J Cardiovasc Surg
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Ingested sharp-pointed foreign bodies can cause serious complications. A case of a 16-year-old girl with cardiac tamponade due to ingestion of a sewing needle is presented. Ingested needles have often been reported as a cause of gastrointestinal injuries but in this rare case the sewing needle actually migrated into the myocardium.
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Comparative Study
Cerebral vasoreactivity does not predict cerebral ischaemia during carotid endarterectomy.
Assessment of cerebrovasoreactivity (CVR), obtained by transcranial Doppler (TCD) and the acetazolamide test to predict cases requiring selective carotid shunting on the basis of neurologic monitoring. ⋯ The present study, which employed neurologic monitoring as the method of comparison, did not prove that CVR, as calculated by TCD and the acetazolamide test, is a valid preoperative test for predicting cerebral ischaemia caused by carotid clamping.
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Comparative Study
Is early hospital discharge feasible following normothermic coronary artery surgery on the fibrillating heart?
Protocols for the earlier discharge of cardiac surgical patients are gaining popularity. We present our experience with an early hospital discharge policy following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on the fibrillating heart. ⋯ Early discharge after CABG with ventricular fibrillation is achievable, comparable to "fast-track techniques" without the use of CPB and is not associated with higher re-admission rates. We recommend the routine use of this protocol in all patients undergoing primary elective CABG.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Mininvasive abdominal aortic surgery. Early recovery and reduced hospitalization after multidisciplinary approach.
Clinical experience in gastrointestinal surgery demonstrated that a multimodal approach can improve the outcome and reduce the length of hospital stay. In this paper we investigate the impact of a multimodal clinical program, based on mininvasive surgery, epidural anesthesia and early feeding and mobilization, on postoperative morbidity and hospitalization after abdominal aortic surgery. ⋯ These results suggest that a multidisciplinary intervention with review of the traditional surgical care program would enhance recovery, decrease morbidity and hospitalization after abdominal aortic surgery.
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Comparative Study
Midterm experience with the Sorin Bicarbon heart valve prosthesis for rheumatic disease.
In this study, we present a single center experience with Bicarbon bileaflet valve in 307 patients with rheumatic heart disease. ⋯ We have presented our mid-term results with the Sorin Bicarbon bileaflet valve in patients with rheumatic heart disease, which provided good clinical performance combined with meticulous patient care and advanced surgical techniques.