Scandinavian cardiovascular journal : SCJ
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To investigate social and gender equality in access to coronary revascularization for those treated for coronary heart disease in Sweden between 1991 and 2000. ⋯ There are gender and socio-economic inequalities in access to cardiac procedures in Sweden.
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Scand. Cardiovasc. J. · Dec 2004
Patients' views of the consent process for adult cardiac surgery: questionnaire survey.
Consent for surgical procedures has assumed increasing importance in surgical practice in recent days especially following the public inquiry into paediatric cardiac surgery deaths at Bristol in the UK. This study examines patient perceptions and recollections following surgical consent as currently practised in a UK cardiac unit. ⋯ Our study shows that patients undergoing cardiac surgery are largely satisfied with our improved consent procedures in the post-Bristol era. Use of booklets may be a useful adjunct to verbal consent as currently practised.
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Scand. Cardiovasc. J. · Oct 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialIsoflurane produces only minor preconditioning in coronary artery bypass grafting.
To investigate whether administration of isoflurane prior to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) could partly account for the observed protection of the myocardial function and to decrease myocardial injury in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). ⋯ Administration of isoflurane prior to commencing CPB may bring an improvement in early hemodynamic performance after CABG operations.
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Scand. Cardiovasc. J. · Oct 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialThe benefits of continuous ultrafiltration in pediatric cardiac surgery.
Systemic inflammatory response and capillary leak syndrome, caused by extracorporeal circulation, have negative effects on the function of vital organs during the postoperative period. Modified ultrafiltration (MUF) has been developed as an alternative method to reduce the detrimental effects of cardiopulmonary bypass. The aim of this prospective, randomized study is to analyze the effects of MUF in a pediatric population undergoing congenital cardiac surgery. ⋯ MUF decreases the duration of mechanical ventilatory support, the length of intensive care unit stay, the need for blood transfusion and improves postoperative hemodynamics. It is associated with increased levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit and platelets. We can conclude that MUF attenuates the inflammatory response by decreasing the levels of inflammatory mediators.