European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · May 1997
Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting without cardiopulmonary bypass.
To determine the feasibility and the effectiveness of minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass without cardiopulmonary bypass (MICABG) in patients with left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery disease, we evaluated 90 consecutive patients who underwent MICABG at the University Hospital of Groningen. ⋯ These results indicate that MICABG is feasible and effective in patients with LAD stenosis and leads to a fast psycho-physical recovery.
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Clinical experience with a video-assisted coronary artery bypass grafting procedure using the internal mammary artery is reported. The technique consists of a videoscopic harvesting of the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to revascularise the left anterior descending artery (LAD) through a 4-cm left thoracotomy. ⋯ In conclusion, the efficiency of this minimally invasive approach should be prospectively compared with similar revascularisation with PTCA or surgical approaches using sternotomy with or without CPB.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · May 1997
Revascularization procedures in patients with transplant coronary artery disease.
To assess the efficacy of revascularization in cardiac transplant patients who developed de novo coronary artery disease. ⋯ It appears that revascularization procedures can be effective in patients with coronary artery disease after cardiac transplantation and that coronary angioplasty or atherectomy would be a therapy of choice for single proximal lesions. CABG should be used cautiously and only reserved for patients with multi-vessel disease without hypertrophy. Laser revascularization with or without bypass grafting has potential to become the therapy of choice for transplant coronary artery disease.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · May 1997
Circulatory support with paracorporeal pneumatic ventricular assist device (VAD) in infants and children.
The feasibility and efficacy of the pneumatic 'Berlin Heart' ventricular assist device (VAD) were evaluated in 14 pediatric patients with profound cardiogenic shock refractory to conventional therapy. ⋯ The 'Berlin Heart' VAD can keep selected infants and children with life-threatening heart failure for weeks or months.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · May 1997
Donor-specific cytotoxic lymphocyte activity from bronchoalveolar lavage during acute canine lung allograft rejection.
We investigated the relationship between acute lung rejection and donor-specific cytotoxic activity (DSCA) in recipient's lymphocytes obtained from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). ⋯ There is a direct relationship between the DSCA in BAL fluid and the degree of tissue damage caused by acute rejection. The DSCA can be detected by a 51Cr release assay which may hold promise for future clinical applications.