[Cave canulam et dilatationem. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and surgical repair of a vessel perforation following central venous catheterization].

A 58-year-old female patient was scheduled for minimally invasive cardiac surgery. For drainage of venous blood to the heart-lung machine insertion of a central venous large diameter catheter was a prerequisite. During insertion into the right internal jugular vein by the anesthesiologist a life-threatening perforation of the subclavian artery occurred.

Beta-blockade in 200 coronary bypass grafting procedures.

Background: Continuous perfusion of the coronary arteries with high-dose beta-blocker (esmolol)-enriched blood has been shown to represent an alternative for myocardial protection during coronary bypass grafting (CABG). Here, we will report on our experience in 200 unselected consecutive cases where this technique was used.

Methods: Eighty percent of the patients (age: 63.

Risk stratification in heart surgery: comparison of six score systems.

Objective: Risk scores have become an important tool in patient assessment, as age, severity of heart disease, and comorbidity in patients undergoing heart surgery have considerably increased. Various risk scores have been developed to predict mortality after heart surgery. However, there are significant differences between scores with regard to score design and the initial patient population on which score development was based.