European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Mar 2014
Case ReportsComputational haemodynamic analysis of patient-specific virtual operations for total cavopulmonary connection with dual superior venae cavae.
This study set out to design different types of total cavopulmonary connections (TCPC) with dual superior venae cavae (SVC), taking into account different sites for anastomosis from venae cavae to pulmonary arteries (PAs), and to compare haemodynamic features in these virtual operative designs. ⋯ For this patient, anastomosing the left superior vena cava (LSVC) and right superior vena cava (RSVC) on the PAs close together will cause higher power loss and lower energy efficiency in the TCPC connection. If the LSVC and RSVC had been connected to the PAs as near as possible to stimulate growth of the central PAs when performing I-stage BBDG procedure, the extracardiac conduit from IVC would be better connected just under the anastomotic site in the following TCPC procedure to avoid high power loss.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Mar 2014
Early results of a novel technique for ring-reinforced aortic valve and root restoration.
Surgery for aortic root aneurysm without valve stenosis is increasingly being transformed from the Bentall procedure to valve-sparing aortic root remodelling or reimplantation. In this report, a new repair option is explored, with full functional 'restoration' of the aortic root complex using a geometric annuloplasty ring, leaflet repair, and sinus/ascending aortic replacement with a Valsalva graft. ⋯ Patients were managed as part of a Phase I (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01400841), supported by BioStable Science and Engineering (BSE), Austin, TX, USA; www.biostable-s-e.com.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Mar 2014
Repair of Ebstein's anomaly in neonates and small infants: impact of right ventricular exclusion and its indications.
In cases of severe Ebstein's anomaly, it is essential to determine whether biventricular repair (BVR) or single-ventricle palliation is feasible. Since 1999, in our institution, we have used the novel technique comprising tricuspid valve (TV) closure and right ventricular and right atrial (RV/RA) exclusion to reduce the deleterious effects of an enlarged RV in patients with severe Ebstein's anomaly. However, in cases with good RV function, primary BVR is performed. In the present study, we describe our surgical strategy in the treatment of severely symptomatic neonates with Ebstein's anomaly. ⋯ Critically ill neonates with Ebstein's anomaly can be successfully treated using RV/RA exclusion combined with a modified BT shunt in cases where RV function is poor. However, in cases of good RV function, we recommend the use of primary BVR.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Mar 2014
Early clinical outcomes of robot-assisted surgery for anterior mediastinal mass: its superiority over a conventional sternotomy approach evaluated by propensity score matching.
We performed this study to assess early clinical outcomes of robot-assisted surgery for anterior mediastinal mass by comparing results of the robot group with those of the sternotomy group after propensity score matching. ⋯ In carefully selected patients with relatively smaller sized masses, robot-assisted surgery resulted in excellent early clinical outcomes with lesser tube drainage, lower blood loss, shorter tube days and length of hospital stay without any postoperative complications, compared with the matched open group. Further investigation for long-term clinical outcomes and oncological outcomes is required for a robotic approach. Particularly, long-term follow-up for the local recurrence rate according to the pathological diagnoses is required.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Mar 2014
Neuron-specific enolase serum levels predict severe neuronal injury after extracorporeal life support in resuscitation.
Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is a rescue option in critically ill patients. Since fast available and appropriate for respiratory and circulatory failure, it is frequently applied in resuscitation scenarios. Neurological injury is a complication common in ECLS patients limiting outcome, particularly after resuscitation. In this study, the institutional ECLS database was used to correlate neuron-specific enolase (NSE) serum peak values with outcome of patients supported with venoarterial (VA) ECLS during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). ⋯ High NSE serum levels after ECLS correspond to poor neurological outcome and considerable mortality. Therefore, early neuroimaging is reasonable for determining therapeutic strategies in patients with high NSE peaks after resuscitation and extracorporeal support.