The Annals of thoracic surgery
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The surgical treatment of mitral regurgitation associated with Marfan's syndrome remains controversial because of the underlying degenerative process. ⋯ Mitral valve repair for mitral regurgitation in patients with Marfan's syndrome can be performed safely in almost all instances. This technique provided stable midterm results comparable with those obtained for other degenerative mitral valve diseases.
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A surgically treated case of absent pulmonary valve syndrome associated with type B interrupted aortic arch is presented. The presence of a restrictive ductus arteriosus promoted the development of a collateral circulation between ascending and descending thoracic aorta, allowing the child to remain clinically stable after birth.
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As the extracardiac Fontan operation evolves, a reliable method for creating and subsequently closing communications between the systemic and pulmonary venous chambers would be useful. We describe a surgical technique for creating this "fenestration" and a complementary transcatheter technique that allows safe and reliable closure of these communications regardless of size and position.
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Left ventricular thrombus is a complication of myocardial infarction, ventricular aneurysm, cardiomyopathy, and myocarditis. Left ventriculotomy has been the standard approach for removal of left ventricular thrombus. ⋯ We describe a case of left ventricular thrombus with systemic embolization in a patient with myocarditis. Video-assisted cardioscopy allowed visualization and removal of the thrombus via an aortotomy, thereby avoiding a left ventriculotomy.
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This study sought to determine whether extensive arterial grafting reduces the prevalence and consequences of infarct after coronary artery bypass grafting. ⋯ Arterial conduits, particularly to the left anterior descending coronary artery, should be used for coronary artery bypass grafting to reduce early and late myocardial infarction and its consequences. However, use of more than a single arterial graft appears to confer no additional benefit.