Cardiology in the young
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Cardiology in the young · Apr 2004
Comparative StudyWhat was the impact of the introduction of extracardiac completion for a single center performing total cavopulmonary connections?
Creation of an extracardiac cavopulmonary connection has been proposed as a superior alternative to the lateral intracardiac tunnel for the completion of total cavopulmonary connection. ⋯ Whereas we could not identify any clinical superiority for the extracardiac approach in the short-term, the concept of extracardiac completion has helped to simplify the overall procedure. Longer follow-up will be required to elucidate any potential advantages.
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Cardiology in the young · Apr 2004
Psychological functioning in parents of children undergoing elective cardiac surgery.
To assess levels of distress, the marital relationship, and styles of coping of parents of children with congenital heart disease, to evaluate any change in these parameters following elective cardiac surgery for their child, and to compare these parents with parents of children undergoing another form of hospital treatment, and with parents of healthy children. ⋯ Despite elevated levels of psychological distress prior to surgical procedures, which had fallen after one year, the stability of other parameters of parental functioning over time suggests that the surgical interventions are of less significance than either factors attributable to the presence of chronic illness, or the individual characteristics of the parents.