Publications by authors named "Heinz Schima"

Background: This study assessed the feasibility of stent graft treatment of ascending aortic dissections in a porcine in vitro model.

Methods: The entire thoracic aortic aorta including the supraaortic branches was harvested from 12 adult pigs and an intimal tear was artificially created. The aortic annulus was then sewn into a silicon ring of a driving chamber.

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Objective: Fixed pulmonary hypertension is a contraindication for cardiac transplantation because of the increased risk of donor heart failure. We sought to determine whether left ventricular assist devices improve fixed pulmonary hypertension in cardiac transplant candidates to enable safe cardiac transplantation.

Methods: Thirty-five consecutive cardiac transplant candidates (age 56 +/- 6 years, 88.

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Objective: We have previously shown that fixed pulmonary hypertension in cardiac transplant candidates can be lowered using left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). The post-transplant survival of these patients is uncertain as pulmonary hypertension may reappear, possibly affecting post-transplant survival.

Materials And Methods: Between 01/2000 and 01/2005 a total of 26 cardiac transplant candidates (92% male; mean age 56.

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The effect of successful ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation on neurocognitive function in terminal heart failure is uncertain. Additionally, the different impact of continuous versus pulsatile blood flow devices is unknown. A total of 29 patients (mean age 53 years), surviving implantation of a ventricular assist device as bridge to transplantation were prospectively followed (continuous flow: Micromed DeBakey, n = 11; pulsatile flow: Thoratec and Novacor, n = 18).

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Background: Noncompliant prostheses are used in aortic replacement. We hypothesized that this leads to increased distension and wall stress in the aortic root because of the loss of ventriculo arterial coupling.

Methods: Pressure relations in the aortic root caused by changes of aortic elasticity simulating prosthetic aortic replacement were tested in a computer model.

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