BACKGROUND There are many options for proximal anastomosis during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), but the efficacies of these procedures have not been well clarified. Therefore, we examined the clinical impact of our strategy to modify the proximal anastomosis procedure for aortic atherosclerosis. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 535 consecutive patients undergoing off-pum...

OBJECTIVE To develop a clinically applicable method of minimally invasive mitral valve replacement (MVR) with cardioplegia, and examine the ability of carbon dioxide (CO2) to improve de-airing. METHODS MVR was performed via a 5 x 3-cm right lateral minithoracotomy in eight greyhounds. Peripheral cardiopulmonary bypass and an ascending aortic balloon catheter (endoaortic clamp) were used for c...

OBJECTIVES Partial upper sternotomy is a routine approach to aortic valve surgery. For surgery of the ascending aorta or the aortic arch, this method is not well established yet. METHODS From October 2007 to October 2010, 50 consecutive patients underwent procedures of the ascending aorta and the aortic arch using partial upper sternotomy. Thirty-six patients underwent replacement or tighteni...

SUMMARY During coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, the saphenous vein is sutured through its proximal segment to the aorta. Intimal hyperplasia is one of the possible causes of graft occlusion. Notably, blood turbulence can induce wall shear stress that may also play an important role in this process. OBJECTIVE We propose a new technique for performing proximal anastomosis to avoid C...

OBJECTIVE Replacement of the aortic valve with concomitant replacement of the ascending aorta performed via a minimally invasive right anterior thoracotomy approach has not been reported. We evaluated the feasibility and safety of this procedure. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed all minimally invasive aortic valve replacements (AVRs) with concomitant replacement of the ascending aorta perf...

We describe a new technique of aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients with porcelain aorta. Three patients (mean age 75 years) were treated. The cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was established after side-graft right axillary artery and direct femoral artery cannulation. Venous drainage was obtained by atrio-caval cannulation. The procedures were performed in mild hypothermia (30 degrees C). Ce...

peutic optimization of CPB through the combination of different procedures that reduce inflammatory response and oxidative stress. This approach proved effective in improving the clinical outcome. It is also well recognized that aortic cross-clamp time plays a relevant role. In their preliminary study with a sutureless implantable aortic bioprosthesis (Perceval S valve, Sorin, Saluggia, Italy),...

objective: gestational diabetes mellitus occurs during pregnancy is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. carotid intima media thickness (cimt) is a surrogate maker of subclinical atherosclerosis. the aim of this study is assessment of relationship between cimt and infra-renal abdominal aorta diameter in women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus. materials and methods: the c...

Objective: Gestational diabetes mellitus occurs during pregnancy is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) is a surrogate maker of subclinical atherosclerosis. The aim of this study is assessment of relationship between CIMT and infra-renal abdominal aorta diameter in women with and without Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Materials and Methods: Th...