Risk Factors for Prosthetic Pulmonary Valve Failure in Patients With Congenital Heart Disease.

The incidence and risk factors for prosthetic pulmonary valve failure (PPVF) should be considered when determining optimal timing for pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) in asymptomatic patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). The cumulative freedom for reintervention due to PPVF after 146 PVR in 114 patients with CHD was analyzed. Six potential risk factors (underlying cardiac defect, history of palliative procedures, number of previous cardiac interventions, hemodynamic indication for PVR, type of intervention, and age at intervention) were analyzed using Cox proportional hazard modeling.

Successful stent-grafting for perforation of the thoracic aorta by an intraaortic balloon pump.

Vascular complications associated with intraaortic balloon pump placement are quite common and predominantly related to femoral or iliac damage. Iatrogenic injury of the thoracic aorta is less usual and often fatal. Surgery for the lesions of the descending thoracic aorta still has a relatively high morbidity and mortality.