Comprehensive clinical and imaging-based surveillance represents a fundamental aspect in the management of thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs), affording the opportunity to identify intermediate-sized TAAs before the onset of worrying symptoms or devastating acute aortic dissection/rupture. Currently, size-based indices are favoured as the major determinants driving patient selection for surgery, as supported by aortic guidelines, although it is recognised that smaller sub-threshold TAAs may still confer substantial risks. Prophylactic aortic surgery can be offered within set timeframes at dedicated aortic centres with excellent outcomes, to mitigate the threat of acute aortic complications associated with repeatedly deferred intervention. In this commentary, we discuss a recent article from the Journal of Cardiac Surgery which highlights important socio-economic disparities in TAA surveillance and follow-up.

Patients with a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) are at increased risk of valvular regurgitation compared to their counterparts with a tri-leaflet aortic valve. There is now increasing emphasis to offer BAV repair to mitigate the risks of prosthesis-related complications, including thromboembolism, haemorrhage and endocarditis, as well as structural valve deterioration and future re-operation with conventional valve replacement, particularly in younger populations. Furthermore, over the preceding two decades, our greater understanding of the functional anatomy of the BAV, pathophysiological mechanisms of BAV insufficiency and the development of a functional classification of aortic regurgitation have significantly contributed to the evolution of aortic valve reconstructive surgery. In this commentary, we discuss a recent article from the Journal of Cardiac Surgery comparing external annuloplasty and subcommissural annuloplasty as techniques for BAV repair.

The current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is associated with severe pulmonary and cardiovascular complications. This report describes a young patient with COVID-19 without any comorbidity presenting with severe cardiovascular complications, manifesting with pulmonary embolism, embolic stroke, and right heart failure. Management with short-term mechanical circulatory support, including different cannulation strategies, resulted in a successful outcome despite his critical cardiovascular status.