Sequential in vitro lymphocyte function tests in 13 patients undergoing cardiac operation were performed to study B lymphocyte function following operation. Lymphocytes were stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA), pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and Staphylococcus aureus Cowan 1 (SAC). Mitogen responses were measured by 3H-labeled thymidine incorporation. The SAC responses were significantly depressed...

Despite increasing trends in catheter-based cardiac surgical procedures, more than 278 000 Americans had traditional cardiac surgery in 2013. Of those surgical procedures, approximately 133 000 involved valvular repair or replacement. Aortic valve replacement was by far the most common valvular operation, followed by mitral valve repair or replacement. This review article will discuss character...

T HE internist frequently is called upon by his surgical colleagues for an opinion concerning the risk of anesthesia and of a surgical procedure in a patient who has organic heart disease. A request of this kind carries with it a number of implied questions, among the most important of which are: 1. Does the cardiac abnormality increase the risk of the contemplated procedure? 2. Will the anesth...

INTRODUCTION Being a unique diagnostic technique, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has influenced many different aspects of cardiac surgery including valve repair surgery. The cost-effectiveness of this method however is questioned considering the conditions of every region and country. In this study we aimed at answering the question if utilizing TEE throughout valve repair surgery could...

Circulatory function of patients with operatively closed ventricular septal defect and preoperative pulmonary arterial hypertension was evaluated in 11 asymptomatic subjects at rest and during intense treadmill exercise three to 15 years after operation. The pulmonary-to-systemic resistance ratio was normal or mildly to moderately elevated preoperatively. Postoperative mean pulmonary arterial p...

OBJECTIVE To assess the value of transoesophageal echocardiography in the preoperative definition of systemic and pulmonary venous connections. DESIGN Transoesophageal echocardiographic studies were performed prospectively under general anaesthesia in 76 consecutive unoperated children. Results were compared with those obtained by earlier transthoracic ultrasound studies (n = 76), cardiac cat...

T HE internist frequently is called upon by his surgical colleagues for an opinion concerning the risk of anesthesia and of a surgical procedure in a patient who has organic heart disease. A request of this kind carries with it a number of implied questions, among the most important of which are: 1. Does the cardiac abnormality increase the risk of the contemplated procedure? 2. Will the anesth...

T HE internist frequently is called upon by his surgical colleagues for an opinion concerning the risk of anesthesia and of a surgical procedure in a patient who has organic heart disease. A request of this kind carries with it a number of implied questions, among the most important of which are: 1. Does the cardiac abnormality increase the risk of the contemplated procedure? 2. Will the anesth...

T HE internist frequently is called upon by his surgical colleagues for an opinion concerning the risk of anesthesia and of a surgical procedure in a patient who has organic heart disease. A request of this kind carries with it a number of implied questions, among the most important of which are: 1. Does the cardiac abnormality increase the risk of the contemplated procedure? 2. Will the anesth...

T HE internist frequently is called upon by his surgical colleagues for an opinion concerning the risk of anesthesia and of a surgical procedure in a patient who has organic heart disease. A request of this kind carries with it a number of implied questions, among the most important of which are: 1. Does the cardiac abnormality increase the risk of the contemplated procedure? 2. Will the anesth...