Myxomas are the most common form of benign cardiac tumors; these tumors occur primarily in the atria. Most myxomas are idiopathic in origin, but in rare cases, patients have a family history of myxomas. Although these tumors are benign, myxomas have the potential to cause serious complications, including embolic events and partial or complete obstruction of intracardiac blood flow. Currently, there is no effective medical treatment, and surgical excision of the tumor is necessary. Typically, surgical resection of an atrial myxoma is performed via a median sternotomy with the patient on cardiopulmonary bypass. Recurrence of a myxoma after surgical excision is extremely rare, and most patients have an excellent prognosis after surgery.

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a surgical procedure proven successful in the treatment of symptoms caused by cervical degenerative disc disease that is unresponsive to conservative therapy. Retrospective studies of patients who have undergone ACDF indicate that this procedure has a high rate of success for relieving symptoms and a low rate of associated complications. This article discusses normal cervical spine anatomy, the pathology of degenerative cervical disc disease, and perioperative nursing care for patients undergoing ACDF. Cortical ring allograft bone grafting and internal fixation with cervical locking plates also is discussed.

The Bentall procedure is a surgical repair of an ascending aortic or aortic root aneurysm in combination with aortic valve disease. Less commonly, it is used to repair aortic dissection affecting the aortic root and valve. During the procedure, a composite aortic valve graft is used to replace the proximal ascending aorta and aortic valve. The procedure is performed through a median sternotomy during cardiopulmonary bypass. In this modification of the original procedure, coronary artery circulation is maintained by removing a full-thickness "button" of aorta surrounding the coronary ostia, making it easier to implant the proximal end of the coronary arteries into openings made in the aortic vascular graft.

, respectively). QT dispersion and QT corrected for heart rate dispersion decreased from 133 (54) to 71 (33) ms and from 151 (64) to 94 (76) ms, respectively (p < 0.001 for both). LVMI regressed after aortic valve replacement to 190 (79) g/m 2 , p < 0.01. Conclusions-QT dispersion is increased in association with LVMI in patients with significant symptomatic aortic stenosis. Aortic valve replacement reduces QT dispersion and LVMI. QT dispersion could be a useful indicator of risk and risk reduction in patients with significant symptomatic aortic stenosis. (Heart 1999;82:15-18) Keywords: QT dispersion; left ventricular hypertrophy; aortic valve replacement In patients with hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy is a risk factor for ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.

Ebstein's anomaly is a complex, congenital heart defect characterized by a malformation of the tricuspid valve and right side of the heart. A variety of cardiac abnormalities are associated with Ebstein's anomaly, including atrial septal defect, conduction system abnormalities, patent foramen ovale, pulmonary stenosis or atresia, and ventricular septal defect.The clinical course of a patient with Ebstein's anomaly depends on the severity of the abnormalities present. Surgical repair of Ebstein's anomaly involves repair or replacement of the tricuspid valve and repair of any associated cardiac abnormalities.