Aortic valve-sparing operation and a total arch replacement by an elephant trunk method for Marfan's syndrome with aortic regurgitation and a DeBakey type IIIb dissection.

A 35 year-old male with Marfan's syndrome was referred with a fortuitous echographic finding of an abdominal aorta flap. Transthoracic echocardiography showed moderate aortic regurgitation and an aneurysm in the sinus of Valsalva. Computed tomography demonstrated an aneurysm in the sinus of Valsalva 60 mm in size and a DeBakey type IIIb dissection extending from the left subclavian artery to the right common iliac artery.

An experimental model of Stanford type B aortic dissection.

Purpose: To create an experimental model of aortic dissection with a long-lasting patent false lumen as a proper animal model for development of less-invasive treatment for aortic dissection.

Materials And Methods: Fifteen adult beagle dogs (weight, 10-12 kg) were used. The descending aorta was exposed by a left thoracotomy at the sixth intercostal space.

Surgical treatment of giant left atrium using a combined superior-transseptal approach.

We report on the usefulness of a combined superior-transseptal approach for the surgical treatment of giant left atrium. The posteroinferior wall and the roof of the left atrium were easily plicated and the mitral valve procedure was simple.

Autosynchronized systolic unloading during left ventricular assist with a centrifugal pump.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate how the inflow cannulation site of the left ventricular assist system with a centrifugal pump would influence cardiac function on failing heart models.

Methods: In 10 sheep, a left ventricular assist system was instituted by an outflow cannula in the descending aorta, two inflow cannulas in the left atrium and the left ventricle, and connecting those cannulas to a magnetically suspended centrifugal pump. A conductance catheter and a tipped micromanometer for monitoring the pressure-volume loop were also inserted into the left ventricle.

A rat model of ischemic cardiomyopathy for investigating left ventricular volume reduction surgery.

Objective: The effects of volume reduction surgery (VRS) for ischemic cardiomyopathy are not fully understood. The development of a proper animal model will help to resolve this issue.

Methods: Study 1 (Noninvasive study): Twenty-six rats developed large akinetic left ventricular (LV) aneurysms or ischemic cardiomyopathy after anterior descending artery ligation (first surgery).

A rat model of ischaemic or dilated cardiomyopathy for investigating left ventricular repair surgery.

1. The effects of left ventricular repair (LVR) surgery for ischaemic or dilated cardiomyopathy are not fully understood. The development of a proper animal model will help to resolve this issue.