Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Jun 2015
A new tissue-engineered biodegradable surgical patch for high-pressure systems †.
Ideal alternatives for replacing native arteries, which have biocompatibility such as growth potential, anti-thrombogenesis and durability, have yet to be discovered. We previously demonstrated the utility of tissue-engineered vascular autografts; however, the use of these autografts is limited to low-pressure conditions. The aim of this study was to create the tissue-engineered arterial patch (TEAP) that could be used in high-pressure systems, and to evaluate the maturation in this regenerative tissue. ⋯ We demonstrated the maturation of endothelial and smooth muscle cells in TEAP, suggesting that this biodegradable polymer scaffold could be used as an alternative vascular material even in high-pressure systems.
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Jun 2015
Extracorporeal life support in patients with refractory cardiogenic shock: keep them awake.
Traditionally, patients on extracorporeal life support (ECLS) are sedated and mechanically ventilated and therefore prone to complications related to immobility and ventilation. We adopted this 'Awake ECLS' strategy for the patients with refractory cardiogenic shock (RCS) as a bridge to decision. ⋯ ECLS as a bridge to decision in RCS is effective in restoring adequate systemic perfusion and recovering end-organ function. ECLS can be initiated in awake patients with RCS and patients can be awakened on ECLS. The 'awake ECLS' strategy may avoid complications related to mechanical ventilation, sedation and immobilization. RCS patients supported on ECLS without severe metabolic acidosis, multiorgan failure, intra-aortic balloon pump or uncertain neurological status are more likely to be weaned from the ventilator. Patients that are awake at the time of ECLS implantation are more likely to remain awake during ECLS.
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Jun 2015
Veno-veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for respiratory failure with severe haemodynamic impairment: technique and early outcomes.
Patients with respiratory failure may benefit from veno-venous and veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. We report on our initial experience of veno-veno-arterial (v-v-a) ECMO in patients with respiratory failure. ⋯ Veno-veno-arterial ECMO is a technically feasible rescue strategy in treating patients presenting with combined respiratory and haemodynamic failure.
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Jun 2015
Is minimally invasive mitral valve repair with artificial chords reproducible and applicable in routine surgery?
Traditional resectional techniques and chordal transfer are difficult to apply in video-assisted mitral valve repair. Using artificial chords appears easier in this setting. The purpose of this study was to review the effectiveness and reproducibility of neochordal repair as a routine approach to minimally invasive mitral repair, and to assess the stability of neochord implantation using the figure-of-eight suture without pledgets in this setting. ⋯ Minimally invasive mitral valve repair using neochords provided a high rate of repair, reproducible results in a routine cardiac surgery setting and stable repair during follow-up. This has become our preferred technique for mitral valve surgery.