J Cardiovasc Surg
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Most endovascular stent-grafts in endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) are designed to deploy from the renal artery level down to the iliac level. The Powerlink device (Endologix Inc, Irvine, Calif) can be deployed from the iliac level up to the renal artery level. The aim of this study was to summarize our clinical experience of EVAR using the Powerlink device. ⋯ Results from multiple clinical trials and our clinical practice proved that the Powerlink device is simple to implant, effective to endovascular repair, durable to mid- and long-term follow up. The implanting technique of combination of an anatomically-fixed unibody Powerlink device and proximal extension sealing leads to a superior outcome, even in challenging anatomy cases deemed unsuitable for endovascular repair. With this intuitive approach, migration and the associated sequelae were virtually eliminated.
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The aim of this paper was to evaluate the results in patients from the religious community of Jehovah's Witnesses (JW) undergoing open heart surgery. ⋯ The decrease of hematocrit serum levels is significantly characterizing the postoperative period of open heart surgery in JW. In patients undergoing CABG without CPB and in patients undergoing isolated valve replacement, decrease of hematocrit serum levels was lowest. Therefore, these techniques should be considered for first choice when appropriate. Furthermore, highly normal preoperative hematocrit serum levels and a meticulous surgical technique remain the mainstay of therapy in these patients.
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Outcomes after surgery for acute type A aortic dissection in the octogenarian are controversial. To analyze this issue further, the authors reviewed their experience in the hope of finding ways to improve results in these high-risk patients. ⋯ Surgery for acute type A aortic dissection in the octogenarian shows high hospital mortality but satisfactory long-term survival among discharged patients. A less aggressive approach should increase the outcomes of surgically managed patients.