Annals of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery : official journal of the Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons of Asia
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Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg · Feb 2009
Comparative StudyIs prompt surgical treatment of an abdominal aortic aneurysm justified for someone in their eighties?
The aim of this study is to review the early and long-term results and quality of life after abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) surgery in octogenarians to justify our prompt surgical intervention. ⋯ AAA surgical treatment in octogenarians had comparable results with younger patients, in either elective or emergency settings. The extension of indications for AAA elective surgery in octogenarians might lead to a lower rate of emergency settings and subsequently to better early and late surgical outcomes.
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Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg · Feb 2009
Aniticoagulation in patients following prosthetic heart valve replacement.
To identify optimum international normalized ratio (INR) levels and required warfarin doses and anticoagulation-related complications in patients following mechanical prosthetic valve replacement. ⋯ Anticoagulation for mechanical heart valve replacement can be managed with INR levels of 2-2.5 with acceptable hemorrhagic and thromboembolic events.
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Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg · Feb 2009
Case ReportsSaphenous vein graft aneurysm after coronary artery bypass grafting.
Saphenous vein graft (SVG) aneurysms are an unusual but potentially fatal complication after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We report a case of multiple SVG aneurysms 23 years following CABG. Although the patient was on dialysis and had a poor left ventricular function, the aneurysms were successfully excised, and the ascending aorta was uneventfully replaced to be possible for percutaneous coronary intervention in the near future.
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Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg · Feb 2009
Case ReportsEpidural pneumatosis associated with pneumomediastinum occurring at rest.
We report a rare case of epidural pneumatosis associated with pneumomediastinum that occurred at rest. A 17-year-old male had spontaneously felt shortness of breath while attending class during the day. ⋯ CT also demonstrated subcutaneous emphysema extended into the epidural space through the intervertebral foramen. He exhibited a benign self-limited course.
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Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg · Dec 2008
Impact of obesity on early outcomes after cardiac surgery: experience in a Saudi Arabian center.
The prevalence of obesity is a public health concern in most countries, including Saudi Arabia. Obesity has been considered a major risk factor for adverse outcomes after cardiac surgery. ⋯ This study demonstrated that obesity does not increase the risk of death and most complications after cardiac surgery, aside from the unexplained increased risk of reoperation during the same admission.