Hemodynamic benefit of optimizing atrioventricular delay after cardiopulmonary bypass.

Background: Shortening of atrioventricular delay (AVD) by sequential cardiac pacing has been proposed to improve hemodynamics in patients with end-stage heart failure. In addition, optimization of prolonged AVD may be associated with a decrease of presystolic mitral insufficiency. The aim of this study was to explore the incidence of prolonged AVD during the early postcardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) period and to evaluate the hemodynamic benefit of its shortening by using sequential cardiac pacing.

Infected abdominal aortic aneurysm associated with a psoas abscess, aorto-duodenal and sigmoid fistulas. Case report and review of the literature.

A case of atherosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurysm, complicated by aortoenteric fistulizations and infected by Escherichia coli, is presented. Chronic contained rupture resulted in the formation of a huge left psoas abscess which was responsible for the symptoms. No similar case has been reported in the literature.

Propofol-alfentanil versus fentanyl-midazolam in coronary artery surgery.

Objective: To compare intraoperative hemodynamics profiles and recovery characteristics of propofol-alfentanil with fentanyl-midazolam anesthesia in elective coronary artery surgery.

Design: Prospective, randomized study.

Setting: University hospital.