Scandinavian cardiovascular journal : SCJ
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Scand. Cardiovasc. J. · Dec 2011
Cardiac function in relation to rhythm outcome after intraoperative epicardial left atrial cryoablation.
To assess the effects of intraoperative left atrial epicardial cryoablation on rhythm and atrial and ventricular function. ⋯ At long-term follow-up, a significantly higher proportion of patients was in sinus rhythm in the cryoablation than in the control group. The atrial and ventricular function had decreased at follow-up two years after surgery. This decrease was small and occurred within or close to the reference values in patients with sinus rhythm at follow-up, while patients remaining in atrial fibrillation showed a significant continued deterioration. Some subgroups were small, and the findings, although statistically significant, should be interpreted with caution.
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Scand. Cardiovasc. J. · Dec 2011
Comparative StudyJ-shaped versus median sternotomy for aortic valve replacement with minimal extracorporeal circuit.
Minimal access aortic valve replacement (AVR) has been demonstrated to have beneficial effects over median sternotomy. Minimal extracorporeal circulation (MECC) has been shown to have less deleterious effects than conventional cardiopulmonary bypass. We describe for the first time AVR via upper J-shaped partial sternotomy compared to median sternotomy using MECC. ⋯ Minimal access AVR using MECC is feasible and provides excellent clinical results. Less pain and quicker recovery was experienced among patients in this group.
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Scand. Cardiovasc. J. · Oct 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialShort-term effects of inspiratory muscle training in coronary artery bypass graft surgery: a randomized controlled trial.
To investigate the efficiency of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on postoperative respiratory muscle strength, functional capacity, quality of life, and psychosocial status in patients with coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. ⋯ IMT results in faster recovery of inspiratory muscle strength, functional capacity, intensive care unit stay, quality of life and psychosocial status after CABG.
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Scand. Cardiovasc. J. · Oct 2011
Single center experience with transcatheter aortic valve implantation using the Edwards SAPIEN™ Valve.
The use of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for high-risk patients was introduced in the early 2000s for treatment of aortic valve stenosis patients with too high surgical risk. During the last years, there has been a dramatic increase in TAVI procedures. TAVI programs are implemented in numerous cardiac centers. This paper describes a single center experience with its first 100 TAVI procedures. ⋯ In surgically non-amenable patients, TAVI can be performed with acceptable mortality and morbidity and results in marked functional improvement. A decrease in 30-day mortality over time indicated a learning curve when implementing this treatment.
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Scand. Cardiovasc. J. · Oct 2011
Levosimendan decreases intracranial pressure after hypothermic circulatory arrest in a porcine model.
Hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) provides an optimal operating field in aortic arch surgery, but it is associated with neurological complications. Levosimendan is an inotropic agent with clinical indications for open-heart surgery. Through peripheral vasodilatation, cardiac contractility enhancement and anti-inflammatory function it has a potential to improve cerebral protection after HCA. ⋯ Levosimendan decreased intracranial pressure during the experiment, but in terms of cerebral metabolism, neurological recovery and histopathology of the brain tissue levosimendan did not improve brain protection in this experimental setting.