Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery This is an OPML file. It can be used to export all the MedWorm RSS feeds on this topic into your personal RSS reader (usually you have to save this file to your own computer before clicking on an Import OPML command in your own feed reader to upload the file which will then import all the feeds) or it can be used by webmasters to integrate MedWorm feeds with their own website. This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader, such as GoogleReader, or to display this data on your own website or blog. Subscribe to this data using MyMedWorm.Subscribe to this data using GoogleReader.Subscribe to this data using Bloglines.Subscribe to this data using MyYahoo.

This page shows you the most recent publications within this specialty of the MedWorm directory. This is page number 5.

Long‐term clinical outcomes after unprotected left main coronary artery stenting in an all‐comers patient population
Conclusion:In this on‐going registry of high risk patients with LMCA stenosis, stenting was found to be safe and clinically effective in maintaining event‐free survival. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Source: Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions - February 13, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Mohammed Ali, Alan Hanley, Brendan McAdam, Rory O'Hanlon, Thomas Gumbrielle, Richard Sheahan, David P. Foley Tags: Original Study Source Type: research

Effect of remote ischemic preconditioning on serum troponin T level following elective percutaneous coronary intervention
Conclusion:The use of RIPC immediately prior to PCI attenuates procedure‐related cTnT release and does not affect occurrence of post procedural MI, CKMB or CRP levels. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Source: Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions - February 13, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Rashed M. Ahmed, El‐Haddad A Mohamed, Mostafa Ashraf, Shenoy Maithili, Farag Nabil, Raymond Rami, Tahir I. Mohamed Source Type: research

Bailout antegrade coronary reentry with the stingray™ balloon and guidewire in the setting of an acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock
We report a case where the Stingray™ device was successfully used as a bailout strategy in the setting of an acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Source: Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions - February 13, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Talhat Azemi, Daniel B. Fram, Jeffrey A. Hirst Source Type: research

OCT: Shining the light on peripheral intervention
Source: Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions - February 13, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: S. Hinan Ahmed, James Mancusso Source Type: research

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy: Vulnerable patients, not vulnerable plaques
Source: Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions - February 13, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Navin K. Kapur, Greg A. Imbrie Source Type: research

Japanese multicenter registry evaluating the retrograde approach for chronic coronary total occlusion
Conclusions:Increased availability of channel dilators has altered strategies for retrograde PCI for CTO. However, retrograde PCI for CTO could be improved by overcoming its main obstacle of severe calcification. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Source: Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions - February 13, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Etsuo Tsuchikane, Masahisa Yamane, Makoto Mutoh, Tetsuo Matsubara, Tsutomu Fujita, Shigeru Nakamura, Toshiya Muramatsu, Atsunori Okamura, Yasumi Igarashi, Akitsugu Oida, Source Type: research

Bifurcation stenting after failed angioplasty of infrapopliteal arteries in critical limb ischemia: Techniques and short‐term follow‐up
Conclusions:Bifurcation stenting techniques, that are described for the coronary arteries can be also performed in the infrapopliteal arteries. However, early reocclusion was frequent in this case series, when stenting was performed in a bail‐out setting. If balloon angioplasty alone leads to no sufficient results in bifurcation lesions, a single stent strategy could also be considered. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Source: Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions - February 13, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Martin Werner, Susanne Scheinert, Yvonne Bausback, Sven Bräunlich, Matthias Ulrich, Michael Piorkowski, Dierk Scheinert, Andrej Schmidt Source Type: research

Hybrid melody pulmonary valve replacement in an adult with severe pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary artery aneurysm
Abstract A 48 year‐old female with D‐TGA,VSD, pulmonary stenosis, pulmonary hypertension (PAH), and total anomalous pulmonary venous connection underwent hybrid intervention for a pulmonary artery (PA) aneurysm and replacement of a dysfunctional pulmonary valve (PV). She underwent a hemi‐Mustard procedure at 9 years of age but remained cyanotic. She developed atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and functional decline at 43 years of age. A chest CT demonstrated a 6 cm PA aneurysm that upon re‐imaging at 48 years had increased to 11 cm. A catheterization procedure revealed severe PS, PR, residual VSD, severe PAH with...
Source: Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions - February 13, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Gwendolyn Derk, Hillel Laks, Jamil Aboulhosn Source Type: research

