European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Aug 2013
Effect of annulus dimension and annuloplasty on bicuspid aortic valve repair.
We have recently shown that valve sparing reimplantation (VSR) improves the durability of bicuspid aortic valve repair in comparison with subcommissural annuloplasty. The aim of this study was to assess the degree of annular reduction provided by these techniques and to correlate these findings with repair durability. ⋯ In bicuspid aortic valve repair, the circumferential annuloplasty of VSR offers greater reduction of VAJ compared with the non-circumferential annuloplasty provided by the subcommissural annuloplasty. The degree and extent of VAJ reduction in reimplantation seem to be factors among others that positively influence repair durability particularly in patients with a large VAJ (≥ 30 mm).
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Aug 2013
Clinical outcomes of emergency surgery for acute type B aortic dissection with rupture.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of emergency surgery for acute type B aortic dissection with rupture and to compare results between open surgery and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). ⋯ TEVAR for acute type B aortic dissection with rupture could be performed with relatively low morbidity and mortality, with no significant difference when compared with open surgery. The main objective of TEVAR for acute type B aortic dissection with rupture is control of bleeding, which can be achieved by closing the primary entry site and the secondary tear site in the descending thoracic aorta. If anatomically feasible and performed immediately, TEVAR is the treatment of choice for acute type B aortic dissection with rupture because it is less invasive than open surgery.
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Minimally invasive hybrid revascularization (MIHR) by means of the left mammary artery on the left anterior descending artery [minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB)] combined with percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) stenting may be an alternative to conventional coronary artery bypass grafting through sternotomy or multiple PCI. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively evaluate the long-term outcomes of this strategy. ⋯ Our 13-year experience with MIDCAB demonstrates that the operation is safe and associated with a very low incidence of early and late complications. The hybrid approach provided excellent long-term outcome in terms of freedom from cardiac death and reoperation. Accurate patient selection, as well the timing of the hybrid procedure, is mandatory to optimize surgical and PCI results.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Aug 2013
Should aortic arch replacement be performed during initial surgery for aortic root aneurysm in patients with Marfan syndrome?
The aim of this study was to investigate whether total arch replacement (TAR) during initial surgery for root aneurysm should be routinely performed in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS). ⋯ MFS patients undergoing elective root repair have small risk of reinterventions on the aortic arch, and primary prophylactic replacement does not seem to be justified. In patients with AAD, the need for reinterventions is precipitated by the dissection itself and not by limiting the procedure to the hemi-arch replacement in the emergency setting. Limiting surgery to the aortic root, ascending aorta and proximal aortic arch is associated with low mortality in MFS patients presenting with AAD.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Aug 2013
Implantable left ventricular assist devices as initial therapy for refractory postmyocardial infarction cardiogenic shock.
Recently, the initial therapy for refractory cardiogenic shock has largely been based on use of short-term mechanical devices with later conversion to durable options. The premise is that such patients cannot tolerate cardiopulmonary bypass and the extended surgery needed for implantable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) placement. We have adopted an alternative strategy to implant long-term LVADs as the initial device therapy in such patients. ⋯ Our data challenge the notion that patients in refractory cardiogenic shock are too ill to tolerate immediate placement of implantable LVADs. Despite the surgical challenges, a one-stop implantable LVAD approach for cardiogenic shock is feasible and may offer unique advantages over the bridge-to-bridge approach because it avoids the incremental costs, hospitalization and morbidity associated with repeated interventions.