European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Mar 1999
Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical TrialFree flow capacity of skeletonized versus pedicled internal thoracic artery grafts in coronary artery bypass grafts.
The internal thoracic artery (ITA) is the ideal conduit for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The skeletonization technique of this arterial conduit has been proposed to reduce chest wall trauma, increase graft length and facilitate construction of sequential anastomoses. Nevertheless, some surgeons decline this technique because of potentially increased trauma to the ITA with impairment of flow. In this investigation we compared the free flow of skeletonized with that of pedicled ITA grafts. ⋯ Preparation of the ITA with the skeletonization technique results in significantly, higher free flow capacity than in pedicled grafts. This may increase the safety of arterial revascularization by reducing the risk of ITA hypoperfusion syndrome.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Mar 1999
Multicenter StudyPerioperative mortality and major cardio-pulmonary complications after lung surgery for non-small cell carcinoma.
A database of patients operated of lung cancer was analyzed to evaluate the predictive risk factors of operative deaths and life-threatening cardiopulmonary complications. ⋯ Our data demonstrate that perioperative mortality is mainly dependent on the extent of surgery, the presence of CAD and provision of adequate medical and nursing care. Preoperative testing and interventions to reduce the cardiovascular risk factors may help to further improve perioperative outcome.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Mar 1999
Comparative StudyClamshell or sternotomy for double lung or heart-lung transplantation?
To evaluate the influence of either incision on the lungs and chest wall. ⋯ The clamshell incision results in more postoperative deformity, chronic pain, and impaired function as compared with median sternotomy. A bilateral anterolateral thoracotomy without division of the sternum is proposed for the sequential bilateral lung transplantation technique.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Mar 1999
Acute pulmonary hypertension after cardiopulmonary bypass in pig: the role of endogenous endothelin.
Acute pulmonary hypertension occurring after cardiopulmonary bypass can be a cause of post-operative morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether bosentan, a non-peptidic mixed endothelin antagonist affected the pulmonary hypertension induced by experimental cardiopulmonary bypass. ⋯ The present findings support the hypothesis that endogenous endothelin is a mediator of acute pulmonary hypertension occurring after cardiopulmonary bypass. Bosentan, a mixed endothelin antagonist completely prevented pulmonary hypertension after cardiopulmonary bypass and may, therefore, have therapeutic applications in the management of patients following cardiac surgery.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Mar 1999
Case ReportsCombination of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and pulmonary lavage in a patient with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.
We describe a rare case of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in a young woman with dyspnea and progressive hypoxaemia due to the alveolar deposition of insoluble, surfactant-like material. Routine treatment includes whole-lung-lavage (WLL) using double-lumen-tubes for selective lavaging of each lung. We performed three whole-lung-lavages and used veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (v-vECMO) to support oxygenation during these procedures.