The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · May 1986
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialNifedipine as an adjunct to St. Thomas' Hospital cardioplegia. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial.
The cardioprotective effect of the addition of the slow calcium-channel blocker nifedipine to cardioplegic solution was tested in two double-blind placebo controlled randomized studies. The first study included 24 patients undergoing aortic-coronary bypass grafting, and the second included 24 patients undergoing aortic valve replacement. Nifedipine at a dose of 200 micrograms/L or placebo was added to St. ⋯ In conclusion, ischemia-induced degradation of nucleotides as it occurs when myocardial cooling is inadequate can be prevented by the addition of nifedipine to the St. Thomas' Hospital cardioplegic solution. This effect, however, is not associated with an improved clinical outcome.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · May 1986
Costs and results of cardiac operations in infants less than 4 months old. Are they worthwhile?
From 1979 through 1983, 328 of 1,388 pediatric cardiac operations involved patients undergoing their first procedure at less than 4 months of age. Of these, 220 patients had 265 nonductal procedures, and their case histories are reviewed for results and total hospital cost. Initial operative mortality was 20% (43 patients). ⋯ Mortality was higher in patients with a lower weight at operation. Separation into distinct fiscal cost groups is not reasonable in this series. Because most survivors are in normal or optimized cardiac health, intensive cardiovascular care in this population is justified.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · May 1986
Case ReportsThe Damus-Stansel-Kaye procedure. Should the aortic valve or subaortic valve region be closed?
Two patients (one with transposition of the great arteries and another with Taussig-Bing anomaly) underwent the Damus-Stansel-Kaye procedure (Group I). Significant aortic valve insufficiency developed postoperatively in both patients. In contrast, seven patients with a univentricular heart and subaortic stenosis from a variety of reasons underwent creation of an aortopulmonary window (Group II), a procedure very similar to the proximal main pulmonary artery-aortic root anastomosis of the Damus-Stansel-Kaye procedure. ⋯ In Group II patients, the aortic valve structures face a small, thick-walled chamber. The orientation of the aortic valve vis-a-vis the right ventricle changed postoperatively in Group I but not in Group II patients. Our experience suggests that the aortic valve or subaortic valve region should be closed at the initial repair in patients with low pulmonary vascular resistance who are undergoing the Damus-Stansel-Kaye procedure, to minimize the need for reoperation for aortic valve insufficiency.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · May 1986
Case ReportsLong-term results after Fontan procedure and its modifications.
The Fontan procedure is an effective method of treatment for patients with tricuspid atresia, univentricular heart, and other complex lesions. Modifications of the Fontan procedure have been developed to treat various anatomic malformations. From 1975 to 1984, 31 patients (17 male and 14 female) have undergone 35 Fontan operations. ⋯ The hemodynamic ventricular parameters were within the normal range. We conclude that in patients with tricuspid atresia, univentricular heart, and other complex cardiac lesions, inactivating the right ventricular pump function by means of the Fontan procedure does not adversely affect the systemic ventricle. Although the response to exercise was abnormal, the clinical condition of these patients was good to excellent.