A new stenting technique for bifurcation lesions: A nine‐patient case series
Conclusions:K‐TAP, a new coronary bifurcation stenting method, has favorable angiographic and procedural success rates and a low early post‐procedure MACE rate. Further studies are needed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the K‐TAP method. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Source: Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions - February 13, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: K. Ocal Karabay, Bayram Bagirtan, Vedat Aytekin Source Type: research

Aorto ‐ right atrial fistula secondary to rupture of an occluded old saphenous venous graft to right coronary artery
We report a case of an acquired aorta ‐ right atrial fistula, secondary to a ruptured proximal anastomosis of an old saphenous vein graft 12 years after a Coronary artery bypass surgery, in a 57 year old patient with multiple cardiovascular risk factors. On admission, he presented with congestive heart failure and on examination a continuous murmur was detected on the right parasternal border. Catheterization showed a fistula from the proximal anastomosis of an occluded RCA saphenous vein graft draining to the right atrium with a large left to right shunt. The fistula was successfully occluded by a percutaneous approach ...
Source: Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions - February 13, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Carlos Sebastian Balestrini, José Federico Saaibi, Santiago Navas Ortiz Tags: Case Report Source Type: research

Dissection of intercostal nerves by means of assisted video thoracoscopy. experimental study
In total brachial plexus preganglionic lesions (C5-C6-C7-C8 and T1) different extraplexual neurotizations are indicated for partial motor function restitution. Mostly for the flexion of the elbow. Neurotization with intercostal nerves (ICN) to musculocutaneous nerve has been known and accepted during many years with different results 2 - 5. The customary technique as described by various authors is carried out by means of a large submammary incision to harvest three or four intercostal nerves. (Figure 1). Then are connected by direct suture or grafts to the musculocutaneous nerve or its motor branches 6 - 7 . In this artic...
Source: Journal of Brachial Plexus and Peripheral Nerve Injury - February 13, 2013 Category: Surgery Authors: Juan CáceresSantos PalazziJose PalazziManuel Llusá Source Type: research

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Minimally Invasive Surgery Works Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Minimally Invasive Surgery Works
New data suggest adolescents recover more quickly than adults. Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Today Headlines - February 12, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Orthopaedics News Source Type: news

Love Your Heart 2013: Promoting Heart Health in Europe
This is the 2013 Valentine's Day Campaign initiated by the MEP Heart Group in the European Parliament. It aims at ensuring that cardiovascular diseases (CVD), the n°1 killer in Europe, are given the appropriate attention on the EU policy agenda.You are warmly invited to join the MEP Heart Group Twitter & Facebook campaign on 13 & 14 February for raising awareness. Topics: Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS), Arrhythmias, Atrial Fibrillation, Basic Science, Cardiac Tumours, Cardiovascular Disease Prevention - Risk Assessment and Management, Cardiovascular Nursing, Cardiovascular S...
Source: ESC News and Press - February 12, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: news

Two Medical Societies Break New Ground To Test Medical Device
In a startling break with tradition, the American College of Cardiology and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons will manage and run their own clinical trials testing expanded uses for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The two medical groups have recently been granted an investigational device exemption (IDE) by the FDA for one such trial and hope to gain an IDE for at least two more trials. The news was first reported by The Gray Sheet (subscription required) on February 8.
Source: Forbes.com Healthcare News - February 12, 2013 Category: Pharmaceuticals Authors: Larry Husten Source Type: news

