Late pseudocoarctation syndrome after stent-graft implantation for traumatic aortic rupture.

The present observation illustrates an unusual complication occurring after stent-grafting (S-graft) for aortic isthmus rupture. A 22-year-old patient, treated by S-graft in the emergency department for traumatic aortic rupture, was readmitted 10 months later with pseudocoarctation syndrome. A membrane was found inside the stent-graft that had induced a pseudo-dissection, which caused the pseudocoarctation syndrome.

CardioWest (Jarvik) total artificial heart: a single-center experience with 42 patients.

Background: When implanted in patients with biventricular failure, the CardioWest total artificial heart has asserted itself over time as a reliable bridge-to-transplant device that as yet is used by only a few international teams. The aim of this single-center retrospective study is to assess both the comorbidity and survival of patients awaiting heart transplants while receiving circulatory support with a CardioWest total artificial heart.

Methods: From 1990 to December 2006, 42 patients received a CardioWest total artificial heart at our center.

Outcome of heart transplants 15 to 20 years ago: graft survival, post-transplant morbidity, and risk factors for mortality.

Objectives: The study was conducted to determine the long-term outcome of patients who underwent heart transplantation 15 to 20 years ago, in the cyclosporine era, and identify risk factors for death.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was done of 148 patients who had undergone heart transplantation between 1985 and 1991 at a single center. Operative technique and immunosuppressive treatment were comparable in all patients.

Direct stenting limits sirolimus-eluting stent edge neointimal thickening.

Objective: The use of sirolimus eluting stent (SES) has strongly limited the incidence of in-stent restenosis that still remains a problem at the stent edge. The aim of this study was to analyze the neointimal thickening after implantation of SES and to assess the influence of the stent implantation procedure on the neointimal thickening in the in-stent segment and at the edge of the stent in an ex-vivo model of stented human artery.

Methods: Both balloon expandable SES and the corresponding bare metal stent (BMS) were used in a model of human mammary artery culture.

Does the pretransplant UNOS status modify the short- and long-term cardiac transplant prognosis?

Background: We compared the morbidity and mortality rates of patients who had urgent heart transplantation or transplantation after bridging with a ventricular assist device, with the rates of patients whose clinical stability allowed them to wait at home.

Methods: From March 1985 to December 2000, 404 patients underwent heart transplantation in a single center. There were 273 patients with UNOS status 2 (US 2), 103 patients with UNOS Status 1A (US 1A), and 28 patients with UNOS Status 1B (US 1B).