Texas Heart Institute journal
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The initial and long-term benefits of coronary artery bypass grafting depend upon maintaining the coronary blood flow supplied by the graft. In order to devise a scoring system for predicting graft patency, we evaluated presumptive correlations between saphenous vein graft patency and the characteristics of saphenous veins that were used as conduits in coronary revascularization. We prospectively evaluated 1,000 saphenous vein segments that were implanted in 403 consecutive patients who underwent on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting at our hospital from January 2006 through February 2009. ⋯ A cutoff score of 7 yielded 87.8% sensitivity and 82.8% specificity. Our scoring system has good prognostic value. We believe that it can assist surgeons in choosing the most appropriate conduit and target vessel for coronary artery bypass grafting, especially in high-risk patients who are particularly dependent on blood flow through saphenous vein grafts.
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Patent foramen ovale is increasingly diagnosed in patients who are undergoing clinical study for cryptogenic stroke or migraine. In addition, patent foramen ovale is often suspected as a cause of paradoxical embolism in patients who present with arterial thromboembolism. The femoral venous approach to closure has been the mainstay. ⋯ Herein, we describe 2 cases of patent foramen ovale in which the transhepatic approach was used for closure. To our knowledge, this is the 1st report of a transhepatic approach to patent foramen ovale closure in an adult patient. Moreover, no previous case of patent foramen ovale closure has been reported in a patient with interrupted inferior vena cava.
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Interatrial septal hematoma is a very rare complication after mitral valve surgery. Unusually, it is the result of aortic valve disease, including aortic dissection. We report a case wherein interatrial septal hematoma followed minimally invasive aortic valve replacement in a 68-year-old woman. ⋯ The interatrial septal hematoma was at first drained by needle, but recurrence prompted reoperation and plication of the interatrial septum. Finally, the hematoma resolved after correction of the coagulopathy. Catheter injury to the coronary sinus exacerbated by the retrograde administration of cardioplegic solution is thought to have caused the origin of the interatrial septal dissection.
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Case Reports
Endocarditis with left ventricular cutaneous fistula after aortic root replacement with a valved conduit.
Infection after aortic root replacement is uncommon, and it can be fatal. Herein, we present the case of a patient who underwent aortic root replacement with a valved conduit and coronary reimplantation. Prosthetic valve endocarditis and left ventricular cutaneous fistula ensued. ⋯ The fistula coursed from the valved conduit through the left ventricular outflow tract, behind the left main coronary artery, and to the skin at the upper sternum. Safe surgical entry into the chest was crucial, due to the free communication between the left ventricle, mediastinum, and skin. We discuss our surgical approach to this unusual combination of conditions, and the postoperative treatment of the patient.
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The HeartAttendant programs the controller and sets pump rpm and alarm thresholds. It collects and stores pump parameters when connected to the controller and enables remote monitoring via the Internet. It charges and reconditions the batteries and can provide electrical power from the wall. ⋯ A new U. S. Food and Drug Administration study of the HeartAssist 5 as a bridge to transplant is being finalized.