Welcome, dear readers, to the first issue of CARDIOVASC magazine in the new year.
We start with an overview by Prof. Hans Rickli of the recommendations and analyses presented at the last European Congress of Cardiology (ESC) in Amsterdam on the current development regarding lifestyle in the European population. Just the idea that the population of Europe and North America has a 30-40% chance of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus once in their lifetime should be a wake-up call. Prevention is urgently needed here.
When prevention is no longer an option, cardiac surgeons may be called upon. Dr. David Reineke summarizes the data regarding myocardial revascularization with or without heart-lung machine (so-called “off-pump” procedures). During more than 15 years, a lot has been written about both procedures. Today, experts agree that there is no scientific basis to show that the method without a heart-lung machine is better than the conventional surgical technique with a machine. The discussion has at least had the advantage that many teams have increasingly embraced the miniaturized version of a heart-lung machine (so-called mini-ECC or MECC). This has eliminated many of the disadvantages of the heart-lung machine, so that elective bypass surgery can now be offered in an experienced institution with a mortality risk of just under 0.5% and a stroke risk of less than 1.5%. These are results that rival percutaneous revascularization.
Dr. Ernst Groechenig gives a status report on the problem of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (pAVK), which has become pandemic in the meantime. Here, too, prevention, whether primary or secondary, is urgently indicated. In practice, pAVD can be diagnosed easily, quickly and inexpensively using the ABI (ankle-brachial index). Early diagnosis is important so that the preventive and therapeutic approach can be initiated quickly.
The Swiss Heart Foundation’s website www.swissheart-coach.ch helps health-conscious individuals and patients prevent and manage cardiovascular risk factors and diseases. Prof. Andreas Hoffmann, Chairman of the Patients Commission of the Swiss Heart Foundation, introduces us to this new platform, which is extremely important for everyday clinical practice.
Enjoy the reading!
Prof. Dr. med. Thierry Carrel, Bern
Prof. Dr. med. Paul Mohacsi, Bern
CARDIOVASC 2014; 13(1): 1
