European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
-
Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Aug 2003
Surgery of the dilated aortic root and ascending aorta in pediatric patients: techniques and results.
Dilatation of the aortic root is a well-known cardiovascular manifestation in children and adult patients with connective tissue disease (e.g. Marfan syndrome). Dilatation of the ascending aorta is extremely rare and may be associated with bicuspid aortic valve. This report evaluates the incidence of dilatative aortic root and ascending aortic pathology in patients younger than 18 years and analyzes the results obtained after repair and replacement strategies. ⋯ Repair of the aortic root and/or ascending aorta in children and adolescent patients can be performed with acceptable early and late results. While the presence of severe comorbidity may adversely affect early outcome, long-term survival was mainly determined by rupture of the descending aorta.
-
Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Aug 2003
Case ReportsSuccessful treatment of Salmonella mycotic aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta.
Salmonella mycotic aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta are exceedingly rare. There are few case reports and even fewer reports of long term survival. The case of a 68-year-old female presenting with a mycotic aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta caused by Salmonella species is described, which involved successful surgical intervention.
-
Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Aug 2003
Modified ultrafiltration may not improve neurologic outcome following deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.
Modified ultrafiltration (MUF) improves systolic blood pressure and left ventricular performance, as well as lowering transfusion requirements, after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). MUF has also been shown to enhance acute cerebral metabolic recovery after deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA), but whether this improves neurologic outcome is unknown. ⋯ Use of MUF after DHCA does not prevent neuronal injury or improve neurologic outcome in this neonatal swine model.
-
Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Aug 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialCombined radiofrequency modified maze and mitral valve procedure through a port access approach: early and mid-term results.
The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of irrigated radiofrequency (RF) modified Maze procedure through a port access approach during mitral valve surgery and evaluate early and mid-term results. ⋯ The combination of mitral valve surgery and irrigated RF Maze procedure was safe and efficient through a port access approach. There were no procedure related complications like esophageal or coronary artery injury. Early and mid-term results were favourable with 93.6% of patients free of AF at 1 year in comparison to the 9.4% of the control group. The data is not sufficient to reach any conclusions in terms of thromboembolic rates, despite favourable results for the RF Maze group. Nevertheless, in terms of feasibilty, sinus rhythm restoration and overall outcome, early results are encouraging and we advocate the use of the combined procedure through a port access approach.