Incidence and etiology of chylothorax after congenital heart surgery in children.

Background: Chylothorax is a rare but serious postoperative condition with a high rate of morbidity and may lead to the mortality of children undergoing congenital heart disease (CHD) surgery. This study evaluated the specific surgical procedures associated with the higher risk of postoperative chylothorax.

Methods: We assessed 435 cases undergoing CHD surgery between April 2003 and May 2006.

Does combined antegrade-retrograde cardioplegia have any superiority over antegrade cardioplegia?

Background: In a prospective randomised clinical study we assessed and compared antegrade vs. combined antegrade-retrograde cardioplegia in patients who underwent elective coronary artery by pass grafting.

Methods: Between March 2006 and January 2007, 87 consecutive patients were randomly divided into two groups.

Cardiac echinococcosis with negative serologies: a report of two cases.

Cardiac involvement in hydatid cyst disease is uncommon, occurring in approximately 2% of hydatid cases. Two cases of cardiac hydatid cysts with negative serologic tests are reported herein. In Case 1, the patient underwent surgery to remove cysts from the liver and 10 years later presented with symptoms and signs of ischaemic heart disease.

Left atrial appendage aneurysm: a rare cause of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.

Left atrial appendage aneurysm is a rare abnormality and a diagnostic dilemma in patients with cardiomegaly. Patients most commonly present with atrial tachyarrhythmias and thromboembolic events. Resection of the aneurysm is usually curative.