Myocardial revascularization with radial and mammary arteries: initial and mid-term results.

Background: The radial artery is being used with increasing frequency instead of the saphenous vein in coronary artery bypass grafts. We analyzed the in-hospital and midterm results in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery in whom a combination of arterial grafts was used, including radial artery and one or both internal mammary arteries.

Methods: Between 1995 and 1998, 1,023 patients underwent coronary artery bypass surgery using arterial conduits.

Unsuspected embolic fungal endocarditis of an aortic conduit diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography.

A 66-year-old man with a history of hypertension and ascending aortic replacement because of a type A dissection had 3 successive embolic events (left lower limb, brain, and spleen). Two consecutive transesophageal echocardiography studies showed mobile masses in the ascending aorta. The patient was reoperated without a certain etiologic diagnosis, and an unsuspected fungal endocarditis caused by an unusual germ (Trichoderma species) was found.

Off-pump coronary operation at the Favaloro Foundation: results in 264 patients.

Background: Our objective was to determine whether complete myocardial revascularization "off pump" was feasible while maintaining the efficacy of conventional surgical techniques.

Methods: 264 patients were operated on between March 15, 1998, and August 26, 1999. A total of 218 (82.

[Coronary revascularization surgery with arterial conduits. The technic, results and 4-year follow-up in 1023 consecutive patients].

Objective: The main objective of the present study was to analyze the in-hospital and mid term results obtained in 1,023 consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) in whom a combination of arterial grafts was used: radial arteries (RA) and one or both internal mammary arteries (IMA).

Methods: From May 1995 to May 1998, 1,023 consecutive patients underwent CABG alone, using arterial conduits (AC) (one or two IMA and RA) for myocardial revascularization. The left internal mammary artery (LIMA) was employed as an "in situ" graft, and the right internal mammary artery (RIMA) as a free graft or "in situ" both in combination with the RA.

Manual debridement of the aortic valve in elderly patients with degenerative aortic stenosis.

Objective: We prospectively analyzed the short- and long-term results of manual debridement of the aortic valve in elderly patients with severe degenerative aortic stenosis.

Methods: Between September 1988 and January 1997, 103 patients aged 73.7 +/- 6 years with degenerative aortic stenosis underwent the manual debridement technique.