Heart, lung & circulation
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Heart, lung & circulation · Jan 2007
Levosimendan: the inotrope of choice in cardiogenic shock secondary to takotsubo cardiomyopathy?
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) has become an increasingly recognised entity in Western literature since its initial reporting in Japan. The pathogenesis underlying the myocardial stunning and systolic dysfunction is thought to be induced by elevated systemic levels of catecholamines and neuropeptides. ⋯ Two cases where the calcium sensitiser levosimendan (a non-catecholamine inotrope) was used successfully in TC-related cardiogenic shock are presented. The management of circulatory compromise in TC is then discussed.
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Heart, lung & circulation · Dec 2006
Case ReportsStenting for superior caval vein stenosis after surgical repair of sinus venosus atrial septal defect.
A young woman had symptoms from stenosis of the superior caval vein 8 years after surgical repair of sinus venosus atrial septal defect with partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage. She was successfully treated by balloon dilatation and stenting.
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Heart, lung & circulation · Oct 2006
Randomized Controlled TrialDoes off-pump coronary revascularization reduce the release of the cerebral markers, S-100beta and NSE?
The aims of this study were to (1) compare the release of S-100 beta and NSE in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) versus on-pump surgery; (2) investigate whether the S-100 beta and NSE serum concentrations correlate with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) duration. ⋯ Coronary artery bypass surgery with CPB causes a significantly greater increase in NSE and S-100beta serum levels than off-pump surgery and correlates with CPB duration.
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Heart, lung & circulation · Oct 2006
Case ReportsCompression of trachea due to double aortic arch: demonstration by multi-slice CT scan (MSCT).
Double aortic arch (DAA) is a form of vascular ring, completely encircling trachea and esophagus by its connecting segments, and thus can lead to clinical picture of aero-digestive tract obstruction. MRI and CECT in addition to the location and extent of aero-digestive tract obstruction can also delineate adjacent cardio-vascular anatomy. 3D reconstruction of aorta and airway can be useful tool for pre-operative planning.
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Heart, lung & circulation · Oct 2006
Levosimendan for weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass after coronary artery bypass grafting.
Although cathecholamines are well-established agents of myocardial support during weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), there has been little experience with a new inotropic agent, levosimendan. Our aim was to present our experience with levosimendan usage in patients manifesting failure-to-wean from CPB after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) when conventional inotropic and intraaortic balloon counterpulsation (IABP) therapies proved to be insufficient. ⋯ Levosimendan appears to be useful in failure-to-wean from CPB after cardiotomy when conventional inotropic therapy proves inadequate.