Interleukin-4 C-590T polymorphism has no role in coronary artery bypass surgery.

Interleukin-4 exerts anti-inflammatory effects through decreased macrophage production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 beta. We investigated genetic predisposition in the interleukin-4 response to coronary revascularization and studied the association between C-590T polymorphism, interleukin-4 levels, and outcome of surgery. DNA was obtained from 96 consecutive patients undergoing elective coronary revascularization.

Donor heart selection: the outcome of "unacceptable" donors.

Background: The decline in the number of suitable donor hearts has led to an increasing interest in the use of previously unacceptable donors. In the United Kingdom, if one centre declines a donor heart on medical grounds it may be offered to other centres. This multi-centre study aimed to evaluate the outcome of recipients of donor hearts considered medically unsuitable for transplantation by one centre that were used in other centres.

An aberrant donor pulmonary vein during lung transplant: a surgical challenge.

Aberrant pulmonary veins are uncommon. Anastomosis of such a vein during a lung transplant operation may provide a surgical challenge. We report the first case of an aberrant pulmonary vein anastomosed to the left atrial appendage during the implantation of the left lung.