Physiology of deep closed circuit rebreather mixed gas diving: vascular gas emboli and biological changes during a week-long liveaboard safari.

Diving decompression theory hypothesizes inflammatory processes as a source of micronuclei which could increase related risks. Therefore, we tested 10 healthy, male divers. They performed 6-8 dives with a maximum of two dives per day at depths ranging from 21 to 122 msw with CCR mixed gas diving.

Are surgeons ready to get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Background: Vaccination against COVID-19 has started in several countries already and is on its way in others. However, there is an important hesitance towards the vaccine. The aim of this study is to evaluate the vaccination hesitance and main concerns towards the vaccine among surgeons.

Contegra versus pulmonary homograft for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction in newborns.

Objectives: Pulmonary homografts are standard alternatives to right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction in congenital heart surgery. Unfortunately, shortage and conduit failure by early calcifications and shrinking are observed for small-sized homografts in younger patients. In neonates, Contegra® 12 mm (Medtronic Inc.

Long-term survival and quality of life in Jehovah's witnesses after cardiac surgery: a case control study.

Background: We previously analyzed morbidity and mortality in Jehovah's Witnesses patients after cardiac surgery compared to control population patients. Patients who were Jehovah's Witnesses were operated in accordance with their philosophical convictions and in respect of their refusal of transfusions. We propose to assess long-term survival and quality of life in the patients of this preliminary study.

Obstructive teratoma in the right ventricle of a newborn: a case report.

Background: A newborn was diagnosed by echocardiogram with an asymptomatic cardiac mass in the right ventricle after a systolic cardiac murmur was detected at birth.

Case Presentation: Nine days after birth, the newborn presented with three syncopal episodes and oxygen desaturation which required resuscitation. The mass induced a complete right ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

[Demographic evolution of patients with a surgical aortic valvular replacement in the era of percutaneous replacement].

Introduction: Percutaneous aortic valve replacement has been performed in daily practice for less than 10 years. This technique was until recently reserved for patients with very high surgical risk. There is little data in the literature documenting the impact of this percutaneous technique on the patient population continuing to benefit from a surgical replacement of the aortic valve.

Pulmonary valve replacement after right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction with homograft vs Contegra®: a case control comparison of mortality and morbidity.

Background: Repair of congenital heart defects involving the right ventricular outflow tract may require the implantation of a right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit. This conduit is likely to be replaced during childhood. This study compares the operative outcomes of the replacement procedure of Contegra® and homografts in pulmonary position.

Para-prosthetic Leaks Following Mitral Valve Replacement: Case Analysis on a 20-year Period.

Background: Mitral para-prosthetic leaks are rare but major complications of mitral heart valve replacements. When they must be re-operated, they are burdened with high mortality rates. We proposed to review our surgical experience in terms of approach and type of operation carried out.

Impact of balanced tetrastarch raw material on perioperative blood loss: a randomized double blind controlled trial.

Background: As 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 130/0.40 or 130/0.42 can originate from different vegetable sources, they might have different clinical effects.

Contegra 12 mm: How Long Can It Last?

Since the year 2000, we have used Contegra conduits for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction in infants and newborns. Published reports of early and late results from multiple centers have included variable and inconsistent findings. Concerns about the durability of small conduits placed in younger infants have been expressed.

Three years follow-up after cryoablation of a right atrial myxoma arising from the Koch's triangle.

We reported 3 years ago the use of cryoablation in the treatment of a right atrium myxoma arising from the Koch's triangle. The atrioventricular conduction was successfully preserved. Today, after 3 years follow-up, the patient remains with a conducted sinus rhythm and is free of recurrence.

Outcomes from cardiac surgery in Jehovah's witness patients: experience over twenty-one years.

Background: Cardiac surgery in Jehovah's Witnesses may be challenging during the operation and postoperative period given their refusal of blood products. The aim of this study was to document our center's experience with Jehovah's Witnesses undergoing major cardiac surgery and to compare surgical outcomes with a matched control group.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the demographic, perioperative, and in-hospital postoperative data for 31 Jehovah's Witness patients undergoing surgery from 1991 to 2012 and compared findings with a control group of 62 patients of the same sex and age, who underwent the same type of operations in the same period.

Managing Ventricular Septal Defect with Associated Aortic Regurgitation: Two Decades of Experience.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Ventricular septal defect (VSD) with aortic regurgitation (AR) is a well-known association. However, there is still no agreement about its management, particularly regarding the technical details of its operative treatment. The study aim was to describe all components of the syndrome and to evaluate the various techniques used with regards to its anatomical and functional features.

Cryoablation for a right atrial myxoma arising from the Koch's triangle: a case report.

A 78-year-old caucasian patient with compromised cardiac function presenting recurrent episodes of pulmonary embolism was referred to our center for resection of a voluminous right atrial myxoma arising from the Koch's triangle. To preserve the conduction system, we performed an excision of the myxoma associated with cryoablation of its stalk. This case is of special interest for discussing possibilities of preservation of the atrioventricular conduction system in such situations, provided that the contemporary literature does not propose concrete guidelines.

Does congenital heart disease severely jeopardise family life and pregnancies? Obstetrical history of women with congenital heart disease in a single tertiary centre.

Aim: Women with congenital heart disease are often considered to be restricted in their obstetrical life and even their marital life. Our single-centre study aimed to determine the real-life situation of these women with regard to successful family life and any pregnancy complications they may experience.

Methods: From our database of adults with congenital heart disease, 160 of 178 women completed a questionnaire and had their files reviewed.

[Acute myocardial infarction due to an acute aortic dissection].

Myocardial ischemia secondary to dissection of the ascending aorta remains a relatively rare complication. A 76-year old man with no prior history developed sudden chest pain. The electrocardiogram showed a ST-segment elevation in leads II and III suggesting an inferior wall acute myocardial infarction.

Endocarditis of bovine jugular vein conduit due to Q fever.

Contegra (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN) conduits are routinely used in cases of right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction during congenital heart surgery. We report two cases of Q fever endocarditis involving Contegra conduits. Surgical treatment and distinct aspects of both unusual cases are described.

Prevalence of early postoperative arrhythmias in children with delayed open-heart surgery for severe congenital heart disease.

Unlabelled: BACKGROUND; Our aim was to determine the incidence, risk factors and outcome of early postoperative arrhythmias in children with delayed treatment of severe congenital heart disease.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted in 141 consecutive children with delayed referral from emerging countries, who underwent open-heart surgery.

Results: Sinus node dysfunction was noted in 5 cases.

Ten-year experience with surgical treatment of adults with congenital cardiac disease.

The number of adults with congenital cardiac disease continues to increase, and adult patients are now more numerous than paediatric patients. We sought to identify risk factors for perioperative death and report our results with surgical management of adult patients with congenital cardiac disease. We retrospectively analysed in-hospital data for 244 consecutive adult patients who underwent surgical treatment of congenital cardiac disease in our centre between January, 1998 and December, 2007.