A single-center experience with the Sorin Mitroflow pericardial aortic valve: hemodynamics up to five years.

Background And Aim Of The Study: The authors' institution participated in a 28-center FDA Investigational Device Exemption study to evaluate the Sorin Mitroflow pericardial aortic bioprosthesis. Six high-enrolling sites evaluated patients on an annual basis as part of an ongoing hemodynamic study. These data represent patients followed for an average of five years after implant, with annual echocardiography.

Long-term follow-up after robotic thymectomy for nonthymomatous myasthenia gravis.

Background: Thymectomy is recognized as a significant component in the treatment of myasthenia gravis. However, controversy exists as to the optimal surgical approach. This investigation summarizes our experience performing extended thymectomy using a robotic technique in a large group of patients with significant follow-up.

Simple amiodarone protocol reduces postoperative atrial fibrillation.

Background: : Incorporating amiodarone into an existing postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) prevention pathway may reduce postoperative AF and length of stay (LOS).

Methods: : From July 2002 through December 2002, 476 consecutive cardiac surgical patients were managed with an AF prevention protocol using aggressive potassium replacement, intraoperative/postoperative magnesium supplementation, and postoperative resumption of β-blockers. From January 2003 through June 2003, 592 additional patients were subjected to the same protocol except amiodarone was initiated intraoperatively (150 mg intravenously) and continued postoperatively until discharge (200 mg orally three times daily).

Influence of endoscopic versus traditional saphenectomy on event-free survival: five-year follow-up of a prospective randomized trial.

Background: Endoscopic harvesting of the greater saphenous vein is increasingly used during cardiac surgery to improve patient satisfaction and reduce the wound complications associated with traditional open techniques. Although histologic studies suggest no significant difference in vein quality between these two techniques, long-term follow-up is lacking to address whether graft patency and event-free survival are influenced by the harvest method.

Methods: A total of 112 isolated coronary artery bypass patients were prospectively randomized to have veins harvested using either an endoscopic (n = 54) or traditional (n = 58) technique.