J Cardiovasc Surg
-
Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Primary closure of deep sternal wound infection following open heart surgery: a safe operation?
Deep median sternotomy wound infection is a significant source of morbidity and mortality after cardiac operations. Management of an infected median sternotomy incision is a subject of controversy. The aim of this study was to assess our experience with primary closure without any irrigation system for infected deep median sternotomy wound. ⋯ Mediastinitis after cardiac surgical procedures remains a devastating complication. Primary closure without irrigation-suction system should only be considered in selected patients.
-
Comparative Study
"Mosaic" medtronic bioprosthetic valve replacement clinical results and hemodynamical performance.
We report the mid-term results of a prospective trial of a new bioprosthetic valve. The Mosaic bioprosthesis consists of porcine aortic valve that has been cross linked ed in glutaraldehyde solution under zero-pressure fixation and treated with alpha amino oleic acid to reduce the potential for calcification. ⋯ The valve was user friendly. The early results are very satisfactory. Echocardiography measurements after aortic valve replacement are showing very marked late postoperative remodelling of left ventricle. After mitral valve replacement there were exceptionally low transvalvular gradients, no left ventricle outflow tract obstruction.
-
Although rare, aortobronchial fistula complicates thoracic aortic surgery. Correct diagnosis and the infectious nature of the lesion are the most important conditions to define, for the following best therapy. ⋯ In the case of infection our policy is homograft replacement. Computed tomography, being able to make diagnosis, should be performed as the initial technique.