High-Resolution Computed Tomography Findings for Patients With Drug-Induced Pulmonary Toxicity, With Special Reference to Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis-Like Patterns in Gemcitabine-Induced Cases.
Conclusion. GEM was the leading cause of drug-induced pulmonary toxicity in the patients examined in this study. This toxicity appears as NSIP or an HP-like pattern during HRCT examinations. This HP-like pattern may be useful for diagnosing GEM-induced pulmonary toxicity, as well as demonstrating granuloma or organizing tissue during lung pathology examinations. PMID: 23404815 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: The Oncologist - February 12, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Tamura M, Saraya T, Fujiwara M, Hiraoka S, Yokoyama T, Yano K, Ishii H, Furuse J, Goya T, Takizawa H, Goto H Tags: Oncologist Source Type: research

Initial results of an optimized perfusion system.
CONCLUSION: With the described optimized perfusion system, a significantly lower priming volume, leading to less hemodilution after the onset of CPB, was achieved. The amount of blood transfusions and the inflammatory response were reduced. PMID: 23404056 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Perfusion - February 12, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Starck C, Bettex D, Felix C, Reser D, Dreizler T, Hasenclever P, Falk V Tags: Perfusion Source Type: research

Novel percutaneous transcatheter intervention for refractory active endocarditis as a bridge to surgery–angiovac aspiration system
We report the first novel use of an aspiration catheter system for transcatheter therapy of refractory active right sided endocarditis on a bioprosthetic valve in a high‐risk surgical patient as a bridge to surgical intervention. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Source: Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions - February 12, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Abhay A. Divekar, Thomas Scholz, Joss D. Fernandez Tags: Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease Source Type: research

Outcomes after primary percutaneous coronary intervention in octogenarians and nonagenarians with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction: From the Western Denmark heart registry
ConclusionThe annual proportion of octogenarians with STEMI treated with PPCI doubled from 2002 to 2009, while the proportion of nonagenarians remained unchanged. Although nonagenarians had the highest short‐ and long‐term mortality, we found the outcome acceptable with a 5‐year survival of more than 40% in both groups. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Source: Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions - February 12, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Lisbeth Antonsen, Lisette Okkels Jensen, Christian Juhl Terkelsen, Hans‐Henrik Tilsted, Anders Junker, Michael Maeng, Knud Noerregaard Hansen, Jens Flensted Lassen, Leif Thuesen, Per Thayssen Tags: Coronary Artery Disease Source Type: research

Rebuttal: Intolerance during proximal protected carotid artery stenting: Definitions and rates
Source: Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions - February 12, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Dimitrios Nikas, Bernhard Reimers Tags: Peripheral Vascular Disease Source Type: research

Stroke volume optimization in elective bowel surgery: a comparison between pulse power wave analysis (LiDCOrapid) and oesophageal Doppler (CardioQ)
Conclusions LiDCOrapid and ODM devices are not interchangeable. We cannot recommend that the LiDCOrapid replace the standard Doppler method until further device-specific outcome studies on volume optimization are available. The dynamic indices SVV and PPV add little value to a fluid optimization protocol, and should not replace SV measurements with a validated technique.
Source: British Journal of Anaesthesia - February 12, 2013 Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Nordstrom, J., Hallsjo-Sander, C., Shore, R., Bjorne, H. Tags: Cardiovascular Source Type: research

Percutaneous Transvenous Mitral Valve Implantation
A 75-year-old-man with previous coronary artery bypass graft surgery and mitral valve replacement with a 27-mm St. Jude porcine valve was in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III due to dysfunctional mitral bioprosthesis (A = 2-dimensional echocardiography and Doppler trace of the mitral valve before and after intervention). A percutaneous transvenous mitral valve implantation with a “valve-in-valve” technique was proposed. To assess feasibility, a 3-dimensional print of the patient's heart was obtained from a gated cardiac computed tomography scan. Rapid prototyping confirmed in vitro that the transfe...
Source: Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Cardiovascular Interventions - February 11, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Chronic Mitral Regurgitation and Aortic Regurgitation Have Indications for Surgery Changed?
The timing of surgery in patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) and aortic regurgitation (AR) continues to elicit uncertainty and considerable controversy. Some patients will incur myocardial structural changes, pulmonary hypertension, or arrhythmias before they manifest symptoms, with the risk that these adverse endpoints will not be reversible after valve repair or replacement. Imaging to assess valve morphology, severity of regurgitation, and left ventricular (LV) volume and function is firmly established, and the guidelines of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association and the European Society of Ca...
Source: Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Cardiovascular Interventions - February 11, 2013 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research

