Innovations : technology and techniques in cardiothoracic and vascular surgery
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Innovations (Phila) · Nov 2017
ReviewThe Axillary Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump as a Bridge to Recovery Allows Early Ambulation in Long-Term Use: Case Series and Literature Review.
We evaluated the feasibility, tolerability, and efficacy of a strategy for transaxillary artery intra-aortic balloon pump placement for extended mechanical circulatory support of patients with postcardiotomy shock as a bridge to recovery. Patients requiring prolonged intra-aortic balloon pump support for postcardiotomy heart failure were identified. Intra-aortic balloon pump was tunneled through a 6-mm Dacron graft anastomosed to the right axillary artery. ⋯ There were no infection, thromboembolic, cerebrovascular, bleeding, or intra-aortic balloon pump malpositioning/migration complications. We found that transaxillary artery intra-aortic balloon pump is well tolerated by patients and allows early ambulation and aggressive physical therapy in patients needing extended support. Duration of intra-aortic balloon pump support was up to 43 days with no complications.
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Innovations (Phila) · Nov 2017
Observational StudyVATS Plication of the Diaphragm: A Descriptive Observational 10-Year Southampton Experience.
The aim of the study was to report the safety and efficacy of video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) plication of the diaphragm at our institution between 2006 and 2016. ⋯ We found minimal access VATS plication of the diaphragm to be feasible and safe, but no firm conclusions should be drawn from our limited resources. We report the feasibility of concomitant bilateral VATS plication of the diaphragm in two adults, and this was not previously reported in the adult population. There is a need for further good quality, prospective studies, and randomized controlled studies evaluating efficacy of VATS diaphragmatic plication.