Video assisted thoracic surgery in a second trimester pregnant woman with thoracic empyema: a case report.

Background: An empyema is an infection of the pleural space that occurs most frequently secondary to the progression of pneumonia. The stages of empyema are based on pleural characteristics and reflect the risks of the condition for morbidity and mortality. Pregnancy is a risk factor for major complications of pneumonia, including empyema.

Surgical management of aortic valve disease in the elderly: A retrospective comparative study of valve choice using propensity score analysis.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Aortic valve dysfunction is the most common form of valvular heart disease. As the population continues to age, a greater number of patients will become candidates for aortic valve replacement (AVR); hence, prosthetic valve choice becomes of paramount importance.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 801 patients aged > or =65 years who underwent isolated AVR or AVR + coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) between January 1989 and June 2003 with a Carpentier Edwards Perimount (CEP) pericardial bioprosthesis (n = 398) or a St.

Is the St. Jude Medical mechanical valve an appropriate choice for elderly patients?: A long-term retrospective study measuring quality of life.

Background And Aim Of The Study: The selection of a suitable valve substitute in patients requiring valvular heart surgery is an important element in the preoperative decision-making process between cardiologist, surgeon, and patient. Controversy persists regarding the use of mechanical valves in the elderly. With the population living longer, reoperative risk becomes of paramount importance.

Midterm outcomes using the physio ring in mitral valve reconstruction: experience in 492 patients.

Background: Mitral valve reconstruction using standardized Carpentier techniques is the treatment of choice for most patients with regurgitant lesions. Demonstrated predictability and stability make it an attractive alternative to valve replacement. The Physio Ring's inherent flexibility provides a viable alternative in the application of remodeling techniques and appears to be physiologically superior to traditional approaches.