Poor Outcome of Surgical Management of Acute Malfunctioning Mechanical Mitral Valve During Pregnancy. Should Centers with Limited Resources Find Different Options?

Background: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is the most common cardiac disease in pregnancy in developing countries with the mitral valve being the most affected. In this study, the results of surgical intervention in pregnant women presented with acute malfunctioning mechanical mitral valve were discussed.

Methods: All patients underwent emergency redo mitral valve replacement due to acute malfunctioning mechanical mitral valve during pregnancy in a single center between January 2005 and December 2017.

Preparative fasting for contrast-enhanced CT: reconsideration.

Purpose: To evaluate the evidence on the value of preparative fluid fasting for patients undergoing elective computed tomography (CT) with intravenous administration of contrast material and to survey leading institutions in a number of countries on their current policies in this regard.

Materials And Methods: This study qualified for exempt status by the institutional review board. First, 20 keyword combinations were entered into Medline to ascertain the correlation between fluid ingestion preceding contrast material-enhanced CT and development of aspiration pneumonia.