Single Low-Volume Center Experience with Frozen Elephant Trunk in Acute Type A Aortic Dissections.

Background:  Acute Type A aortic dissection (AAAD) is a surgical emergency. In patients with arch and descending aorta involvement (DeBakey Type I), a total aortic arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk (FET) could favor false lumen thrombosis and improve long-term results. The authors hereby present their experience with this technique in a single low-volume center, to assess whether the technique is feasible to treat such disease.

Chronic Type A Aortic Dissection and Giant Aortic Root Aneurysm After Aortic Valve Replacement.

We describe the case of a 61-year-old male with a giant aortic root aneurysm associated with chronic aortic Type A dissection. The patient had been operated on 16 years before due to aortic annuloectasia with mechanical valve replacement. The patient underwent revision aortic surgery with a Bentall-De Bono operation with Svensson modification, using a #21 On-X Valsalva mechanical valve conduit.

Effect of educational outreach on general practice prescribing of antibiotics and antidepressants: a two-year randomised controlled trial.

Objective: Prescribing of broad spectrum antibiotics and antidepressants in general practice often does not accord with guidelines. The aim was to determine the effectiveness of educational outreach in improving the prescribing of selected antibiotics and antidepressants, and whether the effect is sustained for two years.

Design: Single blind randomized trial.