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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
Effects of Fibrinogen Concentrate as First-line Therapy during Major Aortic Replacement Surgery: A Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial
Hemostatic therapy with fibrinogen concentrate in patients undergoing aortic surgery significantly reduced the transfusion of allogeneic blood products. Larger multicenter studies are necessary to confirm the role of fibrinogen concentrate in the management of perioperative bleeding in patients with life-threatening coagulopathy.
Rapamycin Protects against Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury through JAK2-STAT3 Signaling Pathway
We propose that rapamycin is a novel and clinically relevant pharmacological strategy to target STAT3 activation for treatment of myocardial infarction.
Endogenous Hydrogen Sulfide Mediates the Cardioprotection Induced by Ischemic Postconditioning in the Early Reperfusion Phase
The present study aimed to investigate the role of H(2)S in ischemic postconditioning (IPO) during the early period of reperfusion.
Insensible Water Loss from the Hilite 2400LT Oxygenator: An In Vitro Study
The aim of this study is to explore the degree to which free water loss occurs across a commonly used ECMO oxygenator, the polymethylpentene (PMP) membrane Hilite(®) 2400LT (Medos, Medizintechnik AG, Stolberg, Germany).
Cardioprotective Effect of Melatonin against Ischaemia/Reperfusion Damage
Melatonin, both in the picomolar and micromolar range, significantly reduces infarct size and improves functional recovery during reperfusion.
Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion and Ligation Devices: What is Available, How to Implement Them, and how to Manage and Avoid Complications
Surgical ligation or excision of the LAA is considered the standard of care in patients who undergo mitral valve surgery or as an adjunct to a surgical Maze procedure for treatment of AF.