Risk factors predicting the successful function and use of autogenous arteriovenous fistulae for hemodialysis.

Background: For patients with end-stage renal failure hemodialysis with an autogenous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) has proven to be the ideal vascular access.

Objective: The aim of this study is to discover potential predictors of a well-functioning hemodialysis fistula.

Methods: From December 2009 to March 2011, 80 patients undergoing first time AVF creation were enrolled in our retrospective study.

The impact of intraaortic balloon counterpulsation on bypass graft flow in patients with peripheral ECMO.

Objective: Numerous reports have been performed to investigate the hemodynamic effects of intraaortic balloon pumping (IABP) and nonpulsatile circulatory extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), but studies on its impact on coronary artery bypass graft flow during concomitant use of IABP and ECMO are lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of additional IABP support on the degree of blood flow increase in bypass grafts in high-risk patients with nonpulsatile femoral venoarterial ECMO.

Methods: In six emergency coronary artery bypass graft patients (mean age = 66.

Severe pulmonary valve incompetence late after debanding: repair by bicuspidization.

We report a simple valve repair for severe pulmonary incompetence in a 25-year-old patient. The patient had been operated on twice before for ventricular septal defect and coarctation of the aorta. The first operation consisted of pulmonary artery banding and coarctectomy and end-to-end anastomosis at 4 months, followed by debanding and transinfundibular ventricular septal defect closure at 6 years of age.