The Annals of thoracic surgery
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Indicators of atrial fibrillation risk in cardiac surgery patients on prophylactic amiodarone.
Atrial fibrillation is a common complication of cardiothoracic surgery (coronary artery bypass graft surgery or cardiac valve repair or replacement). Although predictors of postoperative atrial fibrillation have been explored in patients not receiving prophylactic antiarrhythmic therapy, independent predictors of postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients receiving prophylactic amiodarone have not been elucidated. ⋯ This subanalysis demonstrates some novel predictors of postoperative atrial fibrillation, including diabetes mellitus and postoperative nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug use. We have also demonstrated that predictors of atrial fibrillation differ when prophylactic amiodarone is used.
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Left ventricular (LV) rupture is an infrequent but potentially lethal complication of mitral valve replacement and repair. We report the case of an 82-year-old man who underwent mitral valve replacement and the repair of an atrial septal defect. Both valve leaflets were excised and the annulus was extensively decalcified, followed by the implantation of a bioprosthetic valve. ⋯ CPB was resumed and the bioprosthetic valve was removed. The patient then underwent a unique repair using a pericardial patch, Teflon felt (Meadox Medical Inc, Oakland, NJ), and BioGlue (CryoLife Inc, Kennesaw, GA). A second valve was implanted with a successful outcome.
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The Cox maze procedure yields good results for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, patients with predictors of failure-chronic long-standing AF, low amplitude fibrillatory waves, and large left atriums-are generally thought not to benefit from a maze procedure. We report an aggressive approach for these patients, utilizing biatrial reduction plasty concomitantly with the Cox maze procedure for AF. ⋯ Aggressive biatrial reduction plasty Cox maze procedure was effective in 89% of these "low success" AF patients. This simple procedure can extend utilization of the Cox maze procedure to more patients with chronic AF.
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Pacing activity, patient and lead survival over 20 years of permanent epicardial pacing in children.
We report on pediatric epicardial pacing activity, patient and lead survival for more than two decades in a single center. ⋯ The epicardial approach has offered an effective solution to pacing problems in the pediatric age range. Lead survival has improved with more than 75% of modern steroid eluting leads surviving to 5 years.
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An increasing number of patients with peripheral vascular disease are undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Such patients have an increased risk of adverse outcomes. Our aim was to quantify the effect of avoiding cardiopulmonary bypass in this group of patients. ⋯ Off-pump coronary surgery is safe in patients with peripheral vascular disease, with acceptable results. The incidence of postoperative stroke is substantially reduced when avoiding cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with peripheral vascular disease.