OBJECTIVE Evaluate the results of various surgical procedures used for aortic root replacement in children with aortic root aneurysm. METHODS Between 1986 and 2007, 23 children (less than 16 years of age, mean age: 8.1+/-5.1 years) underwent elective aortic root replacement for aortic root aneurysm (with associated aortic insufficiency in 10 patients). All had connective tissue defect syndrom...

Background—Despite proven benefit in ambulatory patients with ischemic heart disease, the pattern of use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) in coronary artery bypass graft surgery has been erratic and controversial. Methods and Results—This is a prospective observational study of 4224 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The cohort included 1838 patients re...

Arterial multivessel bypass grafting without extra corporeal circulation and manipulation of the ascending aorta should be a good surgical option for the treatment of coronary artery disease. An internal thoracic artery (ITA)-radial artery (RA) composite graft was used for this purpose. Between July 2000 and October 2001, we employed the LITA-RA composite graft for off-pump coronary artery bypa...

BACKGROUND Marfan syndrome is a relatively common heritable disorder of connective tissue that affects numerous organ systems, but the most severe complication is aortic aneurysm and dissection. A variety of medical and surgical approaches are available for managing the cardiovascular complications. Our objective was to compare elective composite graft surgery, elective valve-sparing surgery, a...

A prospective study was performed on 34 patients to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a composite bone substitute formed of hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate (Ceraform) with or without gentamycin sulphate (Ceraform-Genta) plus autogenous bone marrow aspirate in the treatment of cavitary bone defects related with benign bone lesions. At the end of the follow-up period, all patients were ...

BACKGROUND Coronary artery bypass graft surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass is a safe, routine procedure. Nevertheless, significant morbidity remains, mostly because of the body's response to the nonphysiological nature of cardiopulmonary bypass. Few data are available on the effects of off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery (OPCAB) on cardiac events and long-term clinical outcomes. ME...

BACKGROUND Vein graft failure (VGF) is common after coronary artery bypass graft surgery, but its relationship with long-term clinical outcomes is unknown. In this retrospective analysis, we examined the relationship between VGF, assessed by coronary angiography 12 to 18 months after coronary artery bypass graft surgery, and subsequent clinical outcomes. METHODS AND RESULTS Using the Project ...

BACKGROUND The ala of the nose, with its particular texture and characteristics, poses both aesthetically and functionally intriguing challenges and is rather problematic regarding choices for reconstructive methods. Both flaps and grafts have been used to restore natural structure of nasal ala. The present study summarizes a ten-year experience of reconstructive surgery using small composite g...

Six months after a composite graft redo operation repairing two pseudoaneurysms at the distal suture line and the right coronary artery, respectively, a patient returned asymptomatic and in good general condition but with new presternal bulges. Computed tomography and angiography diagnosed a new pseudoaneurysm of the left coronary artery, and on frank rupture, acute re-repair was undertaken wit...

The occurrence of Brucella endocarditis following Bentall operation is a rare and life threatening condition, particularly when it is complicated by development of a pseudoaneurysm. Here we present a 40-year-old veterinarian with bicuspid aortic valve, who developed type A aortic root dissection and required Bentall operation. His past medical history was positive for an episode of treated bruc...