Reoperation for isolated rheumatic tricuspid regurgitation.

Background: The reoperation for isolated tricuspid regurgitation in rheumatic population is rare and still unclear and controversial because of the rarity of publications. The aim of this study was to analyze short and long-term results and outcome of tricuspid valve surgery after left-sided valve surgery in rheumatic patients.

Methods: Twenty six consecutive rheumatic patients who underwent isolated tricuspid valve surgery after left-sided valve surgery between January 2000 and January2017 were retrospectively registered in the study.

Exceptional association of two species of bacteria causing mediastinitis: Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae) and Aggregatibacter aphrophilus (A. aphrophilus).

Background: Post cardiac surgery mediastinitis is the major infectious complication, despite the development of surgical techniques and the application of strict preventive measures. The Haemophilus influenzae mediastinitis is very rare. The mediastinitis caused by the association between Haemophilus influenzae and Aggregatibacter aphrophilus has never been described to our knowledge.

Early results for active infective endocarditis.

Introduction: Cardiac surgery is frequently needed during active phase of infective endocarditis (IE). The purpose of this study was to analyze the immediate and late results and determine the risk factors for death.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 101 patients with IE operated in the active phase.

[Persistence of the 5 aortic arch associated with interruption of the aortic arch].

We report a case of persistence of the 5th aortic arch associated with total interruption of the aortic arch. This clinical case shows the diagnostic pitfall of the persistence of the 5th aortic arch and its beneficial hemodynamic effect. Preoperative clinical picture was misleading, due to the persistence of femoral pulses and clinical signs of left-to-right shunt via a wide ductus arteriosus.

Congenital left atrial appendage aneurysm: Atypical presentation.

Congenital left atrial appendage aneurysm is a rare condition caused by dysplasia of the atrial muscles. We report a case of a 14-year-old boy, with a 5-month history of cough and in sinus rhythm. Transthoracic echocardiography and computerized tomographic angiography confirmed the aneurysm of the left atrial appendage which was resected through median sternotomy on cardiopulmonary bypass.

[Subaortic diaphragm surgery].

Subaortic diaphragm is characterized by a certain clinical latency and low morbi-mortality. Surgery remains the treatment of choice despite the real risk of long-term recurrence. Our study involved 18 patients with subaortic diaphragm operated between April 1994 and March 2011.

A giant aneurysm of ascending aorta revealed by superior vena cava syndrome.

We report a 72 year-old man who presented symptoms of right heart failure and patent superior vena cava syndrome related to a huge ascending aortic aneurysm with a maximal diameter at 11 cm. The patient underwent a successful surgical repair by a modified Bentall operation with good recovery.