European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jun 2012
Reparative surgery of the pulmonary autograft: experience with Ross reoperations.
Autograft valve and root pathology is the leading cause of Ross procedure failure. To define risk and outcome of autograft valve/root repair at reoperation, a 17-year experience was analysed. ⋯ Autograft reoperation carries negligible hospital risk. Pulmonary valve sparing or repair is feasible in half of patients with Ross failure. Concomitant root remodelling and absence of preoperative severe valve dysfunction predict successful and durable repair.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jun 2012
Ventricular assist device implantation in patients on percutaneous extracorporeal life support without switching to conventional cardiopulmonary bypass system.
Ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is an established procedure. However, the well-described complications of CPB may exacerbate multiple organ failure and increase blood product transfusions especially in end-stage heart failure patients. ⋯ Our experience suggests that VAD implantation using percutaneous ECLS without switching to conventional CPB is a safe alternative in the bridge to bridge concept, especially in high-risk patients with cardiogenic shock who would benefit from the avoidance of the adverse sequels associated with conventional CPB.