European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Dec 2005
The ideal theoretical graft oversizing in valve-sparing aortic operations with a standard tubular or a Valsalva graft.
We sought to determine, by a mathematical model, the ideal theoretical degree of ascending aortic graft oversizing needed to obtain normal sinuses dimension in the reimplantation type of valve-sparing aortic operations. ⋯ A less pronounced graft oversizing is needed to achieve normal-range sinuses size when using a Valsalva graft, the ideal theoretical graft oversizing was +7mm for a standard graft and +3mm for the Valsalva graft, our normograms can be helpful in selecting a proper graft size when performing a valve-sparing aortic procedure.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Dec 2005
Myocardial protection with intermittent cross-clamp fibrillation: does preconditioning play a role?
Previously, we showed intermittent cross-clamp fibrillation afforded equivalent protection to cardioplegia. This study examined whether protection induced by intermittent cross-clamp fibrillation involves an ischemic preconditioning mechanism. ⋯ The cardioprotective efficacy of intermittent cross-clamp fibrillation was attenuated by protein kinase C inhibition or K(ATP)-channel blockade. Involvement of these putative preconditioning cascade components in association with cardioprotection induced by intermittent cross-clamp fibrillation, suggests a role for the ischemic preconditioning mechanism.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Dec 2005
Editorial CommentOld skills in a new context. But do we want to use it?