Amplification of the genes that codify endothelin-1 and its receptors in rheumatic mitral valves.

Background: Cardiopathies are high prevalence conditions. Among them, rheumatic carditis is of high relevance in developing countries. Left cardiac chamber changes are associated to endothelial dysfunction and ET-1 levels increase.

Axillary artery in cardiopulmonary bypass: indications and results.

Objectives: To determine indications and results of axillary artery cannulation for cardiopulmonary bypass.

Methods: From January 2005 through December 2008, axillary artery cannulation was used in 48 patients. Mean age was 62 +/- 11 years and 33 (69%) patients were males.

Results of the establishment of an organizational model in a cardiovascular surgery service.

Objective: Increasing complexity of patients referred to cardiac surgery demands more effective heart centers, in order to maintain the same quality. The aim of this study is to examine the short-term effect of adoption of an organizational model on surgical outcomes.

Methods: From January 2006 to June 2007, 367 consecutive adult patients underwent cardiovascular surgery.

Involution of aneurysmal collateral arteries after correction of aortic coarctation.

A 47 year-old man with aortic coarctation had undergone extra-anatomic bypass through a left thoracotomy. He presented 10 years later with uncontrolled arterial hypertension due to residual aortic coarctation, graft obstruction and multiple collateral artery aneurysms between the subclavian artery and the aorta. He underwent extra-anatomic correction between the ascending aorta to descending aorta through a median sternotomy with the aid of conventional cardiopulmonary bypass.

Recurrent ventricular arrhythmia after coronary artery bypass grafting treated with radiofrequency catheter ablation.

A 63-year-old diabetic woman was emergently submitted to coronary artery bypass grafting in the setting of acute myocardial infarction. Recurrent, drug-refractory episodes of ventricular arrhythmia occurred for 2 weeks postoperatively, despite no documentation of ongoing myocardial ischemia and optimum medical treatment. Ventricular arrhythmia was initiated by premature ventricular contractions originating from the Purkinje system within the infarct border zone.

Use of centrifugal pump and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as cardiopulmonary support in pediatric cardiovascular surgery.

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is a well-documented resuscitation method in patients with severe hemodynamic and/or respiratory impairment.

Objective: To describe several aspects related to the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in a pediatric heart center and determine its immediate and late outcomes.

Methods: Between October 2005 and January 2007, 10 patients who were submitted to pediatric cardiac surgery underwent extracorporeal membrane oxygenation implant.

Slow inotropic response of intact left ventricle to sudden dilation critically depends on a myocardial dialysable factor.

1. Slow inotropic response following a sudden myocardium stretch seems to be an autocrine/paracrine mechanism the basis of which is not yet completely defined. 2.

Combined complex open heart surgery and infra-renal aortic aneurysm repair.

The optimal management of patients with combined ischemic and/or valvular heart disease and abdominal aortic aneurysm is still a matter of debate. A 60-year-old woman presented with a large infra-renal aortic aneurysm. Preoperative workup revealed ischemic cardiomyopathy and aortic regurgitation.