European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Aug 2005
Conversion to sinus rhythm does not improve long-term survival after valve surgery: insights from a 20-year follow-up study.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is frequently associated with valvular heart disease and a common complication of valve surgery. Its contribution to long-term mortality and morbidity remains debated. Our objective was to determine the impact of AF on long-term mortality and embolic complications after valvular surgery and the benefit of conversion to sinus rhythm. This may provide insight to the clinical advantages of surgical anti-AF procedures. ⋯ The conversion to sinus rhythm did not improve long-term survival or reduce the incidence of embolic complications after valve surgery. Patients with preoperative AF had poorer survival than patients without preoperative AF. AF may be a marker of advanced disease in these patients.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Aug 2005
Surgery for right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit obstruction: risk factors for further reoperation.
To identify the surgical approaches and risk factors which influence longevity of right ventricle to pulmonary artery (RV-PA) conduits following first reoperation for obstruction. ⋯ Our results support the optimal surgical approach for RV-PA conduit obstruction is total replacement with a xenograft. RV outflow reconstruction by other techniques without complete dissection of PA bifurcation does not completely relieve the stenosis and could cause early restenosis. Higher systolic gradients at discharge and younger age at first reoperation are predictors of earlier reoperation.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Aug 2005
Recombinant activated factor VII in the management of life-threatening bleeding in cardiac surgery.
Massive perioperative bleeding is a potential complication of cardiac surgery, and may persist despite conventional interventions. RFVIIa is being increasingly used as additional therapy, and the aim of the present study was to describe our experience with rFVIIa in the management of life-threatening bleeding in adult cardiac surgery. ⋯ RFVIIa was successfully used as an additional therapy both during and after cardiac surgery, when bleeding was refractory to conventional methods. Bleeding stopped eventually in all patients and none of the patients exsanguinated.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Aug 2005
Atypical forms of isolated partial atrioventricular septal defect increase the risk of initial valve replacement and reoperation.
We consider the short- and long-term outcomes of the repair of the isolated partial atrioventricular (AV) septal defect to determine the role played by the atypical forms on the initial AV valve replacement and on the risk of reoperation. ⋯ The morbi-mortality of the isolated partial AV septal defect is primarily perioperative and is linked with the presence of an atypical form of the lesion. This atypical form was the main reason for reoperation for AV valve regurgitation. The AV valve replacement was associated with a high mortality and with the occurrence of complete AV block. Using a standardized technique, the AV septal defect can be repaired with excellent long-term clinical and echographic results.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Aug 2005
Awake one stage bilateral thoracoscopic sympathectomy for palmar hyperhidrosis: a safe outpatient procedure.
To verify the feasibility and compare the results of thoracoscopic sympathectomy under local anaesthesia (LA) and spontaneous breathing vs. general anaesthesia (GA) with one-lung ventilation. ⋯ In our study, awake one stage bilateral thoracoscopic sympathectomy for palmar hyperhidrosis could be safely and effectively performed as an outpatient procedure in patients refusing GA. Postoperative quality of life was equal to that in patients undergone the same procedure under GA, while patient satisfaction was better and cost were significantly reduced.