European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Mar 1997
Case ReportsUnexpected complication of intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation via the ascending aorta: balloon migration.
A case of intraaortic balloon pump catheter migration after an ascending aortic insertion, occurring 16 h postoperatively in a 48 year old man after myocardial revascularization, is presented. The prevention and management of this rare but serious complication of intraaortic balloon pumping is reviewed.
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Penetrating cardiothoracic war wounds are very common among war casualties. Those injuries require prompt and specific treatment in an aim to decrease mortality and late morbidity. There are a few controversies about the best modality of treatment for such injuries, and there are not many large series of such patients in recent literature. ⋯ Penetrating cardiothoracic wounds are among the most serious injuries in war, either in combat or among civilians. In spite of their nature, they can be treated successfully with relatively low mortality and morbidity.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Mar 1997
Reoperations for bleeding after coronary artery bypass procedures during 25 years.
To study the incidence, causes and risk factors of reoperation for bleeding, 8563 coronary artery bypass procedures performed during 1970-1994 were reviewed. ⋯ Special precautions seem indicated to reduce the risk of reoperation for bleeding in particularly elderly patients undergoing combined coronary surgery and other intracardiac repair.
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Operative control via a thoracic approach of chylothorax can be difficult to achieve, particularly if the chyle leak is secondary to previous thoracic surgery. This report describes the ligation of the thoracic duct at the level of the diaphragmatic hiatus, via an abdominal approach. This technique was the definitive management in four of the last 5 patients presenting with chylothorax in our unit. Typically the leak ceased within 24 h with early discharge of the patient from hospital.