Asian cardiovascular & thoracic annals
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Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann · Oct 2014
Aortic valve reconstruction using autologous pericardium for ages over 80 years.
We performed original aortic valve reconstruction using autologous pericardium; the feasibility for elderly patients is reviewed. ⋯ Aortic valve reconstruction is feasible for patients older than 80 years, resulting in good hemodynamics and a better quality of life, without anticoagulation.
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Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann · Oct 2014
ReviewCoronary-pulmonary artery fistula in tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia.
Surgical correction of patients with tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia is now one of the routine procedures performed by pediatric cardiac surgeons. In one variant, the pulmonary arterial supply is derived from a fistulous communication from the coronary arteries. This rare and interesting situation poses a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma, as well as providing specific management challenges to the surgical team. Here, we discuss important aspects of this rare variant, specifically its morphology, presentation, evaluation and management.
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Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann · Oct 2014
Comparative StudyValvular repair or replacement for mitral endocarditis: 7-year cohort study.
A few studies have compared mitral valve repair and replacement in the setting of infective endocarditis, with varying results. We compared the characteristics and outcomes of mitral repair and replacement in endocarditis patients. ⋯ Mitral valve replacement candidates had more baseline risk factors and higher raw rates of postoperative mortality and morbidity, which did not reach statistical significance.
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Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann · Oct 2014
Case ReportsDirect aortic transcatheter valve implantation in a porcelain aorta.
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation has been designed to treat elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis at high risk for surgery, and is generally performed retrogradely with vascular access. However, in certain patients, this access is either not possible or deemed to carry a high risk of vascular injury. We report our experience of a direct aortic approach in a 78-year old man with severe aortic stenosis, excluded from standard aortic valve replacement due to a porcelain aorta, and affected by severe aortic, iliac-femoral, and subclavian arteriopathy, rendering the transfemoral or subclavian approach unemployable.
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Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann · Oct 2014
Continuity of care by cardiothoracic nurse practitioners: impact on outcome.
There have been recent reports on increased mortality in British National Health Service hospitals during weekends. This study aimed to assess the impact on patient care following the introduction of nurse practitioner cover for the cardiothoracic ward, including weekends. ⋯ The introduction of the nurse practitioner grade to provide continuity in patient care including at weekends has been confirmed to improve patient outcomes including survival after cardiac surgery.