The SBP continues to perform satisfactorily even in the long term with low incidence of valve-related mortality and morbidity confirming to be an extremely reliable and durable mechanical valve substitute.

No abstract

This first study evaluating INR self-monitoring in France shows that this method leads to better stability of the INR within the target range. On the basis of these preliminary data, this appears to be related to a decrease in serious haemorrhages (11.8% serious haemorrhage cases in group A versus 0% in group B, p=0.06, NS).

No abstract

Right bundle branch block (RBBB) is usually considered almost unaviodable after repair of teralogy of Fallot (TOF). By modifications of the standard technique, its frequency has been decreased to 32% in a series of 1000 consecutive patients. These modifications are: (1) a very short right ventricular incision avoiding the ventriculotomy-induced RBBB pattern; (2) an infundibular resection limited to the septal attachment of the infundibular septum; and (3) closure of the ventricular septal defect with a patch sutured to the very edge of the muscular septum, avoiding injury to the right bundle along the right aspect of the septum. No patient in this series sustained permanent complete atrioventricular heart block. Among patients with RBBB, five had a left anterior hemiblock. Postoperative intraventricular conduction was related to age at operation: The incidence of RBBB was significatively higher in infants. The beneficial effects of a low incidence of postoperative RBBB after repair of TOF are not known.