European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
-
Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Nov 2011
Re-operations on the proximal thoracic aorta: results and predictors of short- and long-term mortality in a series of 174 patients.
The aim of this study was to report results and to identify predictors of hospital and long-term mortality in patients undergoing re-operations on the proximal thoracic aorta. ⋯ Short- and long-term survival was satisfactory being excellent in patients with degenerative aneurysms and dismal in those with active endocarditis. Extensive aortic resections did not increase hospital mortality and were associated with a reduced need for aortic re-interventions. CPB time remains the most important risk factor for reduced survival in aortic surgery.
-
Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Nov 2011
Open chest management after cardiac operations: outcome and timing of delayed sternal closure.
Open chest management (OCM) after cardiac surgery is a therapeutic option in the treatment of the severely impaired heart. The aim of this study was the evaluation of the incidence, survival and predictors of poor outcome for OCM with delayed sternal closure (DSC), particularly with regard to parameters to determine the time of closure. ⋯ With our results, we could demonstrate OCM to be a beneficial, therapeutic option in patients with postoperative LCOS, massive hemorrhage or significant arrhythmias with hemodynamic compromise. However, patients with re-operation for bleeding, need for VAD and particularly a prolonged delay before sternal closure continued to have a poor outcome.