Minimally Invasive Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery
Textbook and AtlasIt is now 20 years since thoracoscopic surgery first entered everyday hospital practice, revolutionizing surgery and offering major benefits to patients. The intervening years have witnessed rapid progress, with the development of a variety of specialized techniques and equipment. This superbly illustrated book provides authoritative and comprehensive descriptions of the various minimally ...
Source: Springer Medicine titles - February 11, 2013 Category: Databases & Libraries Tags: Minimally Invasive Surgery Source Type: news

Magnetic Interference of Cardiac Pacemakers from a Surgical Magnetic Drape.
In this study, we evaluated the potential magnetic interference of magnetic drapes on pacemaker function. A magnetic drape with 70 magnets was placed with its approximate center over the pacemaker of 50 patients during their visit to the cardiology clinic. In those pacemakers that demonstrated magnetic interference, the drape was pulled caudally in 3-cm increments until the interference ceased. If there was no interference, the drape was folded in 2 over the pacemaker. The number of magnets necessary to maintain magnetic interference with the pacemaker was also tested. Magnetic interference was observed in the pacemakers o...
Source: Anesthesia and Analgesia - February 11, 2013 Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Zaphiratos V, Donati F, Drolet P, Bianchi A, Benzaquen B, Lapointe J, Fortier LP Tags: Anesth Analg Source Type: research

Guidelines for the Management of Respiratory Complications in Patients With Neuromuscular Disease.
PMID: 23410743 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Archivos de Bronconeumologia - February 11, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Farrero E, Antón A, Egea CJ, Almaraz MJ, Masa JF, Utrabo I, Calle M, Verea H, Servera E, Jara L, Barrot E, Casolivé V Tags: Arch Bronconeumol Source Type: research

Mediastinal Fibrosis and Superior Vena Cava Syndrome.
We present the case of a 34-year-old patient who debuted with symptoms of superior vena cava syndrome due to idiopathic mediastinal fibrosis, which presented a torpid evolution and few therapeutic alternatives. PMID: 23410744 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Archivos de Bronconeumologia - February 11, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Novella Sánchez L, Sanz Herrero F, Berraondo Fraile J, Fernández Fabrellas E Tags: Arch Bronconeumol Source Type: research

Effects of surface-bound and intravenously administered heparin on cell-surface interactions: inflammation and coagulation.
Abstract Intravenous administration of heparin and heparin-bonded extracorporeal circuits are frequently used to mitigate the deleterious effects of blood contact with synthetic materials. The work described here utilized human blood in a micro-perfusion circuit to experimentally examine the effects of intravenous and surface-bound heparin on cellular activation. Activation markers of coagulation and of the inflammatory response were examined using flow cytometry; specifically, markers of platelet, monocyte, polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN), and lymphocyte activation were quantified. The results indicate that surf...
Source: Perfusion - February 11, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Johnson G, Curry B, Cahalan L, Prater R, Biggerstaff J, Hussain A, Gartner M, Cahalan P Tags: Perfusion Source Type: research

Management options for aorto- oesophageal fistula: case histories and review of the literature.
CONCLUSIONS: Eliminating the source of bleeding as an emergency, resecting the oesophagus urgently to prevent sepsis and reconstructing the gastrointestinal continuity as an elective case after having the inflammatory processes settled seems to justify the endovascular aortic repair and subtotal oesophageal resection, followed by a gastro-oesophageal reconstruction, as an effective surgical approach. PMID: 23401340 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Perfusion - February 11, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Göbölös L, Miskolczi S, Pousios D, Tsang G, Livesey S, Barlow C, Kaarne M, Shambrook J, Lipnevicius A, Ohri S Tags: Perfusion Source Type: research

