European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) may be used for severe graft failure after heart transplantation, but the degree to which it is lifesaving is uncertain. ⋯ Severe refractory heart failure after transplantation is a rare catastrophic event for which MCS offers the possibility of recovery or bridge to retransplantation, particularly for patients with biventricular failure in the absence of rejection. Early retransplantation should be considered in patients who show no evidence of graft recovery on MCS.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jan 2012
Controlled Clinical TrialSafety and feasibility of intra-operative device closure of atrial septal defect with transthoracic minimal invasion.
The study aims to evaluate the safety and feasibility of intra-operative device closure of atrial septal defect with transthoracic minimal invasion. ⋯ Intra-operative device closure of atrial septal defect with transthoracic minimal invasion is a safe and feasible technique. It had the advantages of cost savings, yielding better cosmetic results, and leaving less trauma than surgical closure.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jan 2012
Preoperative hemoglobin A1c predicts atrial fibrillation after off-pump coronary bypass surgery.
Diabetes mellitus has been recognized as a risk factor for mortality and morbidity after coronary bypass grafting, but a significant association between diabetes mellitus and postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) has not been found. Although a recent study demonstrated a potential link between preoperative hemoglobin A1c level and risk of postoperative AF, there has not been sufficient examination of this relationship. We aimed to investigate the association between preoperative hemoglobin A1c and AF after isolated off-pump coronary bypass grafting. ⋯ Preoperative hemoglobin A1c independently predicts the occurrence of AF after isolated off-pump coronary bypass grafting.