Case report: ST-elevation myocardial infarction complications. How far will you go?

Herein, we review the critical role of a multi-disciplinary team approach in managing the intricate complications of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS). Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) implantation represents a potentially life-saving intervention, often serving as a bridge to heart transplantation (HTx). However, complications from prior interventions, in patients receiving MCS due to STEMI-CS, may present additional challenges to successful HTx candidacy.

Outcome of the first successful heart-lung transplantation in the Baltic countries.

Successful heart-lung complex transplantation was performed in a 48-year-old man. During the postoperative period, M. tuberculosis infection was diagnosed, and the treatment subsequently started.

Matrix metalloproteinase-3 gene polymorphism and dilatative pathology of ascending thoracic aorta.

Matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) degrades extracellular matrix and may lead to development of dilatative pathology of ascending thoracic aorta. Expression of MMP-3 depends upon the 5A/6A polymorphism in the promoter region. An increased number of 5A alleles leads to high expression of MMP-3.

Lung edema formation during cold perfusion: important differences between rat and porcine lung.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different perfusion pressures on edema formation during cold flush perfusion with the 2 most commonly used preservation solutions in clinical lung transplantation: Euro-Collins and Perfadex solutions.

Methods: Isolated rat and porcine lungs were perfused for 3 minutes at 4 degrees C to 8 degrees C at a pressure of either 10, 15 or 20 mm Hg. Weight gain was recorded continuously.

The influence of cardiopulmonary bypass on respiratory dysfunction in early postoperative period.

Background And Objective: Pulmonary dysfunction is one of the most serious problems in an early postoperative period after cardiac surgery. This study was designed to reveal the impact of performed cardiopulmonary bypass on pulmonary function during early postoperative period by evaluating the intrapulmonary shunt.

Material And Methods: Twenty-one patients undergoing elective myocardial revascularization surgery were analyzed.

Transplantation of lungs from non-heart-beating donors after functional assessment ex vivo.

Background: If lungs from patients dying of heart attacks are to serve as donor organs in a safe way, their function should be properly assessed before transplantation. The aim of this study was to investigate donor lung function evaluation in a realistic large animal model.

Methods: Twelve 60-kg pigs were used.

[The first clinical experience and technical peculiarities of mitral valve homograft implantation].

Introduction: Surgical interventions because of mitral valve disease have been ascribed since 1951. Many changes within mitral valve replacement have passed including closed and open mitral commissurotomy, mitral valve repair operations implantation of mechanical, biological heart valve and finally use of mitral valve homograft. Despite changes in chirurgical tactics and medico-technical environment, mitral valve homograft implantation remains one of the most complex surgical interventions.

[Tracheostomy and prolonged artificial ventilation of patients after heart surgery].

Dysfunction of respiratory system after open heart surgery is one of the main problems in postoperative period. When mechanical ventilation is prolonged because of different causes, tracheostomy is usually performed, but the optimal time is still being discussed. In order to elucidate the influence of tracheostomy to subsequent course of disease we reviewed the indications, frequency and complications of postoperative tracheostomies performed in 1998-2000 in Cardiosurgical clinic after open heart surgery.