortic valve repair.
Dr Ram and the group from Tel Aviv University presented their own clinical experience with a focus on clinical and echocardiographic outcomes following aortic valve repair in a very experienced center.
On behalf of our editorial team, I hope that you will find this new Focused Topic Series useful in improving your knowledge and practice.