Open heart operations using disposable plastic oxygenators, 5% dextrose in distilled water prime, normothermia, and a sigmamotor pump (T-M2)

Open heart operations were successfully performed on six consecutive patients at the Philippine General Hospital. Total cardiopulmonary bypass was accomplished using disposable plastic oxygenators, five percent dextrose in distilled water prime, normothermia and a single sigmamotor pump (T-M2). The technic of perusion, clinical material, physiologic data gathered and the financial costs of these operations were discussed. All the patients survived their operations. No complication could be attributable to the method of cardiopulmonary bypass employed. The technic of cardiopulmonary bypass described appears practical, safe, and relatively inexpensive. This method of bypass has been adopted for use by the Department of Surgery for all types of open heart operations. (Author)

The diagnosis of mitral stenosis and the complications of mitral commissurotomy

The symptoms, signs and diagnosis of mitral stenosis are reviewed. 155 cases of mitral commissurotomy are presented. The patients were grouped according to the classification of the New York Heart Association. The usual indication for surgery is the presence of symptoms. The contraindications are enumerated. The complications of mitral commissurotomy are reviewed. (Summary)