Aortic valve replacement with the Sorin Pericarbon Freedom stentless prosthesis: 7 years' experience in 130 patients.

Objectives: Aortic stentless pericardial valves were introduced into clinical practice to combine properties of both stentless and pericardial prostheses. The aim of this single-center retrospective study was to assess midterm clinical and hemodynamic results of aortic valve replacement with the Sorin Pericarbon Freedom stentless bioprosthesis.

Methods: From July 1999 through November 2005, 130 consecutive patients (73 [56.

Successful radiofrequency ablation determines atrio-ventricular remodelling and improves systo-diastolic function at tissue Doppler-imaging.

Background: Clinical, echocardiographic results and determinants of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence following AF ablation during mitral valve surgery (AFAMVS) were evaluated.

Methods: Fifty-two patients undergoing radiofrequency AFAMVS between January 2003 and December 2005, underwent serial echocardiographies with tissue Doppler imaging to assess atrio-ventricular function. Recurrence of AF, hospital readmission, episodes of congestive heart failure (CHF) were recorded.

Surgical treatment of coronary-to-pulmonary fistula: how and when?

Coronary arteriovenous fistulas (CAVF) are rare malformations. Opinions vary on which operation should be offered to these patients, particularly those asymptomatic. We report four patients operated on for CAVF referred to our institution over the course of a year.

Intraaortic balloon pumping during cardioplegic arrest preserves lung function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Linear flow during cardiopulmonary bypass is considered a potential mechanism of lung damage in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We evaluated differences in lung function of patients with COPD undergoing preoperative intraaortic balloon pumping (IABP), between linear flow during cardiopulmonary bypass (IABP-off) and maintenance of pulsatile flow (IABP-on at automatic 80 bpm) during cardioplegic arrest.

Methods: Fifty patients with COPD undergoing preoperative IABP were randomized between January 2004 and July 2005 to receive nonpulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass with IABP discontinued during cardioplegic arrest (25 patients; group A), or IABP-induced pulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass (25 patients; group B).

Transbrachial insertion of a 7.5-Fr intra-aortic balloon pump in a severely atherosclerotic patient.

Objective: Preoperative intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) improves the results of complex coronary surgery. However, its insertion may be harmful or contraindicated in cases of severe and diffuse atherosclerosis of the descending aorta and peripheral arteries. We sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transbrachial insertion of the new 7.

Should we discontinue intraaortic balloon during cardioplegic arrest? Splanchnic function results of a prospective randomized trial.

Background: Preoperative use of intraaortic balloon pumping (IABP) has increased in high-risk patients. Linear flow during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) can induce subclinical damage, whereas automatic IABP mode may maintain pulsatile flow. We sought to evaluate differences between suspending IABP and switching it to an automatic 80 bpm mode during cardioplegic arrest.

Perioperative enoximone infusion improves cardiac enzyme release after CABG.

Objective: To assess whether routine postoperative enoximone infusion compared with dobutamine improved clinical and biochemical results after coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Design: Prospective nonrandomized study. Data collection was blinded to the choice of inotrope.