Remote monitoring of left ventricular assist device parameters after HeartAssist-5 implantation.

Although several left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have been used widely, remote monitoring of LVAD parameters has been available only recently. We present our remote monitoring experience with an axial-flow LVAD (HeartAssist-5, MicroMed Cardiovascular, Inc., Houston, TX, USA).

Robotics in cardiac surgery: the Istanbul experience.

Background: Robots are sensor-based tools capable of performing precise, accurate and versatile actions. Initially designed to spare humans from risky tasks, robots have progressed into revolutionary tools for surgeons. Tele-operated robots, such as the da Vinci (Intuitive Surgical, Mountain View, CA), have allowed cardiac procedures to start benefiting from robotics as an enhancement to traditional minimally invasive surgery.

Which may be effective to reduce blood loss after cardiac operations in cyanotic children: tranexamic acid, aprotinin or a combination?

Background: Children with cyanotic heart disease undergoing cardiac surgery in which cardiopulmonary bypass is used are at increased risk of postoperative bleeding. In this study, the authors investigated the possibility of reducing postoperative blood loss by using aprotinin and tranexamic acid alone or a combination of these two agents.

Methods: In a prospective, randomized, blind study, 100 children undergoing cardiac surgery were investigated.

Combined radiofrequency modified maze and mitral valve procedure through a port access approach: early and mid-term results.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of irrigated radiofrequency (RF) modified Maze procedure through a port access approach during mitral valve surgery and evaluate early and mid-term results.

Material And Method: During a 16 months time period, 67 patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) eligible for port access mitral valve surgery were randomly assigned to either Group A, in which they underwent a combined procedure (N = 33) or Group B, in which a valve procedure alone was performed (N = 34). Both groups were similar in terms of age, sex, valve pathology, duration of AF left atrial diameter and left ventricle function (P > 0.

Clinical experience with coronary sinus catheterization in minimally invasive aortic valve surgery under transesophageal echocardiography guidance.

We aimed to show conventional coronary sinus (CS) catheter could be used with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) guidance through the limited surgical field in aortic valve surgery with 'J' sternotomy. This method was performed in 14 patients and completed successfully in 12. We believe that in minimally invasive aortic valve surgery, the insertion of the conventional retrograde cardioplegia catheter to the CS with routine way may not be possible but application of TEE guidance is cost-effective and easily applicable method without significant complications.

Intraoperative saline-irrigated radiofrequency modified Maze procedure for atrial fibrillation.

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the saline-irrigated radiofrequency modified Maze operation for treatment of chronic atrial fibrillation, and to compare the results of the left and biatrial procedures.

Methods: During a period of 11 months, 62 patients with chronic atrial fibrillation who were having concomitant cardiac surgery underwent the procedure. The mean age of the patients was 52 +/- 14 years.

Effects of intravenous triiodothyronine during coronary artery bypass surgery.

A prospective randomized and double-blind study was performed to evaluate whether perioperative triiodothyronine administration has any effect on cardiovascular performance after coronary artery bypass surgery. Sixty patients were assigned to 2 groups of 30 each. When crossclamping ended, group A received an intravenous bolus of triiodothyronine, followed by infusion for 6 hours.

Does normoxemic cardiopulmonary bypass prevent myocardial reoxygenation injury in cyanotic children?

Objective: To evaluate whether the deleterious effect of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) can be prevented by controlling PaO(2) in cyanotic children.

Design: Prospective, randomized, clinical study.

Setting: Single university hospital.