Novel applications of Dermabond (2-octyl -cyanoacrylate) in cardiothoracic surgery.

Dermabond (Ethicon Inc., Somerville, NJ, USA) is a cyanoacrylate adhesive normally indicated for skin wound closure. This study describes the emergency use of this adhesive to control bleeding close to coronary anastomoses in exceptional cases.

The Ross II procedure: pulmonary autograft in the mitral position.

The surgical management of mitral valve disease in women of childbearing age, young patients, and children with congenital mitral valve defects is made difficult by the prospect of lifelong anticoagulation. We suggest the use of a pulmonary autograft in the mitral position (Ross II procedure) as an alternative surgical technique. We present a review of the literature, historical perspectives, indications, selection criteria, and surgical technique for the Ross II procedure.

Should the internal thoracic artery be skeletonized?

Traditionally, the internal thoracic artery is harvested as a pedicle. In contemporary cardiac surgical practice, however, certain surgeons practice the internal thoracic artery-skeletonization technique. A systematic review of clinical studies reporting on the use of skeletonized internal thoracic arteries (SKT-ITA) has not yet been performed.

Relationship between connexins and atrial activation during human atrial fibrillation.

Introduction: Gap junctional connexin proteins (connexin40 [Cx40], connexin43 [Cx43]) are a determinant of myocardial conduction and are implicated in the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). We hypothesized that atrial activation pattern during AF is related to connexin expression and that this relationship is altered by AF-induced remodeling in the fibrillating atria of chronic AF.

Methods And Results: Isochronal activation mapping was performed during cardiac surgery on the right atria of patients in chronic AF (n = 13) using an epicardial electrode array.

Video assisted resternotomy in high-risk redo operations - the St Mary's experience.

The incidence of re-operative median sternotomy is rising. During resternotomy, catastrophic haemorrhage remains a dreaded complication. We describe our approach and experience with the combined use of Mayfield resternotomy retractor and anterior sternal retraction which allows division of adhesions between the sternum and mediastinal structures under direct vision with endoscopic or conventional instruments prior to resternotomy with a standard Hall reciprocating saw.