European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Apr 2003
Comparative StudyNeurocognitive deficit following aortic valve replacement with biological/mechanical prosthesis.
The aim of this study was to objectively measure neurocognitive deficit following aortic valve replacement with a mechanical or biological prosthesis. ⋯ Postoperative neurocognitive damage is not reversible in (-elderly) patients with biological aortic valve replacement, while in contrast postoperative neurocognitive damage is reversible in (-younger) patients with mechanical valve replacement. For this contrary development, age seems to be most important, whereas damage related to type of valve prosthesis may be overestimated.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Apr 2003
Comparative StudyPrimary pulmonary sarcomas and carcinosarcomas--postoperative results and comparative survival analysis.
To evaluate the early and long-term results after surgery for primary pulmonary sarcomas (PPS) and to compare them with those of patients with pulmonary carcinosarcomas (PCaSa). ⋯ Complete resection of PPS and PCaSa favors an acceptable survival, especially in low stages. There is no significant difference in the survival rates between PPS and PCaSa patients, despite the greater number of cases with higher stages in PCaSa group.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Apr 2003
Peri-operative comparison of different transient external shunt techniques in bidirectional cavo-pulmonary shunt.
In patients with functional single ventricular physiology, the avoidance of cardiopulmonary bypass offers many advantages including earlier extubation, decreased necessity of inotropic support, improved hemodynamical status and reduced likelihood of post-operative prolonged pleural effusion. We believe that the bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis operations may be performed with transient external shunt techniques. The purpose of this prospective study is the peri- and post-operative comparison of different transient external shunt methods used in bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt operations. ⋯ Based on the study presented here, bidirectional cavo-pulmonary anastomosis can be carried out by using different types of transient external shunt. The best hemodynamical condition and arterial O(2) levels were achieved with the shunt constructed between superior vena cava and left pulmonary artery.
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Delayed pericardial effusion following penetrating cardiac trauma has not been commonly reported, and the exact incidence remains unknown. It was more common before 1960, when pericardiocentesis was still a popular treatment for stable patients presenting with a stab wound to the heart. ⋯ The diagnosis of a penetrating cardiac patient may be missed in a stable patient, and patients may present with delayed pericardial effusions and tamponade. Post pericardiotomy syndrome may be the most common cause of delayed pericardial effusion, followed by sepsis. Subxiphoid pericardial window is an adequate form of treatment. Recent literature reveals that occult cardiac injury is not uncommon, thus a case should be made to actively investigate all patients with precordial stab wounds with cardiac ultrasound or echocardiogram.