Ugeskrift for laeger
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Ugeskrift for laeger · Apr 2009
Review[Inherited cardiac diseases caused by Nav1.5 sodium channel mutations].
Contraction of the heart is achieved through a delicately regulated conduction of electrical impulses. A pivotal element in the impulse propagation is the depolarising sodium current responsible for the initial depolarisation of the cardiomyocytes. Recent research has shown that mutations in the gene encoding the cardiac sodium channel (SCN5A) is associated with both rare forms of ventricular arrhythmia, and with the most frequent form of arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation.
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Ugeskrift for laeger · Apr 2009
Review[Transcatheter replacement of the aortic valve--a novel treatment modality for high-risk patients].
Aortic stenosis is the most common valve disease and in line with the rising life expectancy, the population of patients with this disease is expected to rise in years to come. About one third of the patients evaluated for conventional surgical replacement of the aortic valve are dismissed due to high risk of complication as a result of age and occurrence of comorbidity. For this group of inoperable patients, a new treatment can be offered in the form of transcatheter replacement of the aortic valve. This article describes the method and the current experiences.
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We have experienced a growing demand from patients for minimally invasive cardiac surgery. ⋯ Endoscopic mitral valve surgery is an attractive alternative to conventional sternotomy with an attractive cosmetic result. This can be obtained without compromising quality or safety. This paper confirms that endoscopic mitral valve surgery is feasible and it provides the least invasive operative approach. The technique is currently our primary surgical approach for mitral valve disease.
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Ugeskrift for laeger · Apr 2009
[Percutaneous aortic valve replacement - initial experience and results].
Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common heart valvular disease and with progressive disease morbidity and mortality are substantial. The standard treatment in symptomatic patients is surgical valve replacement. However, one third of the patients with severe AS are inoperable due to advanced age and comorbidity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of percutaneous aortic valve replacement - a new treatment modality for patients with inoperable AS. ⋯ Implantation of a percutaneous aortic valve can be achieved in patients with inoperable AS and may become a very important therapeutic modality for this group of patients. These first results from Copenhagen University Hospital are promising and in concordance with international experience.
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Ugeskrift for laeger · Apr 2009
[Minimally invasive transapical aortic valve implantation. A multidisciplinary procedure for heart surgeons, cardiologists and thoracic anaesthesiologists].
The preliminary results of a new emerging technology for minimally invasive transapical aortic valve implantation for high risk patients with aortic stenosis is discussed and the potential for broader based application of this promising approach is put into perspective.