Profiling the Biomechanical Responses to Workload on the Human Myocyte to Explore the Concept of Myocardial Fatigue and Reversibility: Rationale and Design of the POWER Heart Failure Study.

It remains unclear why some patients develop heart failure without evidence of structural damage. One theory relates to impaired myocardial energetics and ventricular-arterial decoupling as the heart works against adverse mechanical load. In this original study, we propose the novel concept of myocardial fatigue to capture this phenomenon and aim to investigate this using human cardiomyocytes subjected to a modern work-loop contractility model that closely mimics in vivo cardiac cycles.

Somatosensory-evoked potential-guided intercostal artery reimplantation in thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm surgery.

Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate the use of somatosensory-evokedpotential (SSEP) monitoring on intercostal artery reimplantation (IAR) and spinal cord ischemia rates during thoracoabdominal ortic aneurysm repair.

Methods: Fifty-two patients had thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair with IAR under SSEP guidance and 79 patients had repair with routine IAR without SSEP guidance from 1999 to 2010.

Results: No differences were observed between the two groups in age (63.

Hybrid minimally invasive extraction of atrial clot avoids redo sternotomy in Jehovah's Witness.

We report the novel use of the AngioVac device in a percutaneous hybrid approach to remove a large right atrial clot as an effective and potentially lifesaving alternative to a very high-risk redo-sternotomy in a Jehovah's Witness patient.

Thoracic complications of nasogastric tube: review of safe practice.

Objectives: Insertion of a nasogastric tube, though a common clinical procedure, can produce unexpected complications. We sought to analyse the procedure, and explore means to improve its safety.

Methods: We present a case with a thoracic complication.

A diagnostic challenge--an unusual right atrial mass, 12 years following atrial septal defect surgery.

A young girl presented with a right atrial mass, 12 years following ostium secundum atrial septal defect surgery. The unusual pathology and the various diagnostic considerations for an atrial mass are discussed.

Cardiac tamponade: a rare complication after pulmonary lobectomy.

Objective: Pulmonary lobectomy for lung cancer is a well-established and safe operation. This report serves to highlight an important complication and an underlying essential surgical principle when performing pulmonary resections, to avoid a potentially fatal outcome.

Methods: A case report is presented.

Heterotaxy syndrome with azygous continuation-causing pseudo Budd-Chiari syndrome after cardiopulmonary bypass.

Heterotaxy syndrome with interruption of the inferior vena cava and direct hepatic vein inflow into the right atrium has important implications for cardiac surgery. We report a case causing pseudo Budd-Chiari syndrome after cardiopulmonary bypass.

Review of pediatric airway malacia and its management, with emphasis on stenting.

Malacia of the pediatric airway presents itself in a variety of clinical circumstances. Pediatric airway stenting is a more recent treatment modality. Complications may necessitate stent removal.