Effectiveness of prophylactic levosimendan in patients with impaired left ventricular function undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting: a randomized pilot study.

Objectives: Perioperative low cardiac output syndrome occurs in 3-14% of patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), leading to significant increase in major morbidity and mortality. Considering the unique pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties of levosimendan, we conducted a prospective, double-blind, randomized pilot study to evaluate the effectiveness of prophylactic levosimendan in patients with impaired left ventricular function undergoing CABG.

Methods: Thirty-two patients undergoing CABG with low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≤ 40%) were randomized to receive either a continuous infusion of levosimendan at a dose of 0.

Minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation improves quality of life after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Objectives: The effect on postoperative health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery with conventional cardiopulmonary bypass (cCPB) and off-pump surgery has been investigated extensively; however, there are no studies focusing on HRQoL after surgery with minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation (MiECC). Therefore, we sought to prospectively investigate the effect of MiECC on postoperative HRQoL when compared with cCPB in patients undergoing CABG over a short-term (3-month) follow-up period.

Methods: Sixty patients scheduled for elective CABG surgery were randomly assigned into two groups: those who had surgery on MiECC system (n = 30) and those who underwent CABG using cCPB (n = 30).

Massive chest wall resection and reconstruction for malignant disease.

Objective: Malignant chest wall tumors are rare neoplasms. Resection with wide-free margins is an important prognostic factor, and massive chest wall resection and reconstruction are often necessary. A recent case series of 20 consecutive patients is reported in order to find any possible correlation between tumor histology, extent of resection, type of reconstruction, and adjuvant treatment with short- and long-term outcomes.

Repair of post-intubation tracheoesophageal fistulae through the left pre-sternocleidomastoid approach: a recent case series of 13 patients.

Objective: Post-intubation tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is a late complication of tracheotomy, while membranous trachea laceration during percutaneous dilational tracheostomy is implicated in the generation of early post-tracheotomy TEF. Surgical repair is the only viable option for these patients and the technique of repair depends on a variety of factors.

Methods: Totally 13 patients (mean age: 54.

Actinomyces israelii: a rare cause of thoracic empyema.

Actinomyces israelii usually causes chronic suppurative and granulomatous infections. Isolated pleural effusion due to Actinomycosis is rare. This report describes an unusual case of thoracic empyema caused by A.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic resection of a bronchogenic esophageal cyst.

Bronchogenic cysts are lesions of congenital origin derived from the primitive foregut. The usual presentation of bronchogenic cyst in the mediastinum is related to cyst infection or adjacent organs compression. A case of a bronchogenic esophageal cyst presenting with progressive dysphagia in a 46-year-old man is described.

Primary sternal tuberculosis mimicking anterior chest wall tumor: case report.

A case of a sternal mass mimicking a chest wall tumor and finally diagnosed as primary sternal tuberculosis is presented. Fine needle biopsy was inconclusive and surgery included excision and drainage of a large abscess in the soft tissues around the involved bone. Pathology revealed multiple granulomatous and necrotic lesions consistent with tuberculous osteomyelitis.

Modified pleural tenting for prevention of anastomotic leak after Ivor Lewis esophagogastrectomy.

Background: The most dangerous complication following esophagogastrectomy for esophageal cancer is anastomotic leakage. Surgical interventions described did not have a major impact in reducing the risk of occurrence. On the other hand, pleural tenting has been used for more than a decade by thoracic surgeons to prevent prolonged air leak after formal upper lobectomy with excellent results.

Totally implantable central venous access ports. Analysis of 700 cases.

Background And Objectives: Vascular access has great importance in the treatment of patients submitted to prolonged chemotherapy. Purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of the percutaneous insertion and use of totally implantable central venous access ports (TICVAP).

Methods: During a 10-year period, 700 TICVAP were inserted into cancer patients for chemotherapy.

Primary pulmonary mucinous cystadenocarcinoma: a case report.

Primary pulmonary mucinous cystadenocarcinoma (PMCAC) is an extremely rare cystic neoplasm. A case of a 56-year-old male with a cystic lesion of the right lower lobe is described. Preoperative fine needle aspiration cytology and bronchoscopy were inconclusive.

Giant mediastinal teratoma presenting with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Mediastinum is a common site where benign tumors, like teratomas, can develop. Usually, these lesions do not cause any symptoms and the diagnosis is reached accidentally. As they enlarge they may cause symptoms by compressing the nearby structures of the thorax, mostly the trachea and the bronchi.

Primary glomangiosarcoma of the lung: A case report.

Background: Glomus tumor is an uncommon neoplasm derived from cells of the neuromyoarterial glomus or glomus body. Most glomus tumours occur in the dermis and subcutaneous tissues. A case of a primary pulmonary glomus tumour originating in the right upper lobe is presented.

Renal Artery Thrombosis following Lobectomy for Lung Cancer.

Acute renal arterial thrombosis is a rare but very urgent situation demanding immediate treatment. It is characterized by unspecific symptomatology which often misleads the clinicians. As a result, precious time can be lost until the correct diagnosis is reached.