[Unruptured aneurysm of non-coronary sinus of Valsalva mimicking a right atrial mass].

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysms are extremely rare with a predominance in the Asian population. The clinical presentation may be ambiguous, depending on which sinus is affected and on the conditions of the lesion. We report a case of a 33-year-old patient with Down syndrome.

[Pulmonary artery catheterization in 9071 cardiac surgery patients: a review of complications].

Background: The safety of pulmonary artery catheterization has been questioned. We report our experience on the incidence of complications in a large series of patients requiring cardiac operations by evaluating the learning curve of the operators.

Methods: Since 1988 at our Institution a pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) register records the following data from each patient: type of surgical procedure, insertion site of the venous introducer, type of PAC used, final position of the catheter, and complications associated with central venous access and those determined by PAC positioning and stay.

[Measurement of cardiac output with continuous thermodilution. b1 Clinical experience with the Intellicath-Vigilans system].

Background: Thermodilution cardiac output measurements are commonly obtained by a manual bolus technique with a pulmonary artery catheter.

Methods: A new thermodilution catheter has been developed which utilizes an integral thermal filament and provides semicontinuous online cardiac output. The response of this new device in 25 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting was examined.

[Propofol in coronary diseases. Haemodynamic evaluation of some anesthetic regimes].

The haemodynamic effect of two regimens of propofol-fentanyl anaesthesia versus a standard isoflurane-fentanyl anaesthesia were compared perioperatively in 30 patients with good left ventricular function undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Anaesthesia was induced in all patients with fentanyl 14 micrograms/kg, pancuronium 0.1 mg/kg, and thiopental 1 mg/kg.

[Effects of clonidine vs trinitroglycerin on myocardial oxygen balance and on pulmonary gas exchange after myocardial revascularization].

The authors examined the effects of clonidine, a preferential alpha-adrenergic agonist, upon myocardial oxygen balance and pulmonary function during the perioperative period in patients undergoing CABG surgery. Anesthesia was provided by fentanyl infusion reaching the final dose of 100 micrograms.kg.