Stentless xenograft implantation in aortic position in a 7-year-old girl.

Disease or dysfunction of the aortic valve in pediatric patients presents a substantial challenge. Valve preservation, even if not the definitive solution, is always optimal. Successful repair will enable somatic growth and avoid repeated valve replacement and the need for systemic anticoagulation.

Non-bleeding side effects of clopidogrel: have large multi-center clinical trials underestimated their incidence?

Large multi-center clinical trials have indicated significant clinical benefits for patients with atherosclerotic vascular diseases receiving clopidogrel therapy. Clopidogrel efficacy has been proven in cardiac and extracardiac vascular diseases. Thus, the popularity of using clopidogrel is likely to increase in the near future.