Journal of cardiac surgery
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Review Case Reports
Phrenic nerve injury following cardiac surgery: a review.
Phrenic nerve injury following cardiac surgery is variable in its incidence depending on the diligence with which it is sought. Definitive studies have shown this complication to be related to cold-induced injury during myocardial protection strategies and possibly to mechanical injury during internal mammary artery harvesting. ⋯ Two cases are presented to demonstrate the variability in clinical responses to diaphragmatic dysfunction secondary to phrenic nerve injury from cardiac surgery. In addition, treatment strategies are reviewed including early tracheostomy and diaphragmatic plication, which appear to be the most effective options for patients who are compromised by phrenic injuries.
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Cardiac surgeons took to the heart and claimed an exclusive privilege to intervene. The task of cardiologists was to identify "candidates" and feed the great surgical machine. Recently, catheter surgery was developed and has fallen into the hands of cardiologists who became interventionists. ⋯ Surgeons must again become Renaissance men, involved in the entire field of cardiology, with a special skill in surgical techniques. Cardiac surgeons should no longer confine their practice to the delivering end. This end does not, any more, justify the means.
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Neurological impairment is a major cause of morbidity after cardiac surgery and may be associated with occurrence of cerebral microemboli generated during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). This study evaluates cerebral dysfunction following coronary artery surgery on-pump and off-pump. ⋯ Cerebral dysfunction as evidenced by ASEM errors is common following coronary bypass on-pump, but rare with off-pump bypass surgery. Cerebral microemboli generated during CPB may account for this difference.
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Case Reports
"Double-orifice" technique to repair extensive mitral valve excision following acute endocarditis.
The use of conservative surgical techniques to treat mitral valve regurgitation secondary to acute endocarditis is controversial. Reconstruction of the anterior leaflet may represent an additional challenge in such a setting. ⋯ The "double-orifice" technique was performed and allowed the salvage of the native valve. There was no recurrent infection at 6 months from surgery, with optimal hemodynamic results.