Delaying cord clamping until ventilation onset improves cardiovascular function at birth in preterm lambs.
Conclusion: Delaying cord clamping for 3-4 minutes until after ventilation is established, improves cardiovascular function by increasing pulmonary blood flow before the cord is clamped. As a result, cardiac output remains stable, leading to a smoother cardiovascular transition throughout the early newborn period. PMID: 23401615 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: The Journal of Physiology - February 11, 2013 Category: Physiology Authors: Bhatt S, Alison B, Wallace EM, Crossley KJ, Gill AW, Kluckow M, Te Pas AB, Morley CJ, Polglase GR, Hooper SB Tags: J Physiol Source Type: research

Pathologic thoracic spine fracture in presence of Parkinson's disease and diffuse ankylosis: successful management of a challenging condition
Conclusion: This patient had Parkinson's disease and a severely ankylosed spine, both of which may lead to unsatisfactory surgical results from spinal surgery. Generally, patients with Parkinson's disease have an increased risk for adjacent segment disease and instrument failure. In this patient, fusion surgery did not change the number of fused segments because operated segments were already ankylosed. Because no stress force exists between adjacent vertebral bodies, a severely ankylosed spine may help prevent screw pullout. Thus, treatment of a spinal fracture in an ankylosed spinal segment is a less adverse condition fo...
Source: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders - February 11, 2013 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Yasuchika AokiArata NakajimaRyuji SakakibaraSeiji OhtoriKazuhisa TakahashiKoichi Nakagawa Source Type: research

Anterior mediastinal gastroenteric cyst containing pancreatic tissue influenced the diabetes mellitus status
We report here an extremely rare case of an adult gastroenteric cyst with pancreatic tissue originating from the anterior mediastinum, influencing the severity of diabetes mellitus in a patient. This case report presents two remarkable findings. First, the location of the gastroenteric cyst (anterior mediastinum) and the patient's age at the time of detection (adulthood) were extremely rare. Secondly, the present case is also unusual in terms of glycometabolism. As this tumour decreased in size, the glycosylated haemoglobin value increased, which suggested a worsening of the patient's diabetes mellitus. The diabetes mellit...
Source: Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery - February 11, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Shoji, F., Takeo, S., Shikada, Y., Katsura, M. Tags: Thoracic Source Type: research

eComment. Alveolar echinococcosis of the lung
Source: Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery - February 11, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Barbetakis, N., Asteriou, C., Lazopoulos, A. A., Gogako, A. S. Tags: E-COMMENT Source Type: research

Lung metastasis caused by an infection with Echinococcus alveolaris
Echinococcus alveolaris (E. alveolaris) (multi-localaris) is a parasitic agent that commonly affects the liver and poses as a solid mass. In contrast to Echnicoccus granulosus, E. alveolaris tends to invade adjacent structures rather than displace and compress them. Haematogenous dissemination to other organs such as the lungs, brain, or bone is rare. In this case, we report on a 34-year old woman with a history of liver segmentectomy due to E. alveolaris infestation and the disease disseminated to the lungs. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple opacities and mixed signal intensities in the lu...
Source: Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery - February 11, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Karaman, A., Yalcin, A., Alper, F. Tags: Thoracic Source Type: research

A novel method for the treatment of dysphagia lusoria due to aberrant right subclavian artery
This article describes a safe, effective and reproducible surgical approach to dysphagia lusoria due to a non-aneurysmal aberrant right subclavian artery.
Source: Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery - February 11, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Fukuhara, S., Patton, B., Yun, J., Bernik, T. Tags: Congenital Source Type: research

Reconstruction of aorto-mitral continuity with a handmade aorto-mitral bioprosthetic valve for extensive bivalvular endocarditis
Surgical treatment is effective to exclude all infected tissue in patients with infective endocarditis. Although various techniques have been reported, it has remained a great challenge for patients with extensive infected regions. A patient with extensive bivalvular endocarditis including the aortic and mitral valve and aorto-mitral continuity is described. A handmade aorto-mitral bioprosthetic valve was created to reconstruct the defect after extensive debridement. The patient was discharged on the 30th postoperative day without inflammatory signs.
Source: Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery - February 11, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Tedoriya, T., Hirota, M., Ishikawa, N., Omoto, T. Tags: Adult Cardiac Source Type: research

