Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · May 2011
Stenting of the descending thoracic aorta: a six-year single-center experience.
The aim of this study was to review the six-year results of the endovascular repair of descending thoracic aortic pathologies, reporting the early perioperative outcomes as well as the mid-term follow-up of the treated patients. ⋯ The endovascular repair of descending thoracic aortic pathologies seems to be a well-established method, with favorable morbidity and mortality rates, at least for 30 days and in the mid-term. Taking into account the potential of a wide application of the endovascular technique in many vascular centers, stenting of the thoracic aorta might offer an overall better solution for patients suffering from these devastating pathologies.
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · May 2011
Case ReportsRelapse of giant cell myocarditis supported with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
Giant cell myocarditis (GCM) is a fatal form of myocarditis that often presents with acute heart failure. An inflammatory infiltrate with giant cells and myocardial necrosis is characteristic. ⋯ We report a case of GCM relapse which was supported with veno-arterial membrane oxygenation until recovery. The patient is doing well one year after explantation.
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · May 2011
Case ReportsThree-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography: diagnosing intraoperative pulmonary artery thrombus.
A 61-year-old patient with the diagnosis of acute heart failure based on severe mitral valve insufficiency due to chordae rupture was scheduled for surgery. Intraoperatively, a standard two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiogram (2D-TEE) examination, revealed severe mitral valve regurgitation due to a prolaps with chordal rupture and an echo dense structure in the pulmonary artery (PA). ⋯ On the basis of the clear demonstration on 3D-TEE of an at least 6-cm thrombus in the PA we decided to remove the thrombus prior to proceeding with the mitral valve repair. We conclude that 3D-TEE can alter surgical management and provide more valuable information on PA thrombus than that obtained by 2D-TEE.
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · May 2011
Blood flow measurements within optic nerve head during on-pump cardiovascular operations. A window to the brain?
This observational study is conducted to demonstrate optic nerve head (ONH) blood flow alterations during extracorporeal circulation (ECC) in routine on-pump cardiovascular operations in order to evaluate the perfusion status of important autoregulatory tissue vascular beds during moderate hypothermia. Twenty-one patients free from eye disease were prospectively enrolled in our database. Perioperative ONH blood flow measurements were performed using a hand-held portable ocular laser Doppler flowmeter just after administration of general anesthesia and during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) upon the lowest temperature point of moderate hypothermia. ⋯ This angiokinetic approach can detect changes of flow within autoregulatory vascular tissue beds like ONH, thus creating a 'window' on cerebral microvasculature. ONH blood flow is reduced during CPB. Our data suggest that it is of paramount importance to avoid extracorporeal prolongation even in moderate hypothermic cardiovascular operations.