Outcome of patients listed for heart transplantation after a failed surgical ventricular restoration procedure.

Patients with end-stage ischemic cardiomyopathy (IHD) and left ventricular (LV) dilatation are increasingly treated by means of surgical ventricular restoration (SVR). In some patients, SVR can delay heart transplantation (HTX). We retrospectively analyzed our experience, trying to ascertain whether HTX after a failed SVR (fSVR) carried a greater mortality risk.

Multivessel minimally invasive coronary surgery with endoscopic support.

Background: Interest in minimally invasive coronary artery bypass (MICAB) grafting and the MICAB experience have been increasing. The purpose of this study was to develop the multivessel minimally invasive coronary revascularization technique and to estimate the effectiveness of the endoscopic support in this operation.

Methods: From January 1998 through April 1999, 190 patients (ages 38 to 72 years) underwent coronary revascularization without cardiopulmonary bypass.

Totally endoscopic myocardial revascularization: an experimental study.

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of performing totally endoscopic myocardial revascularization through the abdominal cavity.

Methods And Results: The right gastroepiploic artery was harvested endoscopically through three troacars in 46 human cadavers. Then, a 5-cm hole was made in the diaphragm to expose the right coronary artery.