Mitral valve repair in rheumatics: Is it still worthwhile?

Community Water Fluoridation: is it Still Worthwhile?

Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair in the octogenarian: is it worthwhile?

HYPOTHESIS During the past decade, endovascular stent graft repair (EVSG) of abdominal aortic aneurysms has emerged as a less invasive and less morbid alternative to open surgical repair. We hypothesize that EVSG may become the treatment method of choice among patients older than 80 years. DESIGN Retrospective case series. SETTING Major academic medical center with extensive experience in e...

Mitral-valve repair for mitral-valve prolapse.

n engl j med 361;23 nejm.org december 3, 2009 2261 This Journal feature begins with a case vignette that includes a therapeutic recommendation. A discussion of the clinical problem and the mechanism of benefit of this form of therapy follows. Major clinical studies, the clinical use of this therapy, and potential adverse effects are reviewed. Relevant formal guidelines, if they exist, are prese...

Mitral valve surgery: when is it appropriate?

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a frequent complication of end-stage cardiomyopathy. Historically, these patients were managed either medically or with mitral valve replacement, both associated with poor outcomes. We studied 150 patients with cardiomyopathy and severe MR who were managed with mitral reconstruction. One hundred fifty patients with 4+ MR, left ventricular ejection fractions of 8%-24...

In patients undergoing mitral surgery for ischaemic mitral regurgitation is it preferable to repair or replace the mitral valve?

A best evidence topic was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether patients undergoing coronary bypass grafting and mitral intervention for moderate to severe ischaemic mitral regurgitation are best treated with mitral repair or replacement. Five hundred and fifty papers were found using the reported search. Based on the 14 non-randomised studies judged to ...