Percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects: immediate and mid-term results.

Introduction: The incidence of percutaneous closure of secundum atrial septal defects (ASD) and patent foramen ovale (PFO), which has become an established therapy, is constantly increasing. In this study, which is the first in the Greek literature, we present the immediate and mid-term results from this intervention in our center.

Methods: From April 2004 to April 2008, 103 patients underwent percutaneous closure of an ASD or PFO using Amplatzer closure devices.

Prognostic significance of right ventricular diastolic function in thalassaemia major.

While left ventricular (LV) restrictive filling pattern is an ominous echocardiographic finding in thalassaemia major (TM), the prognostic significance of right ventricular (RV) diastolic function in patients with TM has not been thoroughly investigated. We studied 45 TM asymptomatic transfusion-dependent patients with normal LV systolic function by Doppler echocardiography. The 15-year cumulative survival rate was 34% in patients with RV restrictive filling pattern (RFP) and 82% in patients with RV non-RFP (log-rank = 10.

Modified (Valsalva graft) aortic root reimplantation for successful repair of pulmonary autograft aneurysm after Ross procedure.

Dilatation of the pulmonary autograft after the Ross procedure is a possible complication, necessitating aortic valve replacement. We present a case of a patient who developed pulmonary autograft dilatation and was treated successfully with valve-sparing aortic root reimplantation with a Valsalva graft.

Survival in thalassaemia major patients.

Background: The present study evaluated the prognostic significance of Doppler-demonstrated left ventricular (LV) restrictive filling pattern (RFP) in patients with thalassaemia major (TM), which carries an adverse cardiovascular prognosis.

Methods And Results: The study group comprised 45 asymptomatic transfusion-dependent patients with TM and normal LV systolic function. All patients were chelated with desferrioxamine.

Ross procedure: medium-term results.

Introduction: The Ross procedure is a safe alternative option for aortic valve replacement in selected patients. Here we present the medium-term results of our experience with this procedure.

Methods: Between December 1998 and January 2004, 21 patients (16 male, 5 female, mean age 42 years) underwent aortic valve replacement using the Ross operation.