European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Feb 1999
Comparative StudyHomograft valve insertion for pulmonary regurgitation late after valveless repair of right ventricular outflow tract obstruction.
Pulmonary regurgitation after valveless repair of right ventricular outflow tract obstruction (RVOTO) results in progressive right ventricular (RV) dilatation and dysfunction in an increasing number of patients. Since 1989, we have exclusively used cryopreserved homografts to restore pulmonary valve competence in these patients. Our 9-year-experience with pulmonary valve insertion (PVI) in such cases has been reviewed to evaluate the indications for this procedure and its benefits. ⋯ Homograft PVI is safe and provides clinical improvement with a significant reduction in RV volume overload and excellent mid-term results in most patients with severe PR late after RVOTO repair. This procedure should be undertaken early in symptomatic patients, before severe RV failure and ventricular arrhythmias ensue.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Feb 1999
Comparative StudyConversion of atriopulmonary or lateral atrial tunnel cavopulmonary anastomosis to extracardiac conduit Fontan modification.
Obstruction of the atriopulmonary anastomosis or the lateral atrial tunnel cavopulmonary anastomosis in the Fontan circulation for univentricular physiology may result in dilation of the right atrium or the right atrial free wall that is incorporated in the lateral atrial tunnel, respectively. Secondary detrimental sequelae may consist of supraventricular dysrhythmias, thromboembolism, right pulmonary vein compression, pleural effusions, and protein-losing enteropathy. Conversion of these Fontan connections to an extracardiac conduit cavopulmonary anastomosis may improve central systemic venous flow patterns and provide clinical improvement in these patients. ⋯ Conversion to an extracardiac cavopulmonary connection may lead to clinical improvement in patients with atriopulmonary or lateral atrial tunnel Fontan connection associated with specific target conditions such as obstruction, pulmonary vein compression, right atrial enlargement, atrial dysrhythmia, or atrial thrombus. The conversion operation should not be unduly delayed to prevent irreversible deterioration of clinical status with chronic rhythm disturbances or protein-losing enteropathy. The benefit of the conversion operation is questionable in patients with poor clinical condition and protein-losing enteropathy.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Feb 1999
Case ReportsAn isolated ventricular septal defect as a consequence of penetrating injury to the heart.
The authors describe, in a case report, an isolated defect of the ventricular septum developing due to a stab injury to the heart not requiring an emergency surgical intervention. Two months after the injury, the authors performed primary surgical correction of the defect.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Feb 1999
Case ReportsMesenteric ischemia after coronary artery bypass grafting: should local continuous intra-arterial perfusion with papaverine be regarded as a treatment?
Mesenteric ischemia after cardiac surgery is rare but dramatic. We present a patient who had acute mesenteric ischemia following low cardiac output after coronary artery bypass grafting. Our patient was successfully treated with continuous intra-arterial perfusion with papaverine. We think that selective angiography must be performed as early as mesenteric ischemia is suspected, to get earlier diagnosis and treatment of an ischemic patient.