The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jul 1997
The modified Blalock-Taussig shunt: clinical impact and morbidity in Fallot's tetralogy in the current era.
The Blalock-Taussig shunt is considered a low-risk management option for palliation in tetralogy of Fallot, but the morbidity associated with a Blalock-Taussig shunt can have a significant impact on patient care. We reviewed the outcome for this operation in the current era. ⋯ Pulmonary artery hypoplasia and angiographic evidence of pulmonary artery distortion are common after initial palliation by a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt. Neonatal palliation was associated with significantly smaller pulmonary arteries before repair, which necessitated additional interventions.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jul 1997
Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical TrialLow-dose amiodarone-related complications after cardiac operations.
High-dose preoperative amiodarone therapy has been implicated as a risk factor for serious complications after cardiac operations. To investigate the effect of preoperative low-dose amiodarone treatment on early postoperative outcome after cardiac operations, we prospectively studied 88 patients. ⋯ Preoperative low-dose amiodarone therapy does not seem to be related to significant postoperative lung toxicity, but it is associated with various cardiac complications and an increased need for more intense inotropic support after cardiac operations. These findings may be related to the drug's depressant effect on the myocardium.