Statistical analysis plan for the Balanced Solution versus Saline in Intensive Care Study (BaSICS).

Objective: To report the statistical analysis plan (first version) for the Balanced Solutions versus Saline in Intensive Care Study (BaSICS).

Methods: BaSICS is a multicenter factorial randomized controlled trial that will assess the effects of Plasma-Lyte 148 versus 0.9% saline as the fluid of choice in critically ill patients, as well as the effects of a slow (333mL/h) versus rapid (999mL/h) infusion speed during fluid challenges, on important patient outcomes.

Mitral annulus morphologic and functional analysis using real time tridimensional echocardiography in patients submitted to unsupported mitral valve repair.

Introduction: Mitral valve repair is the treatment of choice to correct mitral insufficiency, although the literature related to mitral valve annulus behavior after mitral repair without use of prosthetic rings is scarce.

Objective: To analyze mitral annulus morphology and function using real time tridimensional echocardiography in individuals submitted to mitral valve repair with Double Teflon technique.

Methods: Fourteen patients with mitral valve insufficiency secondary to mixomatous degeneration that were submitted to mitral valve repair with the Double Teflon technique were included.

Flowmetry of left internal thoracic artery graft to left anterior descending artery: comparison between on-pump and off-pump surgery.

Background: Off-pump coronary bypass grafting (OPCAB) has become a widely used technique. Coronary flowmetry is the most common method employed to assess graft patency, nevertheless, few studies compare flow patterns between ONCAB and OPCAB surgery. The objective of this study was to compare flowmetry data in left internal mammary artery grafts bypasses to the left anterior descendent artery.

Mitral valve repair by Double Teflon technique: cardiac remodeling analysis by tridimensional echocardiography.

Introduction: Mitral valve repair is the treatment of choice to correct mitral insufficiency. Although the literature related to left atrial and ventricular behavior after mitral repair without use of prosthetic rings is scarce.

Objective: To analyze cardiac morphology and function using real time tridimensional echocardiography in individuals submitted to mitral valve repair with Double Teflon technique.

Mitral valve surgery using right anterolateral thoracotomy: is the aortic cannulation a safety procedure?

Introduction: The right anterolateral thoracotomy is an alternative technique for surgical approach of mitral valve. In these cases, femoral-femoral bypass still has been used, rising occurrence of complications related to femoral cannulation.

Objective: Describe the technique and results of mitral valve treatment by right anterolateral thoracotomy using aortic cannulation for cardiac pulmonary bypass (CPB).

Off-pump correction of coronary fistula: the single suture technique approach.

The single suture technique was developed to obtain stabilization and exposure of all all coronary branches during off-pump coronary artery bypass, while maintaining hemodynamic stabilily during the procedure. We describe the use of this technique during an off-pump correction of a coronary artery fistula associated with right coronary dilatation. The suggested technique is quicker and less complex than on-pump surgery.

Mitral valve repair in rheumatic patients with mitral insuficiency: twenty years of techniques and results.

Objective: Mitral valve repair in rheumatic patients is still a challenge. The purpose of this study is to analyze the results of mitral valve repair in rheumatic patients in the Heart Institute University of Sao Paulo Medical School.

Methods: Were analyzed retrospectively, between 1985 and 2005, 330 patients submitted to mitral valve repair in the Heart Institute of São Paulo.

Particulate emboli capture by an intra-aortic filter device during aortic valve replacement.

Objective: This study aims to analyze the embolic activity in patients with calcified aortic stenosis who underwent aortic valve replacement using intra-aortic filtration with an EMBOL-X System device (Edwards Lifesciences Inc., Mountain View, CA, USA).

Methods: From January 2007 to July 2007, 13 consecutive patients with calcified aortic stenosis, who underwent isolated aortic valve replacement using intra-aortic filtration by an EMBOL-X System for 5 minutes after aortic clamp release, were evaluated.

Mitral valve repair with "Double Teflon" technique: 10-year results.

Objective: The purpose of this paper is to present the late clinical results of mitral valve repair with the "Double Teflon" technique.

Methods: "Double Teflon" technique consists of a quadrangular resection of the posterior leaflet, annulus plication with "pledgetted" stitches over a Teflon patch, and leaflet suture. Between 1994 and 2003, 133 patients with degenerative mitral insufficiency due to ruptured or elongated chordae in the posterior leaflet underwent repair with this technique.

Patient with von Willebrand disease undergoing mitral valve repair: a strategy for the control of the coagulopathy.

We report a case of a 60 year-old woman with von Willebrand disease type I that was submitted to a mitral valve repair. The patient needed special care due coagulopathy and needed VIII factor (VIIIf) and von Willebrand factor (vWf), before, during and after surgery. There was no complication during or after surgery.

"Less stented" bovine pericardial xenograft: a new concept.

The in vitro hemodynamic behavior of a bovine pericardium xenograft with discontinuity of the annular support, named the "Less Stented" bovine pericardial xenograft, was analyzed. A "Less Stented" bovine pericardial xenograft consisting of a glutaraldehyde-treated bovine pericardium prosthesis manufactured in Braile Biomédica Ltd, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil, was used according to the same protocols of the stented bioprosthesis manufacturer. Bovine pericardial xenografts were tested in a pulse simulator and analyzed in a cardiac simulator, with respect to the transvalvular gradient, regurgitant fraction and leakage volume, discharge coefficient, performance, and efficiency index.