European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jun 2009
Thymectomy in myasthenia gravis via original video-assisted infra-mammary cosmetic incision and median sternotomy: long-term results in 180 patients.
The clinical outcome of 180 non-thymomatous myasthenia gravis (MG) consecutive cases surgically treated is reported herein. The original surgical access, consisting of a video-assisted infra-mammary cosmetic incision and median sternotomy, has originally been designed and described by our group. ⋯ Thymectomy in MG patients via video-assisted infra-mammary cosmetic incision and median sternotomy has shown to be a useful surgical approach as demonstrated by the good functional and very good aesthetic results, associated with a very low morbidity and no mortality. Patients with preoperative mono-therapy have higher CSR rates. CSRs are durable, as the CSR rate improves with extended follow-up.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jun 2009
Extra-corporeal life support following cardiac surgery in children: analysis of risk factors and survival in a single institution.
Application of extra-corporeal life support (ECLS) following pediatric cardiac surgery varies between different institutions based on manpower availability and philosophy towards ECLS utilization. We examined a large single institution experience with postoperative ECLS in children aiming to identify outcome predictors. ⋯ ECLS plays a valuable role in children with low cardiac output state following cardiac surgery. More than one third of those patients, including young neonates, older children, patients with single ventricle, or those requiring rescue ECMO can be salvaged. Although prognosis worsens with prolonged ECLS duration, survival can be noted up to 16 days of support. Heart transplantation is often an important ECLS exit strategy and should be considered early in selected children. Patients' survival could improve if renal and neurological complications are avoided.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jun 2009
Case ReportsCompletely asymptomatic proximal aortic dissection and massive bullous lung disease: coincidence or is there any etiologic link?
This case report focuses on a completely asymptomatic proximal aortic dissection in a middle-aged male smoker with bullous lung disease. The possibility of a relationship between A1-antitrypsin (A1AT) deficiency and aortic dissection is discussed in light of the recent data.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jun 2009
Case ReportsSurgical repair of coronary artery to pulmonary artery fistula with aneurysms.
A 58-year-old female was referred to our hospital with an abnormal shadow on her chest X-ray. Further examination revealed the left anterior descending coronary artery to pulmonary artery fistula with aneurysms. The patient was successfully repaired with operation and had no residual fistulas and aneurysms.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jun 2009
Minimally invasive off-pump valve-in-a-ring implantation: the atrial transcatheter approach for re-operative mitral valve replacement after failed repair.
Based upon recent developments in transcatheter technology, this study was designed to evaluate the feasibility and haemodynamic performance of transcatheter valve-in-a-ring (VinR) implantation for potentially failed mitral repair using a minimally invasive, transatrial, off-pump approach. ⋯ Transatrial, transcatheter mitral VinR implantation is feasible using a minimally invasive off-pump approach. VinR implantation is a promising concept for re-operative surgery for selected patients after failed mitral valve repair.