European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Apr 2008
Transcranial motor-evoked potentials following intra-aortic cold blood infusion facilitates detection of critical supplying artery of spinal cord.
In order to determine whether critical intercostal artery is present in the aneurysm during descending thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic surgery, changes of transcranial motor-evoked potentials (Tc-MEPs) were monitored following infusion of cold blood into the aorta as an adjunct 'on-site assessment'. Accuracy of this method was evaluated. ⋯ Cold blood infusion into the clamped segment of aorta accelerates Tc-MEPs changes and can possibly reduce ischemic insults of spinal cord during diagnostic process, while it accurately detects presence of critical intercostal artery in the segment. This method appears to be promising adjunct on-site assessment.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Apr 2008
Prediction of cognitive dysfunction and patients' outcome following valvular heart surgery and the role of cerebral oximetry.
Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) commonly develops after cardiac surgery affecting patients' outcome. Cerebral oximetry noninvasively measures regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO(2)) and significant correlation has been reported between intraoperative cerebral desaturation and POCD, as well as patients' outcome following coronary artery bypass grafting. However, evidence is limited in valvular heart surgery (VHS). We investigated the relationship of intraoperative rSO(2) values with POCD and length of postoperative hospitalization in patients undergoing VHS. ⋯ In patients undergoing VHS, POCD could not be predicted with cerebral oximetry. However, patients with intraoperative cerebral desaturation required significantly longer postoperative hospitalization and cerebral oximetry appears to be promising in terms of monitoring the brain as the index organ for systemic perfusion and improving patients' outcome.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Apr 2008
Non-surgical bleeding in patients with ventricular assist devices could be explained by acquired von Willebrand disease.
Outcomes after ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation have significantly improved during the last decade. However, bleeding episodes remain a serious complication of VAD support. This cannot be explained by the individual anticoagulation regimen alone in several cases, but may be symptomatic of acquired von Willebrand disease (VWD). The leading finding in acquired VWD (AVWD) is the loss of large multimers which results in diminished binding to collagen and to the platelets. We, therefore, analysed patients with two VAD types for laboratory parameters of VWD and compared them with patients after heart transplantation (HTX). ⋯ Non-surgical postoperative bleeding after VAD implantation could be explained by an AVWD. Several pharmacologic treatment options (tranexamic acid, desmopressin, VWF-factor VIII concentrate, recombinant factor VIIa) may arise from our data. Improved VAD design could prevent this problem in the future.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Apr 2008
Truly stentless molded autologous pericardial aortic valve prosthesis with single point attached commissures in a sheep model.
Aortic valve cusp extension and free-hand aortic valve replacement with autologous pericardium has been described. The long-term results were shown to be comparable with commercially available aortic bioprostheses. Nevertheless the relatively demanding surgical technique could not find wide acceptance. We developed a new design of a molded aortic valve, fashioned from autologous pericardium, treated briefly with glutaraldehyde, and simplified the implantation technique using single point attached commissures (SPAC). ⋯ This new truly stentless molded autologous aortic valve with simplified implantation technique (SPAC) makes a reliable implantation in a standard timeframe possible. The simplicity of construction, low cost and absent need for anticoagulation of this molded autologous aortic bioprosthesis offers an attractive alternative and not only for patients in the developing world.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Apr 2008
Improving the outcome of high-risk neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome: hybrid procedure or conventional surgical palliation?
Despite significant progress, surgical outcome for high-risk patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) remain suboptimal. The hybrid palliation lessens the initial operative insult and is expected to improve overall survival; however the outcome of this management sequence is unknown. ⋯ Regardless of the type of initial palliation, high-risk neonates with HLHS continue to have decreased survival. Although the hybrid approach reduces the initial surgical insult, important interstage mortality and ongoing morbidity result in survival no different than with conventional surgical palliation.