[Rupture of the intra-aortic balloon during mechanically assisted circulation].

An intra-aortic balloon pump catheter may be used for mechanical support of insufficient heart function. A possible complication is rupture of this balloon. In the last few years, a substantial increase of such ruptures has been observed.

Myocardial metabolism, catecholamine balance, and left ventricular function during coronary artery surgery: effects of nitroprusside and nifedipine.

The effects of nitroprusside and nifedipine on myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2), catecholamine release, and left ventricular (LV) function (using 2D transesophageal echocardiography) were compared. Thirty-seven patients undergoing coronary artery surgery, anesthetized with fentanyl, 100 micrograms/kg, were studied. All had good LV function and had been receiving long-term oral beta-blocking therapy.

The definition of myocardial infarction during aortocoronary bypass surgery.

In a study of 392 aortocoronary bypass (CABG) patients, we found 16 patients with a postoperative new Q wave, 29 patients with new intraventricular conduction disturbance, 17 patients with cardiogenic shock, and 14 patients with excessive CK-MB activity. Those criteria were considered as diagnostic of perioperative acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Listing the 392 patients in a Venn diagram: five patients had three positive criteria, eight had two, 43 had one, and 336 had none.

Risk of operative mortality in surgery for coronary heart disease (a multiple regression analysis of perioperative hemodynamic and electrocardiographic data).

Using multiple regression analysis, we examined perioperative hemodynamic and electrocardiographic variables as predictors of operative mortality in surgery for coronary heart disease. Data were first analyzed as univariates and, if significantly related to mortality, they were subjected to stepwise logistic multivariate regression analysis. The preoperative predictor variables were: heart rate, ventricular arrhythmia and ST-T shift.

Myocardial protection with cold cardioplegia in a patient with cold autoagglutinins and hemolysins.

A technique is described for providing myocardial protection with cold potassium crystalloid cardioplegia in a patient with cold autoagglutinins and hemolysins. The patient was only mildly cooled systemically. The coronary system was perfused with a normothermic cardioplegic solution to remove the blood before the cold cardioplegia was started.