Effectiveness of Artificial Neochordae Implantation in Tricuspid Valve Repair.

Various techniques for treating tricuspid regurgitation have been described; however, because of scarce data about the long-term outcomes of different repairs, the optimal technique has not been established. We evaluated the effectiveness and durability of artificial neochordae implantation in the treatment of tricuspid regurgitation. From 2009 through 2014, 507 patients underwent tricuspid valve repair at our institution.

Mitral valve surgery using video-assisted right minithoracotomy and deep hypothermic perfusion in patients with previous cardiac operations.

Background: Redo-sternotomy for mitral valve (MV) surgery may be complex and attendant complications can be avoided using anterolateral right thoracotomy, deep hypothermia (20°C, nasopharyngeal) with low flow cardiopulmonary perfusion. Video-assisted minithoracotomy technique is a further improvement.

Methods: We performed 20 consecutive MV operations in patients with previous cardiac surgery using video-assisted right minithoracotomy, femoro-femoral bypass, deep hypothermia, low flow cardiopulmonary bypass without aortic cross-clamping.

Sequential in situ left internal thoracic artery grafting to the circumflex and right coronary artery areas.

Background: Several bilateral internal thoracic artery (ITA) grafting patterns have been proposed to enhance 3-vessel coronary artery revascularization. We present the outcomes of sequential in situ left ITA grafting to the circumflex and right coronary artery (RCA) areas.

Methods: Between January 2001 and September 2007, 102 patients with 3-vessel coronary artery disease underwent arterial myocardial revascularization with bilateral in situ ITA grafts.

Subxiphoid versus intercostal chest tubes: comparison of postoperative pain and pulmonary morbidities after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Chest tubes are one cause of pain after cardiac surgery. In a prospective, randomized study, we investigated the effects of the position of chest tubes on acute postoperative pain and pulmonary morbidities in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. From June through December 2010, 40 patients who underwent elective coronary artery bypass grafting were enrolled in the study.

Scimitar syndrome: a complex form of anomalous pulmonary venous return.

Scimitar syndrome, or pulmonary venolobar syndrome, is a rare congenital anomaly, in which all the right pulmonary veins drain into the inferior vena cava. In this study, we review the diagnostic features, clinical management, and surgical strategy in the Scimitar syndrome and discuss the significance of new generation diagnostic imaging methods for this rare anomaly. 

New technique for single-staged repair of aortic coarctation and coexisting cardiac disorder.

The management of adults with aortic coarctation and a coexisting cardiac disorder is still a surgical challenge. Single-staged procedures have lower postoperative morbidity and mortality rates than do 2-staged procedures. We present our experience with arch-to-descending aorta bypass grafting in combination with intracardiac or ascending aortic aneurysm repair.

Effects of thoracic epidural anesthesia on flow and endothelium of internal thoracic artery in coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Objectives: The internal thoracic artery (ITA) is the preferred conduit for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. The authors investigated whether thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) as an adjunct to general anesthesia (GA) can increase the blood flow of the ITA.

Design: A prospective randomized study.

Clinical outcomes of mitral valve repair in mitral regurgitation: a prospective analysis of 100 consecutive patients.

Objective: Mitral valve repair has become the procedure of choice for almost every type of mitral regurgitation (MR) in the current surgical era. We assessed clinical outcomes of mitral valve repair in severe MR.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 103 patients (61 male, 42 female, mean age 53.

A Mild Chest Trauma in an Infant who Developed Severe Pulmonary Hemorrhage.

Chest trauma, an important cause of morbidity and mortality, is the second most common cause of death in children under four years of age. Due to the different anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system in childhood, the injuries and consequences of chest trauma are also dissimilar. A seven-month-old male infant presented to the emergency clinic with cyanosis and respiratory distress.

[Comparison of the results of irrigated monopolar and bipolar radiofrequency ablation in the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation].

Objective: Chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) is a frequent arrhythmia in patients undergoing open-heart surgery. In this study, we compared the results of irrigated monopolar and bipolar radiofrequency (RF) ablation in the surgical treatment of AF.

Methods: Sixty-three patients with chronic AF, who underwent open cardiac surgery and concomitant irrigated RF ablation between October 2004 and January 2006, were retrospectively studied in two groups.

[Left ventricular mass regression after aortic valve replacement].

Objective: Our objective was to evaluate the degree of change in left ventricular mass index (LVMI) regression after aortic valve replacement (AVR) using three different valves.

Methods: Group 1 (n=17) included patients with bioprosthesis (Medtronic Hancock 2), Group 2 (n=21) included patients with mono-leaflet mechanical valve (Medtronic Hall), and Group 3 (n=17) included patients with bi-leaflet mechanical valve (St Jude). The mean ages of Group 1, 2 and 3 patients were 70.

Combination of right atrial and left ventricular myxoma.

Myxomas are common cardiac tumors that are managed by complete excision. The combination of a right atrial and left ventricular myxoma is very rare. We discuss a patient with right atrial and left ventricular myxoma who underwent successful surgical excision of both myxomas.

Combined internal mammary artery graft in coronary bypass: 18-year follow-up.

Graft preference is a key point for long-term patency in coronary artery bypass grafting. We present a patient with multivessel coronary artery disease who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting 18 years ago. Revascularization of the left coronary system was performed by using a combined internal mammary artery (IMA) graft, which consisted of an end-to-end anastomosis of left IMA (in situ) and right IMA (free), with the interposition of a small piece of vein.

Stuck mechanical valve in pregnancy.

Mechanical heart valve thrombosis during pregnancy is a challenging condition. We present a pregnant patient with stuck mechanical mitral valve. During the 36th week of pregnancy, she was admitted to our emergency clinic because of aggravated dyspnea, tachypnea, and cyanosis.

Coronary air embolism in off-pump surgery caused by blower-mister device.

Gaseous emboli caused by the blower-mister result in air locks within coronary vessels. We describe the case of a coronary air embolism caused by a blower-mister device on off-pump surgery. The tip of the device unexpectedly entered the coronary artery through arteriotomy and caused the air emboli.

Right coronary revascularization by coronary-coronary bypass with a segment of internal thoracic artery.

In certain coronary artery bypass grafting operations, the internal thoracic artery is not by itself adequate for complete arterial revascularization. Which graft should be used for revascularization of the right coronary artery is still a matter of debate. From August 2000 through July 2005, we performed coronary-coronary bypass grafting on 48 patients (77.