European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jul 1997
Aortic root replacement with human tissue valves in aortic valve endocarditis.
Aortic allograft and pulmonary autograft aortic root replacement in native and prosthetic aortic valve endocarditis are evaluated and risk factors for hospital death are assessed by univariate risk factor analysis. ⋯ Allograft aortic root replacement is a valuable technique in the life threatening situations both of native and prosthetic aortic valve endocarditis with involvement of the annular and peri-annular region.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jul 1997
LetterEmergent axial computed tomography in the diagnosis and management of blunt thoracic trauma.
The purpose of our retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of chest computed tomography (CCT) in comparison with conventional chest X-ray (CXR) in diagnosis and management of acute blunt trauma patients.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jul 1997
Comparative StudyThoracotomy and thoracoscopy: postoperative pulmonary function, pain and chest wall complaints.
Two different surgical accesses combined with standard pain management procedures are compared regarding early and intermediate pulmonary function and pain relief. ⋯ Post-thoracotomy pain can be effectively controlled with epidural analgesia and pain intensity is no higher than in patients after thoracoscopy who are managed with patient controlled analgesia. FVC is slightly more decreased after thoracotomy during the early postoperative period. FVC and FEV 1 approach the predicted values after four months in both groups. The rate of persistent pain is similar after thoracoscopy and thoracotomy.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jul 1997
Case ReportsAneurysm of aberrant right subclavian [corrected] artery arising from diverticulum of Kommerell. Report of a case with tracheal compression.
A 74-year-old woman presented with severe dyspnea without dysphagia. Computed tomographic scans and Digital subtraction angiography revealed the left aortic arch with an aberrant right subclavian artery arising from the Kommerell's diverticulum and tracheal compression. The aortic arch and the Kommerell's diverticulum were aneurysmal and were responsible for this compression. Surgical relief was accomplished by replacement of the aortic arch and reconstruction of the four brachiocephalic vessels with vascular prostheses through a median sternotomy incision extending into the right supraclavicular region.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jul 1997
Predictors of early and overall outcome in coronary artery bypass without cardiopulmonary bypass.
Cardiopulmonary bypass in coronary artery bypass graft operations may adversely affect the outcome especially in high-risk patients. The purpose of this study is to evaluate results of coronary artery bypass performed without cardiopulmonary bypass, in a relatively high-risk cohort, and to identify predictors of unfavorable outcome. ⋯ Coronary artery bypass grafting without cardiopulmonary bypass can be performed with relatively low operative mortality in certain high-risk subgroups of patients; however, an increased risk of graft occlusion is a potential disadvantage. This procedure should therefore be considered only for patients with suitable coronary anatomy, in whom cardiopulmonary bypass poses a high risk. Although the risk of stroke is relatively low, the procedure is still hazardous for patients aged 70 years and over.