Asymptomatic blood cyst of the papillary muscle in an adult undergoing coronary bypass surgery
We report here a case of a blood-filled cyst attached to the papillary muscle, demonstrating the importance of multimodal preoperative diagnostic imaging combining both echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging.
Source: Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery - February 11, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Donndorf, P., Bermaoui, B., Westphal, B., Steinhoff, G. Tags: Adult Cardiac Source Type: research

Double triangular resection for a widely prolapsed posterior mitral leaflet
A wide and redundant prolapse of the posterior mitral leaflet in active infective endocarditis cannot be easily repaired. A sliding plasty can be attempted, but the range of annular plication is often too large. Chordal replacement is another option, but is prone to long-term degeneration because the redundant leaflet still exists. Here, we describe a simple resection technique that utilizes only two small triangular resections. The resections are sutured with no need to shorten the annulus. The leaflet tissue between the two triangular resections must be preserved to make an appropriately shaped posterior leaflet.
Source: Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery - February 11, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Sawazaki, M., Tomari, S., Tsunekawa, T., Izawa, N. Tags: Adult Cardiac Source Type: research

Pseudoaneurysm of the mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa as a complication after minimally invasive mitral valve repair
We describe here the first case after minimally invasive mitral valve repair. Such a complication may be overlooked in the early postoperative echocardiographic study and may lead to fistula formation, compression of adjacent structures, infection, or rupture. Both computed tomography and echocardiography provide a detailed anatomy of the pseudoaneurysm and its communication with the left ventricular outflow tract.
Source: Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery - February 11, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Spampinato, R. A., Borger, M. A., Strotdrees, E., Mohr, F. W. Tags: Adult Cardiac Source Type: research

Infective mitral valve endocarditis after transapical aortic valve implantation
In this report, we discuss the potentially growing problem of complications related to transcatheter valve implantation.
Source: Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery - February 11, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Hirnle, G., Holzhey, D., Borger, M., Mohr, F.-W. Tags: Adult Cardiac Source Type: research

Late ventriculo-atrial shunt migration leading to pericardial cerebrospinal fluid effusion and cardiac tamponade
We present the case of a patient with cardiac tamponade secondary to late intrapericardial migration of a disrupted ventriculo-atrial shunt (VAS). A 48-year old woman was referred for cardiac tamponade. She had a history of congenital hydrocephalus with implantation of a VAS (Codman®) in 1994. The initial neurological examination was normal. Tomodensitometry showed a discontinuity of the VAS at the cervical level with its distal part floating in the pericardium. Immediate surgery through sternotomy allowed the draining of the pressurized translucid liquid. The distal part of the VAS was extracted and the perforation si...
Source: Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery - February 11, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Mastroianni, C., Chauvet, D., Ressencourt, O., Kirsch, M. Tags: Adult Cardiac Source Type: research

Ascending aorta thrombus adjacent to a cholesterol-rich plaque as the source of multiple emboli
We present a case of a 40-year old healthy female smoker who presented with a 6-month history of three transient ischaemic attacks, hand pain and numbness despite being on dual anti-platelet therapy. Computed tomography revealed a mid-ascending aorta thrombus. She underwent ascending aorta replacement on cardiopulmonary bypass, but without the use of circulatory arrest. She recovered uneventfully. We identified a fresh thrombus adjacent to a soft, cholesterol-rich plaque as the culprit lesion. We advocate surgical excision of such lesions as the only way of removing the underlying cause of thromboembolism. In addition, rup...
Source: Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery - February 11, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Sabetai, M. M., Conway, A. M., Hallward, G., Bapat, V. Tags: Adult Cardiac Source Type: research

