Journal of cardiac surgery
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Case Reports
Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting and Transaortic Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.
We sought to demonstrate the effectiveness of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting and transcatheter aortic valve replacement in two patients with porcelain aortas and lesions that could not be optimally treated with percutaneous coronary intervention. Patients with aortic stenosis and coronary artery disease who are too high-risk for conventional surgical aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting due to comorbidities and porcelain aorta, and who do not have the appropriate anatomy for percutaneous coronary intervention should be considered for concomitant transcatheter aortic valve replacement and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12762 (J Card Surg 2016;31:435-438).
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The intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) can be used to bridge critically ill end-stage heart failure patients to left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. However, the IABP's potential association with hemorrhagic complications raises concerns regarding its utilization in these patients. ⋯ Long-term IABP support as a bridge to LVAD implantation is not associated with increased hemorrhagic complications post-LVAD implantation. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12759 (J Card Surg 2016;31:467-471).
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Case Reports
Endovascular Closure of an Aortic Pseudoaneurysm Complicated by Aorto-Pulmonary Fistula.
Aorto-pulmonary fistula (APF) due to an eroding pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta (AOP) is rare and can be life threatening. We report an 83-year-old male with multiple comorbidities who presented with an AOP, which was successfully treated with an endovascular exclusion device. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12758 (J Card Surg 2016;31:453-455).
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Surgical site infections (SSIs) occur in 1% to 4% of cardiac surgery patients and are associated with significantly reduced survival. The present study evaluated trends in the incidence and bacteriology of SSIs before and after the implementation of an antimicrobial stewardship program. ⋯ Despite changes in antibiotic prophylaxis duration and postoperative skin treatment, our data demonstrate a stable incidence and composition of surgical wound infections during the study period. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12756 (J Card Surg 2016;31:367-372).