The Annals of thoracic surgery
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Anomalous left coronary artery from pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is associated with high mortality if left uncorrected. We describe long-term outcomes after surgical repair and ventricular function changes on long-term follow-up. ⋯ Excellent outcomes are achieved with repair of ALCAPA without mechanical circulatory support and with low reintervention rates. Normal ejection fraction and shortening fraction do not accurately convey myocardial dysfunction in these patients.
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Williams syndrome is an uncommon genetic disorder associated with supravalvular aortic stenosis (SVAS) in childhood. We reviewed outcomes of children with Williams syndrome who underwent repair of SVAS during a 30-year period at a single institution. ⋯ Surgical repair of SVAS in children Williams syndrome has excellent early results. However, significant late mortality and morbidity warrants close follow-up.
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Comparative Study
Postoperative blood urea nitrogen is associated with stroke in cardiac surgical patients.
This case-control study identified perioperative risk factors associated with postoperative stroke risk after all cardiac surgical procedures. ⋯ In these analyses, we identified BUN as a marker of heightened postoperative stroke risk after cardiac surgical procedures. Postoperative risk markers may improve assessment of delayed postoperative strokes.
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Platelet dysfunction resulting from abnormal fluid shear stress has been reported in adults with aortic stenosis. Blood flowing through a congenital heart defect at greater than normal velocity is subjected to increased shear stress. The primary aim was to determine whether peak flow velocity through congenital cardiac lesions predicts preoperative platelet dysfunction. ⋯ Platelet dysfunction is associated with high blood flow velocity through congenital cardiac lesions. Lower preoperative hematocrit was associated with prolonged CT, which may suggest subclinical bleeding secondary to platelet dysfunction.
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Although periprocedural myocardial infarction frequently occurs with the robustness of percutaneous coronary intervention, the prognosis of the periprocedural myocardial infarction has been known to be relatively good compared with that of spontaneous myocardial infarction. We present a patient with a postinfarction ventricular septal defect, with cardiogenic shock, that developed 7 days after a percutaneous coronary intervention. Emergency surgical repair combined with coronary artery bypass grafting saved the patient, without complications.