[Open surgical treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. Experience in 45 patients].

Background: Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) is an infrequent disease and demands a highly specialized and experienced management. Open repair (OR) is the gold standard but it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Paraplegia and renal failure are the most important complications.

[Early and late morbidity and mortality of aortic valve replacement with mechanical or biological prostheses during the last decade: the gold standard].

Background: There is a growing interest in alternative techniques for aortic valve replacement (AVR). Therefore it is important to have updated results of conventional AYR as a valid comparative standard.

Aim: To evaluate both perioperative and late morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing conventional AVR, with either mechanical (RVAm) or biological (RVAb) prostheses.

[Coronary artery surgery in the first 24 hours after myocardial infarction].

Background: Thrombolysis and angioplasty in the first hours after myocardial infarction minimize necrosis, leading to better early and late survival, but these therapies have limited effect in patients with three-vessel disease and cardiogenic shock. Emergency coronary surgery is an alternative treatment in some cases.

Aim: To assess perioperative complications, mortality and long-term survival in patients undergoing coronary surgery within 24 h of myocardial infarction.