Factors influencing survival and postoperative quality of life after mitral valve reconstruction.

Objective: Mitral valve reconstruction (MVR) is the preferred treatment for regurgitant lesions. Clinical benefit is well documented, but comparative data scrutinising factors influencing survival and postoperative quality of life (QOL) in different subsets of patients are missing. We hypothesised that mitral valve reconstruction for mitral regurgitation benefits the patients, regardless of the valve pathology.

Hemodynamic performance of the Medtronic Mosaic porcine bioprosthesis up to ten years.

Background: The Mosaic bioprosthesis (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN) is a third-generation stented porcine bioprosthesis combining physiologic fixation and amino oleic acid antimineralization treatment to improve hemodynamic performance and durability. The findings of this single-center experience with this valve were evaluated to determine the clinical and hemodynamic performance.

Methods: Between February 1994 and October 1999, we enrolled 255 patients with aortic valve replacement (AVR) with a mean age of 67 years (range, 23 to 82 years) and 47 patients with mitral valve replacement (MVR) with a mean age of 67 years (range, 41 to 84 years) in this post-United States Food and Drug Administration approval prospective and nonrandomized clinical trial.

Congenital fistula between the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) and the pulmonary artery: cause of LIMA bypass occlusion?

Congenital fistulas from the left internal mammary artery to the pulmonary artery are rare. We describe a 49-year-old patient with severe aortic valve regurgitation and coronary artery disease. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and left anterior descending artery (LAD) stenting had been performed because of a significant proximal LAD lesion.

Surgical treatment of interrupted aortic arch with extraanatomical bypass simultaneous to coronary artery bypass grafting and aortic valve replacement.

An interrupted aortic arch accompanied by further surgically reparable cardiac lesions is a rare combination in adult patients. We describe treatment of an interrupted aortic arch, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and aortic valve replacement (AVR) performed simultaneously through median sternotomy in a 64-year-old man. The patient underwent surgery performed using standard cardiopulmonary bypass with cannulation of the ascending aorta and the right atrium, hypothermia (24.

A steel band in addition to 8 wire cerclages reduces the risk of sternal dehiscence after median sternotomy.

Background: Sternal dehiscence after full median sternotomy may result in wound-healing disorders, including osteomyelitis. The consequences are extended hospitalization, plastic surgery, stress for the patient, and increased costs. Stable closure of the median sternotomy plays a crucial role in the avoidance of sternal dehiscence and osteomyelitis.