Heart, lung & circulation
-
Heart, lung & circulation · Jan 2010
Case ReportsThrombus entrapped in a patent foramen ovale: a potential source of pulmonary and systemic embolism.
Patent foramen ovale (PFO) occurs in up to 30% of the population, making it the most common site for intra-cardiac shunting. The passage of thrombus across a PFO is typically transient, thus is rarely proven. ⋯ Management options include surgical thrombectomy with PFO closure, thrombolysis and systemic anticoagulation. The role of percutaneous PFO closure devices for secondary prevention of thromboembolic complications is currently under investigation.
-
Heart, lung & circulation · Dec 2009
Epicardial cardiac basal annuloplasty: Preliminary findings on extra-cardiac mitral valve repair.
Correction of functional mitral regurgitation in ischaemic heart disease, with a better risk:benefit ratio is an unmet need. A new methodology of external approach of correcting the annulus (BACE: basal annuloplasty of the cardia externally) to repair and stabilise the mitral valve without entering the heart was used in this prospective study. This study was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of the concept BACE device in patients with moderate functional mitral valve regurgitation as a result of symptomatic coronary artery disease and heart failure. ⋯ External stabilisation of the cardiac base with BACE was associated with significant improvement in mitral valve function with no significant intra-operative or post-operative problems in patients with moderate functional MR. These findings support further study of BACE in functional MR.
-
Heart, lung & circulation · Dec 2009
Case ReportsRole of extracorporeal circulation in the management of accidental deep hypothermia.
Deep hypothermia leading to cardiac arrest requires aggressive management for resuscitation. Various methods are available to rewarm the patient. We hereby present a case report where active resuscitation was carried out using cardiopulmonary bypass in a young female who was found unconscious with a core temperature of 26 degrees C. The relevant literature is also reviewed.
-
Heart, lung & circulation · Oct 2009
Comparative StudyComparison of reduction ascending aortoplasty and ascending aortic replacement for bicuspid valve related aortopathy in young adult patients undergoing aortic valve replacement--long-term follow-up.
We aimed to determine the long-term outcomes of reduction ascending aortoplasty and ascending aortic replacement. A secondary aim was to document our experience with the long-term "growth" of woven Dacron grafts. ⋯ We have demonstrated satisfactory long-term outcomes with both RAA and AAR in patients with BAV related aortopathy who have undergone the Ross procedure. We have noted a greater diameter reduction with AAR when compared with RAA over nine years. In this series, "growth" of the woven Dacron grafts occurred, however individual measures did not correlate with other studies.
-
Mitral valve repair offers superior long-term survival, freedom from cardiac morbidity, and quality of life in patients with severe mitral regurgitation compared to medical management and mitral valve replacement; it is the treatment of choice in these patients. Mitral valve repair is the only treatment that restores normal life expectancy to otherwise healthy patients with advanced degenerative mitral valve disease. This review focuses on indications, timing and techniques for mitral valve repair in degenerative disease, emphasising the importance of anatomy in surgical outcomes.