Journal of cardiac surgery
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Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation can be done through several cannulation sites. Axillary artery cannulation is commonly performed through a Dacron graft sutured in an end-to-side fashion to the axillary artery. Direct cannulation of the axillary artery appears a reliable technique with low rate of complications. We report our experience in 16 patients using the direct cannulation technique.
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Differential release kinetics of cardiac biomarkers including brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), Troponin-I, and CK-MB following valve replacement (VR) are not well characterized. ⋯ Release kinetics of cardiac biomarkers is significantly different following VR; BNP levels increase following an initial transient decline. Only BNP was a predictor of postoperative variables.
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Severe lung injury with the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a serious complication of cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, risk factors, and mortality of ARDS following cardiac surgery. ⋯ ARDS remains a serious, but very rare complication associated with significant mortality. In our study, previous cardiac surgery, complex cardiac surgery, and more than three transfusions of PRBC were independent predictors for the development of ARDS.
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Herein, we present a patient who underwent successful repair of failed mitral valve repair in whom intraoperative 3D transesophageal echocardiography provided accurate assessment of the mechanism of mitral regurgitation. In addition, we review the potential advantages and limitations of 3D echocardiography and its role in cardiac surgery.
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Lower gastrointestinal complications are rare after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). However, if they occur, they are associated with a high mortality. Endothelin (ET) expression and microcirculatory dysfunction have been shown to be involved in a variety of diseases of the lower gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to analyze whether CPB with or without additional vasopressin administration affects the rectosigmoidal mucosal microcirculation and whether this involves the ET system. ⋯ CPB does not significantly affect rectosigmoidal mucosal microcirculation; however, it upregulates ET-1, ETA , and ETB . Vasopressin blunts the CPB-induced elevation of ET-1, ETA , and ETB and induces rectosigmoidal mucosal ischemia during CPB.