European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jul 1998
Non-invasive measurement of cardiac output during coronary artery bypass grafting.
A new device, using whole body bioresistance measurements and a new equation for calculating stroke volume has been developed. Using this equation, an attempt was made to correlate whole body bioresistance cardiac output with thermodilution cardiac output in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. ⋯ Cardiac output measured with the new device correlates well with the thermodilution measurements of cardiac output during and immediately following coronary artery bypass grafting. The overall agreement between the two methods was good. The new device is an accurate non-invasive method of measuring cardiac output during coronary artery bypass grafting.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jul 1998
Orthotopic cardiac transplantation for the failing Fontan circulation.
Modified Fontan procedures are now employed in several conditions unsuitable for bi-ventricular repair. Selection criteria have been relaxed. The procedure is palliative. Longterm outlook is unknown. This study evaluated factors associated with the development of a failing Fontan circulation and transplantation results. ⋯ In high-risk Fontan candidates, transplantation may be preferable at the outset. Previous surgery, lymphocytotoxic antibodies, indeterminate pulmonary vascular resistance, emergency status, sub-optimal donor selection, and perioperative bleeding contribute to peri-operative mortality. In survivors, the outcome remains very encouraging.