OBJECTIVE To document mortality after endovascular repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (RAAAs). DATA SOURCES MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. STUDY SELECTION Articles that reported data on mortality after endovascular repair of RAAAs were identified. Only patients with true ruptures were included. Additionally, information on mortality after concurrent open repair was sought. DATA ...

BACKGROUND The goal of this study was to describe short- and long-term survival of patients with descending thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) after open and endovascular repair (TEVAR). METHODS AND RESULTS Using Medicare claims from 1998 to 2007, we analyzed patients who underwent repair of intact and ruptured TAA, identified from a combination of procedural and diagnostic International Classi...

Background—The goal of this study was to describe shortand long-term survival of patients with descending thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) after open and endovascular repair (TEVAR). Methods and Results—Using Medicare claims from 1998 to 2007, we analyzed patients who underwent repair of intact and ruptured TAA, identified from a combination of procedural and diagnostic International Classifica...

PURPOSE Debate exists over optimal treatment for acute Achilles tendon ruptures. Recent literature suggests the mini-open technique may provide the reliability of the open repair with the decreased complication rate of non-operative treatment. This retrospective review compares acute tendon ruptures treated with one of two techniques: open repair (TO) or mini-open repair (MOA). METHODS & RESU...

BACKGROUND Recurrent herniation is a well-known complication following the initial repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernias (CDHs). The role of minimally invasive surgical techniques in recurrent CDH remains undefined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate our early experience with thoracoscopic repair compared with traditional open repair in children with recurrent CDH. SUBJECTS AND ME...

BACKGROUND Closed and open annuloplasty rings are both used for mitral valve repair. This study compared the clinical and echocardiographic results in patients with degenerative mitral disease undergoing MV repair with closed semirigid rings vs open bands. METHODS Between 2004 and 2008, 377 patients (mean age, 59 + or - 12 years) underwent mitral valve repair. Valve pathology was degenerative...