Cardiovascular surgery (London, England)
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Deep hypothermic cardiocirculatory arrest is the commonest method of brain protection during transverse aortic arch surgery. Its principle drawbacks consist in the limited safe ischemic period and in the coagulative, renal and pulmonary complications related to low body temperatures and prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time. Different selective cerebral perfusion techniques have recently raised the interest of some surgical teams in an effort to obviate these problems. ⋯ Two chest reexplorations were necessary for bleeding, which were partially related to hemocoagulative disorders. In our experience, the technique of moderately hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass and selective cerebral perfusion in aortic surgery has provided good results with regard to cerebral protection and organ function preservation. Therefore, allowing a prolonged distal aortic reconstruction period, it may be considered as a safe alternative to profound hypothermia associated with cardiocirculatory arrest in aortic arch surgery.
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Oligo-elements such as zinc (Zn), selenium (Se) and copper (Cu) have a significant influence on the function of the immune system. Various immunological and inflammatory changes are known to occur in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in serum oligo-elements levels during and following cardiopulmonary bypass. ⋯ This indicates a more profound inflammatory response. Inflammatory parameters responded in the same manner as described earlier by others. These data indicate that severe loss of various oligo elements occur in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and suggests that a supplementary administration of zinc and perhaps also selenium could be appropriate during cardiopulmonary bypass.
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The sequential bypass grafting technique has many advantages over coronary artery bypass grafting with single grafts. The aim of this study was to evaluate the consequences of sequential bypass graft failure. Between 1 January 1984 and 31 December 1996, 3846 patients underwent primary coronary artery bypass vein grafting. ⋯ An antero-lateral sequential vein bypass graft has better long-term patency than single vein bypass, but should occlusion occur, it would usually be associated with a higher myocardial infarction and mortality rates than a single vein graft. The highest risk for failure of a sequential graft in the antero-lateral position occurs when the left anterior descending artery (LAD) is small or severely diseased. In this situation the single graft technique with internal thoracic artery appears to be safer.