The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · May 1995
Clinical TrialLong-term results of valve replacement with the St. Jude Medical prosthesis.
To assess with truly long follow-up the long-term results of valve replacement with the St. Jude Medical prosthesis (St. Jude Medical, Inc., St. ⋯ We conclude that, because of its low thrombogenicity, low incidence of valve-related events, and low valve-related mortality, the St. Jude Medical valve is one of the best performing mechanical prosthesis currently available. Nevertheless, the late valve-related complications and deaths illustrate that the quest for a "perfect" prosthesis remains unfulfilled.
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Successful management of chronic postoperative bronchopleural fistula remains a challenge for thoracic surgeons. Forty-two patients (33 referred from other institutions) were treated for major postoperative bronchopleural fistula since 1978. Factors associated with bronchopleural fistula included right pneumonectomy (n = 23), left pneumonectomy (n = 8), long bronchial stump (n = 16), pneumonia (n = 13), radiation therapy (n = 12), stapled bronchial closure (n = 8), prolonged mechanical ventilation (n = 7), recurrent carcinoma (n = 6), and tuberculosis (n = 2). ⋯ Ten patients required a total of 17 Clagett procedures and one had a delayed myoplasty. Direct surgical repair of chronic bronchopleural fistula may be achieved in most patients after adequate pleural drainage by suture closure and aggressive transposition of vascularized pedicle flaps. Omentum is particularly effective in buttressing the closure of bronchopleural fistulas.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · May 1995
Midline one-stage complete unifocalization and repair of pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect and major aortopulmonary collaterals.
Traditionally patients with pulmonary atresia, ventricular septal defect, diminutive or absent central pulmonary arteries, and multiple aortopulmonary collaterals have been managed by staged procedures necessitating multiple operations. We have taken a different approach to this lesion. Between August 1992 and March 1994, ten patients aged 1.43 months to 37.34 years (median 2.08 years) at the severe end of the morphologic spectrum of this lesion underwent a one-stage complete unifocalization and repair from a midline sternotomy approach. ⋯ One other patient underwent balloon dilation of the reconstructed right pulmonary artery, with a good result. All survivors (9/10) are clinically doing well. This approach establishes normal cardiovascular physiology early in life, eliminates the need for multiple systemic-pulmonary artery shunts and use of prosthetic material, and minimizes the number of operations required.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Apr 1995
Modified ultrafiltration improves cerebral metabolic recovery after circulatory arrest.
Modified ultrafiltration uses hemofiltration of the patient and bypass circuit after separation from cardiopulmonary bypass to reverse hemodilution and edema. This study investigated the effect of modified ultrafiltration on cerebral metabolic recovery after deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. Twenty-six 1-week-old piglets (2 to 3 kg) were supported by cardiopulmonary bypass (37 degrees C) at 100 ml.kg-1.min-1 and cooled to 18 degrees C. ⋯ Ninety minutes of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest resulted in impaired cerebral metabolic oxygen consumption (ml.100 gm-1.min-1) at point III in the control group (1.95 +/- 0.15 versus 2.47 +/- 0.07, p < 0.05) and transfusion group (1.72 +/- 0.10 versus 2.39 +/- 0.15, p < 0.05). After modified ultrafiltration, however, cerebral metabolic oxygen consumption at point III had increased significantly from baseline (3.12 +/- 0.24 versus 2.48 +/- 0.13, p < 0.05), indicating that the decrease in cerebral metabolism immediately after deep hypothermic circulatory arrest is reversible and may not represent permanent cerebral injury. Use of modified ultrafiltration after cardiopulmonary bypass may reduce brain injury associated with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Apr 1995
The Norwood operation and subsequent Fontan operation in infants with complex congenital heart disease.
From April 1987 to September 1993, 60 infants underwent a Norwood operation for complex congenital heart disease including hypoplastic left heart syndrome (n = 41), ventricular septal defect and subaortic stenosis with aortic arch interruption/severe coarctation (n = 7), complex single right ventricle with subaortic stenosis (n = 8), critical aortic stenosis with endocardial fibroelastosis (n = 2), and malaligned primum atrial septal defect with coarctation (n = 2). Age at operation ranged from 1 day to 3.9 months (mean 9 days, median 3.5 days). The operative mortality (< 30 days) was 33% (20 patients). ⋯ After we instituted a protocol that adds carbon dioxide to the inspired gas during postoperative mechanical ventilation, the postoperative course became more stable and there have been no operative deaths. In summary, the operative mortality for the Norwood operation continues to improve. A subsequent Fontan operation can be performed with excellent clinical results.