Right coronary cusp perforation after mitral valve replacement
Secondary to leaflet injury, which is a well-known technical mistake, aortic regurgitation can occur during mitral valve replacement or repair. In most cases, the left or the non-coronary cusps are affected. For the first time, we report the case of a patient who had severe aortic regurgitation due to right coronary cusp perforation after mitral valve replacement. This complication was not identified until reoperation. Had transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) been used during the first procedure, a delayed reoperation could have been avoided. During mitral surgery, every aortic cusp is at risk and peroperative TOE shoul...
Source: Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery - February 11, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Al Yamani, M. I., Frapier, J.-M., Battistella, P. D., Albat, B. Tags: Adult Cardiac Source Type: research

Surgical valve repair of isolated pulmonary valve endocarditis
We reported 4 cases of IPE without underlying heart diseases that required surgical interventions. Two of the present patients had predisposing factors that included a history of abdominal surgery in Case 1 and intravenous drug abuse in Case 3. All four patients presented with persistent fever together with pulmonary symptoms despite appropriate antibiotic management. Three of the patients underwent elective pulmonary valve repair, but Case 3 underwent an urgent surgical intervention due to uncontrolled septic shock. Pulmonary valve repair was performed using autologous pericardial patch in all 4 patients. All of them had ...
Source: Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery - February 11, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Deng, H., Ma, Y., Zhai, H., Miao, Q. Tags: Adult Cardiac Source Type: research

eReply. Re: Criticism on a new marking technique for lung nodules identification
Source: Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery - February 11, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Kawada, M. Tags: E-COMMENT Source Type: research

eComment. Criticism on a new marking technique for lung nodules identification
Source: Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery - February 11, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Baisi, A., De Simone, M., Raveglia, F., Cioffi, U. Tags: E-COMMENT Source Type: research

A new marking technique for peripheral lung nodules avoiding pleural puncture: the intrathoracic stamping method
While performing thoracoscopic wedge resection of the lung, the location of the lesion is generally identified by visual inspection or palpation. When difficulty in identification of the lesion by thoracoscopy is anticipated, preoperative marking is performed. However, complications and technical difficulties plague current marking techniques. To overcome this problem, we designed a new, safe and easy marking technique that avoids pleural puncture, called the intrathoracic stamping method.
Source: Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery - February 11, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Kawada, M., Okubo, T., Poudel, S., Suzuki, Y., Kawarada, Y., Kitashiro, S., Okushiba, S., Katoh, H. Tags: Thoracic Source Type: research

Does surgery improve prognosis in patients with small-cell lung carcinoma?
This study also discerned that no survival benefit was accrued by adding surgery to chemotherapy. However, this study only included patients who responded to an initial course of chemotherapy and also excluded patients with peripheral nodules only. Subsequent investigators have asserted the value of surgery in SCLC. A retrospective case–control study found that surgery significantly improved median survival in patients with stage I disease when compared with patients undergoing medical therapy. One British centre reported survival rates of 52% at 5 years amongst patients undergoing resection and nodal dissection for ...
Source: Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery - February 11, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Jones, C. D., Cummings, I. G., Shipolini, A. R., McCormack, D. J. Tags: Thoracic Source Type: research

eComment. Choice of bioprosthesis for aortic valve replacement
Source: Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery - February 11, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Dimitrakakis, G., von Oppell, U. O. Tags: E-COMMENT Source Type: research

eComment. The current bioprosthesis of choice for aortic valve replacements
Source: Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery - February 11, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Hajj-Chahine, J. Tags: E-COMMENT Source Type: research

Aortic valve replacement: is porcine or bovine valve better?
In conclusion, the bovine valve is superior in its complication and haemodynamic profiles. Both bovine and porcine valves have comparable results with regard to the mortality, postoperative functional status and valve durability. Significant variability between the valve manufacturers, study designs, study period and patient population in the above studies impose limitations to the comparison of both valves.
Source: Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery - February 11, 2013 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Yap, K. H., Murphy, R., Devbhandari, M., Venkateswaran, R. Tags: Adult Cardiac Source Type: research