Heart and vessels
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Anaortic coronary artery bypass proved to prevent early neurologic injury compared to on-pump CABG. The Cardica PAS-Port(®) is a fully automated device that might be able to perform proximal aorto-venous anastomoses without an increased embolic risk. We evaluated early post-operative neurologic outcome in a matched population following clampless OPCAB (CCAB: either "all-arterial" or with automatically anastomosed venous grafts) or on-pump CABG. 366 consecutive patients were submitted to isolated coronary bypass by a single surgeon experienced in both off and on-pump procedures between January 2009 and December 2013. ⋯ No differences were found among other major perioperative outcomes. CCAB prevents both early post-operative RNI and NRNI. This result can be achieved with a totally anaortic strategy and also with the aid of a fully automated device for proximal aorto-venous anastomoses.
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Comparative Study Observational Study
Comparison between drug-coated balloon angioplasty and second-generation drug-eluting stent placement for the treatment of in-stent restenosis after drug-eluting stent implantation.
Even though drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty has emerged as a treatment option for drug-eluting stent in-stent restenosis (DES-ISR), the most effective treatment strategy for DES-ISR is still under debate. Therefore, we compared long-term clinical outcomes following DCB treatment of DES-ISR with those following 2nd-generation drug-eluting stent (DES) treatment. We identified 248 DES-ISR lesions in 238 patients that were treated with either 2nd-generation DES implantation (n = 56) or DCB angioplasty (n = 192). ⋯ Reference segment diameter was the only independent predictive factor for MACE in the post-treatment period (hazard ratio 0.35, 95 % confidence interval: 0.15-0.82, p = 0.016). Clinical efficacy of DCB angioplasty for treatment of DES-ISR was comparable to that of 2nd-generation DES implantation as measured by the rate of MACEs in the two groups. Reference segment diameter was the only statistically significant independent predictor for MACE in the 2-year period following treatment.
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A 58-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of chest pain. The 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) revealed ST-segment elevation in II, III, and a Vf with advanced heart block. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated aortic root dilatation at the sinus of Valsalva, moderate aortic regurgitation, and decreased wall motion in the inferior part of the left ventricle. ⋯ The dissection likely involved the left main coronary artery and an emergent Bentall procedure was performed. Intraoperative findings confirmed an intimal tear and extension of the dissection. Thus, ECG-gated CT can clearly depict the entry site and extension of a dissection occurring in the localized area that cannot be detected by conventional CT.
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Paravertebral block (PVB) is feasible for postoperative analgesia in patients who undergo cardiac surgery with unilateral thoracotomy. Postoperative continuous PVB is as effective as thoracic epidural anesthesia and is less likely to cause hypotension. However, the intraoperative utility and safety of PVB remains unclear. ⋯ The use of inotropic and vasopressor agents was comparable between groups. Intraoperative paravertebral bolus injection decreased remifentanil administration without causing hypotension during TA-TAVI in hemodynamically unstable patients. This result suggests the intraoperative utility of PVB in cardiac surgery.
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Central nervous system dysfunction with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) has been suggested as the main cause of chronic fatigue syndrome. Fluctuation of the symptom severity and hierarchy is a characteristic feature in ME patients. The characteristics of the sympathetic activation may differ between the "good days" and "bad days" in them. ⋯ In contrast, POT did not occur or severe POT was attenuated on the "bad days" in 5 patients (21 %) who developed POT or severe POT on the "good days", suggesting the impaired sympathetic activation. Echocardiography revealed significantly lower mean values of both the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and stroke volume index on the "bad days" compared with the "good days". In conclusion, in ME patients with orthostatic intolerance, the exaggerated activation of the sympathetic nervous system while standing appears to switch to the impaired sympathetic activation after the system is loaded with the additional accentuated stimuli associated with the preload reduction.