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Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of pregnancy-related mortality, and it has gradually increased over time; this rise has been attributed to numerous reasons including the growing number of women with congenital heart disease who are surviving to childbearing age. Valve surgery during pregnancy is a high risk, with a fetal and maternal mortality rate of 35% and 9%, respectively. Prior knowledge about the cardiovascular disease opens up a host of options for the mother even during pregnancy, but presentation in the 3rd trimester puts both the mother and the baby at risk. Simultaneous caesarean section and maternal cardiac surgery is a suitable option for this subset of patients, and with this study we aim to assess its outcomes and feasibility. Methods: This is a retrospective study of five pregnant patients who presented with predominant symptoms of heart failure in the 3rd trimester between June 2019 and June 2021. Intraoperative and postoperative intensive care unit charts of all the patients were reviewed. Results: All five patients underwent simultaneous cesarean section and maternal cardiac surgery successfully with no fetal or maternal mortality and are doing well in the follow-up period. Conclusion: Cesarean section followed by definitive maternal cardiac surgery in the same sitting is a safe and feasible approach in the management of such patients. A well-prepared team is pivotal for a safe delivery with a cardiopulmonary bypass machine on standby. Specialized multidisciplinary care in the antepartum, peripartum, and postpartum period is essential to improve outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temporary epicardial pacing wires are used routinely in the postoperative period to prevent brady-arrhythmias and maintain hemodynamic condition. Their safety and efficacy have been widely accepted with a low incidence of complications. Complications associated with temporary epicardial pacing wires may occur during removal or may be related to retained wires. Migration is one of the well-established but rare complications of retained epicardial pacing wire. Though migrations to various organs have been well documented in the literature, there are only few reports on intra-aortic migration of pacing wires in the postoperative period. Further, it is important for radiologists to know and identify these epicardial pacing wires as they may be associated with complications like superadded infection, migration to surrounding or distant areas, and injury to the heart and vessels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is a rare congenital malformation, the symptoms of which may remain subtle in childhood and appear at a later age. It can manifest only with symptoms of upper body hypertension. Various methods have been described for managing coarctation of the aorta in adults, including surgical or percutaneous balloon angioplasty with or without stent placement and medical therapy. Surgical approaches include an extra-anatomical bypass through a left lateral thoracotomy, a median sternotomy, or a combined median sternotomy and a laparotomy incision; all have their merit in overcoming the symptoms. We went ahead with an extra-anatomical tube graft between the ascending aorta and the descending thoracic aorta in a 24-year-old patient who presented to us with a diagnosis of coarctation of the aorta., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Sharma et al.)