Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Oct 2009
Experience and intermediate-term results using the Contegra heterograft for right ventricular outflow reconstruction in adults.
The Contegra bioprosthesis (valved heterologous bovine jugular vein) is used for reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) in congenital heart malformations and pulmonary valve replacement in different settings. Compared to pulmonary homografts, the Contegra conduit is readily available 'on the shelf'. So far, its use was mainly described in children. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and the outcome of Contegra graft implantation in the adult. ⋯ In this small review of 32 operations using the Contegra graft for RVOT reconstruction in adult cardiac surgery for different indications, we observed good postoperative mid-term results concerning conduit function. Mean transpulmonary pressure gradients remain low (13.3+/-6.6 mmHg postoperative, 14.5+/-7.9 mmHg at follow-up). The use of the Contegra graft seems to be a good alternative to the homograft with low operative mortality and morbidity. Long-term outcome data are not available and further investigations must be performed to evaluate results.
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Oct 2009
ReviewIs reduction aortoplasty (with or without external wrap) an acceptable alternative to replacement of the dilated ascending aorta?
A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether reduction aortoplasty is an acceptable alternative to ascending aorta replacement. From 925 potential papers, 13 papers represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. ⋯ In particular, an aortoplasty in elderly patients with post-stenotic dilatation, or in patients with significant co-morbidities is attractive. It should be acknowledged that only one study directly compares the technique with conventional replacement and that replacement remains the 'gold standard' technique. It should also be acknowledged that the external wrap is not without risk and wrap dislocation, erosion or fistula formation are recognised complications.
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Oct 2009
Comparative StudyAortic valve replacement with minimal extracorporeal circulation versus standard cardiopulmonary bypass.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and the clinical outcomes of aortic valve replacement (AVR) performed with minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation (miniECC) technique vs. standard cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). From February 2006 to December 2007 a total of 181 isolated AVR were performed, of these 53 patients were operated using minimal extracorporeal circulation system and 128 patients were operated using the standard CPB. Demographic characteristics and operative data were similar in both groups except for EuroSCORE (P<0.0001). ⋯ The number of transfused blood bank products was higher in patients with a body surface area >1.7 m(2) and who underwent traditional CPB in respect to miniECC system. Postoperatively renal injury, atrial fibrillation episodes, neurologic event rate, ICU and hospital stay length were similar in both groups. The miniECC is suitable for AVR providing good clinical results but the present results should not identify the miniECC system to be superior to the conventional CPB.