European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Nov 1998
Case ReportsInfective endocarditis complicated by mycotic cerebral aneurysm: two case reports of women in the peripartum period.
Mycotic cerebral aneurysm is a relatively rare but very serious complication of infective endocarditis. Infective endocarditis is a rare but a potentially fatal complication of pregnancy. We report here two very rare cases of infective endocarditis associated with mycotic cerebral aneurysm in peripartum women. ⋯ In the other case, emergency cerebral surgery was performed due to rupture on the day cardiac surgery had been scheduled, 45 days after delivery. The surgical management of a patient with infective endocarditis and mycotic cerebral aneurysm is reviewed. The surgical strategy for a pregnant patient is also reviewed.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Nov 1998
Acute ascending aortic dissection complicating open heart surgery: cerebral perfusion defines the outcome.
This retrospective study was designed to assess the risks of acute ascending aorta dissection (AAD) as a rare but potentially fatal complication of open heart surgery. ⋯ Preventing AAD with the appropriate means remains standard practice in cardiac surgery. If AAD occurs, it requires prompt diagnosis and interposition graft to allow a better prognosis. Intraoperative AAD happens at the beginning of CPB jeopardizing perfusion of the supra-aortic arteries.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Nov 1998
Case ReportsIsolated pericardial rupture with left-sided haematothorax after blunt chest trauma.
Pericardial rupture after blunt chest trauma is described in the literature. The rupture is mostly caused by high velocity trauma with associated injuries. ⋯ We describe a case of a 59-year-old man who suffered from an isolated pericardial rupture with a left-sided haematothorax diagnosed 3 months after minimal blunt chest trauma. The patient was operated upon and the defect was closed without detrimental sequelae.