Journal of cardiac surgery
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Blood transfusion carries benefits and risks. Adult cardiac surgery accounts for a significant proportion of all red blood cells transfusions. However, the identification of the patient, who will truly benefit from transfusions, is still controversial. This review provides an overview on allogenic blood transfusions in adult cardiac surgery.
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Case Reports
Radiofrequency ablation under extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for atrial tachycardia in postpartum.
Tachycardia-mediated cardiomyopathy associated with cardiogenic shock is a rare but well-known entity. We report an unusual case of cardiogenic shock with atrial tachycardia in postpartum; the patient underwent successful radiofrequency ablation under extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Radiofrequency ablation is usually used to treat this clinical situation. The use of ECMO has been described only in pediatric case.
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As the number of heart failure patients supported with left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) increases, the frequency of elective, noncardiac surgery in this patient population will similarly rise. We retrospectively analyzed our LVAD patient database and identified six patients who underwent elective, noncardiac surgery while on LVAD support. These cases are discussed, with an emphasis on the anesthetic and perioperative considerations. These patients have an acceptable risk profile for elective surgery and should be treated similarly to their age-matched counterparts not on LVAD support.
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Case Reports
Aberrant left subclavian artery associated with a Kommerell's diverticulum and a left-sided aortic arch.
Kommerell's diverticulum is most commonly associated with either an aberrant left subclavian artery from a right-sided aortic arch or an aberrant right subclavian artery from a left-sided aortic arch. We describe an exceedingly rare case of an aberrant left subclavian artery arising from a Kommerell's diverticulum in a patient with a left-sided aortic arch, the "nonaberrant aberrant left subclavian artery."
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We describe a technique that implants a rigid tricuspid annuloplasty ring over a previously inserted flexible ring for the treatment of recurrent tricuspid regurgitation. This technique avoids the trauma associated with the excision of a flexible ring in patients with friable annular tissue.