The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jun 2017
Hands-on surgical training of congenital heart surgery using 3-dimensional print models.
Patient-based congenital heart surgery (CHS) training is opportunity-based and difficult. Three-dimensional (3D) print models of the heart were used for hands-on surgical training (HOST) at the 2015 AATS and subsequently in 2 local institutions. We aim to introduce the process of 3D printing for surgical simulation and to present the attendee's responses. ⋯ HOST using 3D print heart models is achievable and allows surgical practice on pathological hearts without patients' risk. HOST is a highly applicable surgical simulation format for CHS. Incorporation of HOST in training programs could change the traditional opportunity-based education to the requirement-based standardized education.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jun 2017
Endothelin inhibitors lower pulmonary vascular resistance and improve functional capacity in patients with Fontan circulation.
To evaluate the effects of endothelin inhibitors (ERAs) on hemodynamic and functional parameters in patients post-Fontan procedure with high pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). ⋯ This is the first study that assesses by cardiac catheterization and CPET the effects of ERA in patients with Fontan circulation with increased PVR. These results suggest that ERAs might provide most pronounced hemodynamic and functional improvement in adults and adolescents.