No abstract

The data indicate that use of MECs leads to a lower transfusion rate than in surgeries in which conventional CPB is used.

No abstract

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) has become an invaluable tool in the treatment of coronary artery disease. However, it is not without risks. For the PTCA patient who develops signs and symptoms of an evolving myocardial infarction, the time delay involved in the transportation of the patient from the angiography suite to the operating room becomes important. Institution of cardiopulmonary bypass in the angiography suite has enabled the successful transport of the patient to the operating room in a hemodynamically stable condition. We now present two case reports of patients treated with emergent percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass following the development of myocardial infarction during PTCA.

Patients with congestive heart failure commonly display dysynchronous contraction patterns and weakened cardiac performance. Cardiac resynchronization therapy from biventricular pacing has been proven effective using coronary sinus cannulation or a less common surgical approach. In this study, the beneficial effects of implanting biventricular leads using the surgical approach for New York Heart Association functional class 3 or 4 patients (mean, 3.4 +/- 0.5) were evaluated in 19 patients (17 male, 2 female). Pacing thresholds after 2 years were deemed favorable (left ventricle, 2.1 +/- 0.8 V; right ventricle, 1.1 +/- 0.4 V). Dobutamine therapy was no longer needed in 2 patients after they underwent biventricular pacing. No mortality or morbidity resulted from the procedure, and 2 patients were readmitted to the hospital, once each after the procedure over the 2-year follow-up period. The data show that the surgical approach for cardiac resynchronization therapy has durable long-term results.