European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Nov 2013
Chest-wall reconstruction in case of infection of the operative site: is there any interest in titanium rib osteosynthesis?
To describe the management of thoracic reconstructions in the presence of primary chest-wall infection (PCWI) or secondary deep chest-wall infection (SCWI), focussing on local tolerance of a titanium rib osteosynthesis system. ⋯ Titanium rib osteosynthesis is reliable in two complex and life-threatening situations: PCWIs and SCWIs. In combination with a flap, this allows rapid, reliable, rigid reconstruction of infected full-thickness chest-wall defects in a single-step procedure.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Oct 2013
Late effects of radial artery vs saphenous vein grafting for multivessel coronary bypass surgery in diabetics: a propensity-matched analysis.
To determine whether the use of the radial artery (RA) vs the saphenous vein (SV) as the second grafting conduit with the internal thoracic artery (ITA) confers a late-survival advantage in diabetes mellitus (DM). ⋯ Our analysis indicated that RA grafting confers a significant late-survival advantage and, thus, supports its liberal use in DM patients undergoing multivessel CABG.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Oct 2013
Is rheumatic aetiology a predictor of poor outcome in the current era of mitral valve repair? Contemporary long-term results of mitral valve repair in rheumatic heart disease.
Contemporary experience with mitral valve (MV) repair in the rheumatic population is limited. We aimed to examine the long-term outcomes of rheumatic MV repair, to identify the predictors of durability and to compare the repair for rheumatic and degenerative MVs. ⋯ The durability of MV repair for rheumatic disease in the current era has improved and is comparable with the outstanding durability of repairs for degenerative disease. Modifications of standard repair techniques, adherence to the importance of good leaflet coaptation and strict quality control with stringent use of intraoperative transoesophageal echocardiography have all contributed to the improved long-term results.