One and One-Half Ventricle Repair: Role for Restricting Antegrade Pulmonary Blood Flow.

Background: In patients with hypoplastic subpulmonary ventricles, the one and one-half ventricle (1.5V) repair is an alternative to the Fontan procedure. However, in 1.

Ascending Aortoplasty in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Aortic Valve Procedures.

Background: The risks of ascending aortic dilation and indications for intervention in pediatric patients are unclear. Given the concern for aortic size mismatch with growth, larger ascending aortic diameters have been accepted in pediatric patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of ascending aortic reduction at the time of aortic valve surgery and its effect on recurrent aortic regurgitation.

1.5-Ventricle Repair Using Left Ventricle as the Subpulmonary Ventricle.

The use of the left ventricle as the subpulmonary ventricle to achieve a 1.5 or biventricular circulation is feasible in heterotaxy patients with complex intracardiac anatomy and acceptable right ventricular function. It is an alternative in patients who are not ideal candidates for single-ventricle palliation.

Contemporary Management of Acute Pulmonary Embolism.

Multiple treatment options beyond anticoagulation exist for massive and submassive pulmonary embolism to reduce mortality. For some patients, systemic thrombolytics and catheter-directed thrombolysis are appropriate interventions. For others, surgical pulmonary embolectomy can be life-saving.

Zone zero hybrid arch exclusion versus open total arch replacement.

Open total aortic arch replacement is one of the most technically demanding operations in cardiothoracic surgery, requiring operator expertise and intraoperative and postoperative teamwork. Despite current advancements in the field of open aortic surgery with regard to intraoperative brain protection and postoperative care, the morbidity and mortality associated with open total arch operations varies. Endovascular and hybrid procedures involving the use of zone 0 as a landing zone allow fair comparison between open total arch and hybrid operations.