Surgical epicardial lead placement revealed excellent long-term results and a lower LV-related complication rate compared to CS-leads. Although, the approach via limited thoracotomy for biventricular pacing is associated with 'more surgery', it is a safe and reliable technique and should be considered as an equal alternative.

Factor XIII administration reduces postoperative blood loss and the extent of blood transfusion after coronary surgery, however administration is only helpful if plasma levels are below the normal value. Measurement of plasma levels is recommended before Factor XIII substitution.

Central venous pressure, capillary wedge pressure, right atrial and right ventricular end diastolic volumes are no suitable preload parameters in cardiac surgery intensive care, compared to intrathoracic and global end diastolic blood volumes. The latter show a higher clinical value and can be obtained by less invasive methods, as no pulmonary artery catheter is required.

The preliminary data from this first prospectively randomized trial indicate that microwave ablation combined with atrial size reduction is a safe and highly efficient treatment in permanent atrial fibrillation.

Oligoaza derivatives of biphenyl, terphenyl, quaterphenyl, quinquephenyl, sexiphenyl, septiphenyl, octiphenyl, noviphenyl, deciphenyl and dodeciphenyl and poly(pyrimidinylenephenylene) can be synthesized from readily accessible vinamidinium salts and amidines or N,N,N'-tris(trimethylsilyl)amidines. The fluorescence of these systems can be tuned over a wide spectral range by varying number and positions of N atoms. Oligo(diazaphenyls) are thermally and photochemically stable, are easier to reduce than oligophenyls, can be dissolved at any rate in strong acids and show strong blue fluorescence in solution as well as in the solid state.

No abstract

In this investigation, we hypothesize that quality of oral anticoagulation (OA) and long-term outcome after mechanical heart valve (MHV) replacement with self-management (Self-M) of OA is superior to conventional anticoagulation treatment (Conv-T), even in outside trial conditions. One hundred sixty patients (78.8% aortic valve replacements) were trained in international normalized ratio Self-M and 260 patients (86.2% aortic valve replacements) preferred Conv-T. Mean follow-up was 8.6 ± 2.1 years, representing 3612 patient-years. During follow-up, 37.2% bleedings and 10.6% thromboembolic events were recorded in the Self-M group versus 39.6% bleedings (P = 0.213) and 15.4% thromboembolic events (P = 0.064) in the Conv-T group. Serious adverse events were significantly lower in the Self-M group [grade III bleeding events causing disability or death: 0 versus 4.6% (P = 0.03); grade III thromboembolic events: 0.6 versus 5.0% (P = 0.011)]. Patients with Self-M were significantly more satisfied with their OA management and their quality of life (P < 0.001). Actuarial survival after 1, 5 and 10 years was 100, 99 and 97 with Self-M and 100, 95 and 81% with Conv-T, respectively (P < 0.001). Univariate risk factors for mortality were age (P = 0.008), type of operation (P = 0.021) and conventional OA (P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, only conventional OA reached significance (P < 0.001). We conclude that in a routine setting under outside trial conditions Self-M of OA improves long-term outcome and treatment quality.

Re-OPCAB results in decreased cardiac specific enzyme release, reduced requirement of inotropes and comparable clinical outcome in the early postoperative period. It is an appropriate alternative to conventional Re-CABG in selected patients awaiting reoperation for myocardial revascularization. Larger prospective and randomized trials are required to select the appropriate patient who benefits most from one or the other treatment regime.