Aortic valve replacement with and without combined coronary bypass grafts in very elderly patients: early and long-term results.

Objective: The number of older patients being referred for aortic valve replacement with or without combined coronary bypass grafting (CABG) is increasing. The aim of this study was to evaluate operative risk factors, early and long-term results of isolated aortic valve and aortic valve replacement combined with CABG in octogenarians and nonagenarians.

Methods: In the last 10 years, 285 very elderly patients who underwent aortic valve replacement either alone or in combination with coronary artery bypass grafts were retrospectively studied.

Efficacy of a new oxygenator-integrated fat and leukocyte removal device.

We evaluated the effectiveness of a new oxygenator-integrated device for removing lipid particles and leukocytes from shed mediastinal blood in 20 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass. Another 20 patients undergoing cardiac surgery without the device served as controls. After filtration with the RemoveLL device, lipid particles, leukocytes, and fats were significantly reduced compared to preoperative levels.