Saphenous vein harvest with SaphLITE system versus conventional technique: a prospective, randomized study.

Background: Minimally invasive saphenous vein harvest (MIVH) techniques have been evaluated and reported with heterogeneous results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of MIVH on the outcomes of postoperative leg wound healing and pain using the SaphLITE retractor system.

Methods: Two hundred twenty-five patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting surgery were randomized to receive either SaphLITE vein harvest (SVH) or conventional open vein harvest (OVH).

Coronary artery bypass surgery with heparin-coated perfusion circuits and low-dose heparinization.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of heparin-coated perfusion circuits with low-dose heparinization and centrifugal pumping compared with the standard method during coronary artery bypass grafting.

Design: Prospective, randomized, single-blind clinical trial.

Setting: A primary care institution.

Mycotic pulmonary artery aneurysm: an unusual complication of ventriculo-atrial shunt.

A 23-year-old man with a previous ventriculo-atrial shunt for a pinealoma developed a febrile illness and heart murmur. The condition was thought to be caused by subacute bacterial endocarditis. Further investigation, however, revealed a mycotic left pulmonary artery aneurysm, which was treated by means of a left pneumonectomy with cardiopulmonary bypass.