Modified Port-Access Technique for the Treatment of Aortic Dissection after Previous Cardiac Surgery.

One of the most challenging conditions to manage after previous cardiac surgery is chronic dissection of the ascending aorta. We operated on a 54-year-old man who had aortic dissection in addition to large aortic dimensions very close to the sternum, severe aortic regurgitation, and a false lumen in the descending aorta. We used a combination of perfusion and myocardial protection techniques, arising from port-access technology, that enabled antegrade flow into the aorta, endoclamping of the ascending aorta, the administration of cardioplegic solution before opening the sternum, and left ventricular venting to prevent ventricular distention.

Early and Mid-term Outcome of the St. Jude Medical Regent 19-mm Aortic Valve Mechanical Prosthesis. Functional and Haemodynamic Evaluation.

Background And Objectives: The aim of the present study is to report the early and mid-term clinical and haemodynamic results of the St Jude Medical Regent 19-mm aortic mechanical prothesis (SJMR-19).

Materials And Methods: Between January 2002 and January 2012, 265 patients with aortic valve disease underwent AVR (Aortic Valve Replacement) with a SJMR-19 (St Jude Medical Regent Nr.19).

Surgical treatment of a giant unruptured aneurysm of the noncoronary sinus of Valsalva: a case report.

Background: A sinus of Valsalva aneurysm is a rare cardiac anomaly which may be acquired or congenital. The main associated symptoms are conduction disturbances, myocardial ischemia, and syncopes.

Case Presentation: In this report we describe a 52-year-old Albanian woman from Kosovo with an unruptured aneurysm of 74×60 mm of the noncoronary sinus of Valsalva presenting dyspnea, jugular distension, and tachycardia due to cardiac compression.

A rare coronary anomaly consisting of a single right coronary ostium in an adult undergoing surgical coronary revascularization: a case report and review of the literature.

Background: Coronary arteries originating from the right coronary ostium in the ascending aorta represent a very rare anatomic presentation. Also, the presence of a single coronary ostium is an extremely rare finding.

Case Presentation: We present the case of a 74-year-old Albanian man from Kosovo.

Early Clinical Outcome of Acute Poisoning Cases Treated in Intensive Care Unit.

Introduction: A variety of factors have influenced the significant incidence of morbidity and mortality of acute poisoning and the timely recognition and properly management of critically ill poisoned patients is a key component. The aim of this study is to reveal the reasons for ICU admission of acutely poisoned patients, the main factors influencing the course and outcome of patients in relation with clinical approaches applied, available resources and infrastructure of treatment.

Materials And Methods: This is a retrospective study based on most reachable variables extracted from patients' medical records and ED registers of patients admitted at the medical ICU of "Mother Teresa" University Hospital in Tirana over two (2012-2013) years.

Early and mid-term outcome in terms of functional and hemodynamic performance of the st. Jude regent 19-mm aortic mechanical prosthesis versus 19-mm carpentier edwards aortic biological prosthesis.

Background: The aim of the present study is to compare the early and mid-term clinical and hemodynamic results of the aortic valve replacement (AVR) with a St Jude Medical Regent 19-mm prosthesis (SJMR-19) versus Carpentied-Edwars bovine pericardial 19-mm valve (CE-19).

Methods: Between January 2002 and January 2012, 265 patients (Group I) and 58 patients (Group II) with underwent AVR with a SJMR-19 and CE-19 respectively. There were no significant differences between groups regarding the demographic and preoperative echocardiographic data.

Unusual localization of a primary pleomorphic malignant fibrous histiocytoma on the mitral valve: a case report and review of the literature.

Introduction: It has been reported that cardiac malignant fibrous histiocytomas occur more frequently in the left side of the heart, especially in the left atrium, but rarely invade the mitral valve. We present a case with a giant malignant fibrous histiocytoma with an unusual localization involving almost the entire left atrium, mitral valve, and left superior pulmonary vein.

Case Presentation: We describe the case of a 54-year-old woman from Kosovo admitted to our emergency department with dyspnea.

Primary Cardiac Synovial Sarcoma Originating From the Mitral Valve Causing Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction.

An 11-year-old boy was admitted with complaints of syncope and convulsion. Echocardiogram revealed a mass measuring 2 × 4 cm related to the mitral subvalvular apparatus. The mass, which appeared to be attached to the anterolateral papillary muscle, protruded into the left ventricular outflow tract causing intermittent obstruction.

Acquired Gerbode defect following endocarditis of the tricuspid valve: a case report and literature review.

The Gerbode's defect is a communication between the left ventricle and right atrium. It is usually congenital, but rarely is acquired, as a complication of endocarditis, myocardial infarction, trauma, or after previous cardiac surgery. The acquired Gerbode defect with involvement of the tricuspid valve acquired after bacterial endocarditis can be challenging to repair.

Hematological Changes in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: a Prospective Study.

Objectives: Removal of pro inflammatory stimuli after CABG, wound closure and the regenerative ability of the bone marrow will ensure a gradual recovery of hematological parameters. The aim of this study was to assess the hematological changes after CABG.

Materials And Methods: A prospective cohort study included 164 consecutive patients undergoing on pump CABG surgery between January 2012 and January 2013.

Papillary fibroelastoma of the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve mimicking vegetation.

Introduction: The papillary fibroelastoma (PFE) is a rare and benign primary cardiac tumor, and the mostly frequently found tumor occurring in cardiac valves.

Case Presentation: We describe a 52 year old female presenting a history of 2 weeks of fever due to wound infection after breast's surgery. A preoperative echocardiography demonstrated a mass >1cm(2) originating from the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve mimicking vegetation.

Papillary fibroelastoma of the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve mimicking vegetation.

The papillary fibroelastoma (PFE) is a rare and benign primary cardiac tumor, and the most frequently found tumor occurring in the cardiac valves. With the introduction of echocardiography, the diagnosis of these tumors in living patients has been reported sporadically. The PFEs have been found most often on valve leaflets, chordae tendineae, and both ventricles.