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 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialTranscutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for pain management in patients with uncomplicated minor rib fractures.
Few non-surgical conditions are more painful than rib fractures. There are a few methods for pain relief in patients with minor rib fractures. ⋯ We conclude that TENS was more effective than NSAID or placebo in patients with uncomplicated minor rib fractures, because of its prominent and admirable efficacy in reduction of pain.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jul 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialDopamine therapy for patients at risk of renal dysfunction following cardiac surgery: science or fiction?
We aimed to evaluate the renoprotective role of renal-dose dopamine on cardiac surgical patients at high risk of postoperative renal dysfunction. The latter included older patients or those with pre-existing renal disease, elevated preoperative serum creatinine (Cr), poor ventricular function, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and unstable angina requiring intravenous therapy. ⋯ Renal-dose dopamine therapy failed to offer additional renoprotection to patients considered at increased risk of renal dysfunction after CPB.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jul 2002
Case ReportsRepair of ventricular septal defect and left ventricular aneurysm following blunt chest trauma.
In children, even minor trauma to the chest can result in cardiac injury. We describe a case of a 13-year-old boy who received blunt chest trauma during a motorcycle accident. ⋯ An anterior muscular ventricular septal defect was detected one day after the accident, and a left ventricular pseudo-aneurysm developed days later. Both were successfully repaired 3 weeks after the injury.
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Recent studies have suggested that survival following the Norwood procedure is influenced by anatomy and is worse for patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), particularly aortic atresia (AA), as compared to other forms of functional single ventricle and systemic outflow tract obstruction. The current study was undertaken to evaluate our recent experience with the Norwood procedure and to evaluate potential predictors of operative and 1-year mortality. ⋯ The Norwood procedure is currently being applied to a heterogeneous group of patients. Operative and 1-year survival are equivalent for patients with HLHS and those with other cardiac defects. The presence of additional cardiac or extra-cardiac anomalies are predictors of poor outcome.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jul 2002
The role of videothoracoscopy in management of precordial thoracic penetrating injuries.
To report on the value of diagnostic videothoracoscopy in patients with possible penetrating cardiac wounds. ⋯ In the hands of an experienced surgeon, videothoracoscopy may represent a valid alternative to subxiphoid pericardial window in patients with hemodynamic stability and a suspected cardiac wound. Videothoracoscopy can rule out a cardiac injury and allows for the performance of associated procedures such as diaphragm assessment/repair, evacuation of clotted hemothorax, hemostasis of parietal vessels or pulmonary laceration and removal of projectiles.