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 1999
Comparative Study Clinical TrialClosure of bronchopleural fistula after pneumonectomy with a pedicled intercostal muscle flap.
The value of the pedicled intercostal muscle flap for the closure of postpneumonectomy bronchopleural fistulas was studied retrospectively. ⋯ The use of the pedicled intercostal muscular flap is an efficient method for the closure of bronchopleural fistula after pneumonectomy.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Aug 1999
Comparative StudyBi-directional cavopulmonary shunt: is accessory pulsatile flow, good or bad?
Evaluation of the effect and long-term outcome of accessory pulsatile blood flow versus classical bi-directional cavopulmonary connection (BCPC). ⋯ Despite two different initial palliative techniques the outcome was not significantly different. Accessory pulsatile blood flow appeared not to be a contra-indication for a completion Fontan procedure. Moreover, the data suggest that after accessory pulsatile flow can safely be performed, at late follow-up oxygen saturation is higher, while, significantly more and earlier completion of Fontan occurred. Age at bi-directional cavopulmonary shunt, basic left or right ventricular anatomy or previous palliative surgery did not influence survival.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Aug 1999
Comparative StudyDescending necrotizing mediastinitis: a retrospective surgical experience.
Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is a primary complication of cervical or odontogenical infections that can spread to the mediastinum through the anatomic cervical spaces. We reviewed the last 10 years of our surgical experience in DNM and commented on early diagnosis and aggressive surgical treatment in these patients. ⋯ Early diagnosis by CAT scan of the neck and thorax aids in rapid indication of a surgical approach of DNM. Performing ample cervicotomy with mediastinal drainage generally associated with thoracotomy can significantly reduce the mortality rate for this condition to 14%.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Aug 1999
Comparative StudyRoutine left atrial catheterization for the post-operative management of cardiac surgical patients: is the risk justified?
To assess the risk/benefit ratio, including cost, associated with routine left atrial catheterization for the post-operative management of patients after cardiac surgery. ⋯ Complications of left atrial monitoring catheters in cardiac surgery do occur but at a very low and acceptable rate. No mortality was correlated to their use in our series. Complication rate can be further lowered by a meticulous management of the device. The wealth of information and therapeutic options offered by this line appears to outweigh the associated risk.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Aug 1999
Comparative StudyCoronary artery bypass grafting after orthotopic heart transplantation.
Graft coronary disease (GCD) remains the major determinant of long-term survival after heart transplantation. Therapeutic strategies for the prevention or retardation of GCD in the cardiac allograft are limited, and palliative surgical coronary revascularization has been attempted. The aim of this report was to retrospectively analyze our results of coronary artery bypass grafting after cardiac transplantation. This paper correlates the outcome of patients with the pathohistological and angiographic type of lesion in order to identify transplant recipients who may profit from surgical myocardial revascularization. ⋯ Coronary artery bypass grafting can be successfully performed in a subgroup of cardiac transplant patients with Type A lesions. However, the state of diffusely diseased distal arteries (Type B/C lesions), which is prevalent in this group of patients, limits the use of bypass surgery.