Percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects: immediate and mid-term results.

Introduction: The incidence of percutaneous closure of secundum atrial septal defects (ASD) and patent foramen ovale (PFO), which has become an established therapy, is constantly increasing. In this study, which is the first in the Greek literature, we present the immediate and mid-term results from this intervention in our center.

Methods: From April 2004 to April 2008, 103 patients underwent percutaneous closure of an ASD or PFO using Amplatzer closure devices.

Diverticulum of the left ventricle: etiology and surgical treatment.

Congenital left ventricular (LV) diverticula are rare findings, particularly when first diagnosed in adulthood. We describe successful surgical repair of an isolated congenital apical LV diverticulum associated with an abnormal submitral apparatus in a young adult who received his diagnosis following a peripheral embolism. We intraoperatively identified an abnormally originating belly of the posteromedial papillary muscle, which arose from the interventricular septum, causing partition of the LV cavity and forming an apical aneurysmal communicating chamber.

Left atrial function and work after surgical ventricular restoration in postmyocardial infarction heart failure.

Introduction: The purpose of the current study was to examine the effect of surgical ventricular restoration in left atrial (LA) performance and left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in patients with congestive heart failure after extensive anterior myocardial infarction.

Methods: Seventeen consecutive patients (age 63 +/- 9 years, 14 male, 4 with diabetes) were studied prospectively. All patients underwent surgical ventricular restoration and concomitant coronary artery bypass surgery.

First human implantation of a new rotary blood pump: design of the clinical feasibility study.

Surgical treatment of heart failure is emerging as one of the most challenging clinical dilemmas for patients with end-stage cardiac failure not amenable to medical treatment. One of the most intriguing techniques is the use of implantable left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) as a bridge to recovery. The early experience from our centre has shown that even short term post-cardiotomy mechanical assistance, after heart failure surgery, improves patient outcome; thus, a clinical feasibility study was designed.