Objective As thoracic aortic disease (TAD) is generally asymptomatic, biomarkers are needed to provide insight into early progression. We aimed to examine the association between circulating blood biomarkers and the maximal thoracic aortic diameter (TADmax). Methods In this cross-sectional study, consecutive adult patients with a thoracic aortic diameter ≥40 mm and/or genetically proven…

Introduction Extensive cross-sectional evidence has demonstrated an association between psychological distress (PD) and hypertension. However, evidence on the temporal relationship is limited, especially in low-income and middle-income countries. The role of health risk behaviours including smoking and alcohol consumption in this relationship is also largely unknown. The aim of this study was to…

Introduction Anxiety and pain associated with cardiac procedures can lead to worse outcomes and poor satisfaction. Virtual reality (VR) can offer an innovative approach to a more informative experience that may enhance procedural understanding and reduce anxiety. It may also provide a more enjoyable experience by controlling procedure-related pain and improving satisfaction. Previous studies have…

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) following coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is common and results in significant increases in hospital stay and financial encumbrance. Objective Determine and use the predictors of postoperative AF (POAF) following CABG to develop a new predictive screening tool. Method A retrospective case–control study evaluated 388 patients (98 developed POAF and…

Background Correction of mitral regurgitation (MR) at the time of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation remains controversial. There is conflicting evidence regarding the clinical impact of residual MR, and studies have not examined whether MR aetiology or right heart function impacts the likelihood of residual MR. Methods This is a retrospective single-centre study of 155…