Is Menopause a Risk Factor for Ischemic Heart Disease in Women?
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in men and women worldwide. The apparent cardioprotective effects of endogenous estrogens seem to prevent CVD in premenopausal women.
Right Atrial Myxoma and Severe Left Ventricular Dysfunction: Which Explanations? Which Management?
A 57 year-old woman with a large right atrial myxoma underwent emergency surgical resection in our institute. It is known that surgical management of such tumours is difficult regarding venous cannulation and embolic risk, but in our patient, the surgery was more challenging because of the severe left ventricular dysfunction.
Lipids and Cardiovascular Disease: Do the Findings and Therapy Apply Equally to Men and Women
Dyslipoproteinemia is prevalent in women as well as in men. In both, its consequences--premature atherosclerosis and CAD morbidity and mortality--are more common. Although clinical evidence of the benefits of cholesterol lowering is less abundant in women, it is not entirely absent.
Cyclosporine A Normalizes Mitochondrial Coupling, Reactive Oxygen Species Production, and Inflammation and Partially Restores Skeletal Muscle Maximal Oxidative Capacity in Experimental Aortic Cross-Clamping
Cyclosporine A normalized ROS production, decreased inflammation, and restored mitochondrial coupling during aortic cross-clamping. Incomplete V(max) protection might be due to low cyclophilin D expression in gastrocnemius, preventing CsA from blocking mPTP opening.
Perioperative Coagulation Management During Cardiac Surgery
Prospective randomized multicenter studies are needed to confirm the hypothesis that algorithm-based specific hemotherapy in conjunction with POC testing minimizes patient's exposure to blood products and improves clinical outcome.
The Future:Therapy of Myocardial Protection
Recent studies have proposed that old, inexpensive drugs--in human use for decades (e.g., β-blockers and cyclosporine, among others)--can reduce ischemia/reperfusion injury, I/R injury, when administered intravenously before coronary opening. The demonstration of such a cardioprotective effect should have a significant impact in the care of AMI patients.
Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting–The Current State
The benefits of OPCAB techniques may be more apparent for patients at high risk for complications associated with CPB and aortic manipulation. Recent studies have demonstrated improved outcomes in higher-risk patients undergoing OPCAB, as well as improved neurological outcomes. The purpose of this review is to outline the recent literature comparing OPCAB with ONCAB, and to demonstrate efficacy of OPCAB as a useful technique for coronary revascularization.
Anaortic, Total-Arterial, Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery-Why Bother
Some recent trials comparing conventional on-pump CABG with OPCAB have questioned the efficacy of the off-pump technique - these are most often performed with manipulation of the ascending aorta. We review the potential benefits of the anaortic, total-arterial OPCAB technique to explain why it is being employed by an increasing number of surgeons.
Left-Right Ventricular Interactions in Pediatric Aortic Stenosis: Right Ventricular Myocardial Strain Before and After Aortic Valvuloplasty
Ventricular-ventricular interactions may affect left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) function but have not been well characterized in chronic LV afterload in children. The aim of this study was to assess RV myocardial strain in children with aortic stenosis before and after aortic balloon valvuloplasty.
The Year in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia: Selected Highlights from 2012
The year 2012 has witnessed the emergence of new paradigms of care in our specialty with the emphasis on teamwork, safety, and quality. These processes will further improve perioperative outcome.
Value of Internal Thoracic Artery Grafting to the Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery at Coronary Reoperation
The study sought to determine if left internal thoracic artery (LITA) grafting of the left anterior descending (LAD) at reoperative coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) improves patient outcomes.
Transfusion and Risk of Acute Kidney Injury in Cardiac Surgery
This narrative review focuses on the relationship between perioperative red blood cell transfusion and AKI after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).