Heart, lung & circulation
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Heart, lung & circulation · Aug 2006
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyEvaluation of Epsilon amino-caproic acid (EACA) and autologous blood as blood conservation strategies in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
To evaluate the effects of autologous blood and Epsilon amino-caproic acid on intra-operative and post-operative blood loss and homologous blood product requirements in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. ⋯ Autologous blood is as efficacious as Epsilon amino-caproic acid for blood conservation in cardiac surgery.
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Heart, lung & circulation · Jun 2006
Comparative Study Clinical TrialVentricular septal defect closure in right coronary cusp prolapse and aortic regurgitation complicating VSD in the outlet septum: which treatment is most appropriate?
There is currently not a standardized technique for the sizing and shaping of surgical closure of the ventricular septal defect (VSD) patch in patients with right coronary aortic cusp prolapse and aortic regurgitation (AR) complicating VSD in the outlet septum. ⋯ Small patch closure for this type of VSD is safer and more reliable in improving mild AR than that of direct closure, especially in patients with mild AR.
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Heart, lung & circulation · Jun 2006
Pre-operative preparation for cardiac surgery utilising a combination of metabolic, physical and mental therapy.
Cardiac surgery represents major metabolic, physical and mental stresses associated with an increased production of reactive oxygen species. These stresses may hamper post-operative recovery, increasing hospitalisation times and operative mortality. We conducted a quality assurance and feasibility study to evaluate and monitor the safety and efficacy of a new program of combined pre-operative metabolic (enhanced antioxidant), physical and mental therapy to counter these stresses prior to cardiac surgery. ⋯ These preliminary results suggest that a program of combined metabolic, physical and mental preparation before cardiac surgery is safe, feasible and may improve quality of life, lower systolic blood pressure, reduce levels of oxidative stress and thus has the potential to enhance post-operative recovery.
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Heart, lung & circulation · Apr 2006
Case ReportsLarge retrosternal goitre: a diagnostic and management dilemma.
A substernal goitre is of clinical significance because its growth between the sternum anteriorly and vertebral bodies posteriorly leads to impingement on the surrounding structures and compressive symptoms. The incidence of substernal goitre is documented to vary between .02 and .5%. ⋯ This condition is important because it presents a diagnostic dilemma as its size and compressive symptoms mimic malignant disease, and an operative dilemma for the approach to its management. We present one of the largest reported retrosternal goitre cases in the literature.