Journal of cardiac surgery
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Vascular access in children who require extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support can be a challenging endeavor particularly in those who have undergone prior median sternotomies or interventional procedures. We present an alternative cannulation strategy that can be utilized in pediatric patients requiring ECMO that involves utilization of the iliac vein via a retroperitoneal approach.
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We present three patients with severe respiratory failure secondary to H1N1 influenza type A pneumonitis, in whom hypercapnia and respiratory acidosis were not controlled by the conventional mechanical lung ventilation or high-frequency oscillatory ventilation. Use of a pumpless arteriovenous extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal device (Novalung™, Inspiration Healthcare Ltd, Leicester, UK) resulted in reduced carbon dioxide levels, improved pH, and a reduction in inspiratory pressures, allowing for a less-harmful ventilator strategy. These cases demonstrate that the Novalung is a safe and effective device to use in patients with H1N1 pneumonitis refractory to the conventional therapy and may be an alternative to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in selected cases.
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Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) with Amplatzer septal/duct occluder (ASO/ADO) is an established, safe, and efficient procedure with high success. However, device embolization remains a major complication requiring immediate intervention (either percutaneous or surgical) for retrieval and correction of the heart defect. The aim of this study is to share the experience of managing embolized ASO/ADO. ⋯ Careful consideration should be given to surgical or transcatheter closure of a heart defect. Life-threatening complications although rare can occur. Our experience strongly suggests that these devices should only be inserted in facilities where cardiac surgical support is immediately available.
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Case Reports
Repair of an ascending aortic aneurysm using reduction aortoplasty in a Jehovah's Witness.
Reduction ascending aortoplasty has been advocated as a possible alternative to traditional graft replacement for treatment of aneurysms of the ascending aorta and root. We report a case of a 58-year-old Jehovah's Witness female, with a 5.5-cm ascending aortic aneurysm and critical aortic stenosis. She underwent aortic valve replacement and reduction aortoplasty buttressed with a Dacron graft. We reviewed the history and contemporary applications of this technique and concluded that aortic reduction with externally supported aortoplasty may represent a viable option to treat Jehovah's Witness patients with ascending aorta and root aneurysm.
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Case Reports
A modified technique of left ventricular restoration: endoventricular spiral plication.
We describe a modified technique of left ventricular restoration after anterior myocardial infarction, referred to as endoventricular spiral plication (ESP). This technique was designed for surgical ventricular restoration with a modified spiral stitch and no patch plasty. A continuous spiral stitch can reconstruct the left ventricular shape both at the short and long axis, and appropriate restoration can be achieved by adjusting the tension of the string and the degree of spiral rotation.