Unlike routine thermal care, the Allon thermoregulation system maintains core normothermia in more than 80% of patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. Normothermia is associated with better cardiac and vascular conditions, a lower cardiac injury rate, and a lower inflammatory response. The close correlation between the increased interleukin 6 and troponin I levels in the routine thermal care group indicates a potential deleterious effect of lowered temperature on the patient's outcome.

Surgically implanted bioprosthetic valves provide excellent support for off-pump insertion of a valved stent. Further experiments are necessary, in particular with appropriate valve size, before considering this approach for percutaneous mitral valvular replacement in patients with a dysfunctional bioprosthesis.

No abstract

The outcome was encouraging in patients who were eligible for completed biventricular repair. Although considered as unique alternative to cardiopulmonary transplantation, the justification for palliative surgery to improve pulmonary blood flow remains to be established.