Key-lock type mini-sternotomy: an alternative approach for adult cardiac operations.

An alternative technique for minimally invasive aortic valve replacement and atrial septal defect repair is described. After a 5-cm skin incision, a key-lock type sternotomy is made. Excellent exposure of the right atrium and aortic valve was achieved.

Endovascular treatment of postpartum deep venous thrombosis: report of three cases.

Pregnancy and the postpartum period are generally considered as contraindications for thrombolysis. We evaluate in this report the safety and effectiveness of using ultrasound-accelerated catheter-directed thrombolysis (UACDT) in treating three symptomatic postpartum deep vein thrombosis (DVT). UACDT was performed using a recombinant human tissue plasminogen activator (alteplase) which was delivered using the EKOS EkoSonic® system.

Successful treatment of central venous catheter induced superior vena cava syndrome with ultrasound accelerated catheter-directed thrombolysis.

Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome results from obstruction of flow through the vessel either by external compression or thrombosis. External compression by intrathoracic neoplasms is the most common etiology, especially lung cancer and lymphoma. Thrombosis is becoming increasingly common due to the use of indwelling catheters and implantable central venous access devices.

US-accelerated catheter-directed thrombolysis for the treatment of deep venous thrombosis.

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of ultrasonography (US)-accelerated catheter-directed thrombolysis for the treatment of deep venous thrombosis.

Materials And Methods: A total of 26 patients with deep venous thrombosis were prospectively selected for thrombolysis. Overall, 80.

Endovenous laser ablation of incompetent perforating veins with 1470 nm, 400 μm radial fiber.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) of incompetent perforating veins (IPVs) with 1470 nm laser with 400 μm radial fiber.

Background Data: EVLA for perforating veins can be performed with insignificant postprocedural morbidity. This allows treatment to be offered to elderly patients with comorbidities that would preclude anesthesia for surgical treatment or subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS).

Dexmedetomidine in cardiac surgery patients who fail extubation and present with a delirium state.

Background: We evaluated the use of dexmedetomidine to facilitate the weaning of delirious postoperative patients from mechanical ventilation.

Methods: We included 72 consecutive patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery in this prospective observational study. Each patient had failed at least 1 trial of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and had agitation.

Right coronary artery with high takeoff.

Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery is an extremely rare anomaly. We describe the case of a patient whose right coronary artery was arising from the ascending aorta with high takeoff. We diagnosed the anomaly incidentally during the operation.

A case of prosthetic mitral valve Brucella endocarditis complicated with torsades de pointes.

Brucella endocarditis is a zoonosis transmitted by contaminated dairy products. Endocarditis is a rare complication of brucellosis and mainly the aortic valve is infected. We present the case of a female patient with prosthetic mitral valve endocarditis associated with QT prolongation and torsades de pointes.

Role of physiological state 'normothermia' in internal thoracic artery spasm after harvesting.

Objective: Vasospasm is often faced after the operative preparation of internal thoracic artery. Different vasodilating pharmacological agents are being used to eliminate this problem. During the preparation of internal thoracic artery, normal, local, and systemic temperatures are lost.

[Thoracic aortic transection following blunt trauma: two case reports].

Acute aortic transection after blunt trauma is a clinical situation, with a high mortality. When the other system injuries are predominant, the diagnosis could be possible only if it would be considered. These type of cases are usually die.