ABSTRACT
Spontaneous rupture of the right ventricle during the early postoperative period is a serious and potentially lethal complication. The inherent friability of the ventricular tissue makes repair difficult since myocardium is frequently weakened by infarction, mediastinitis or trauma caused by an unstable sternum or broken sternal wires. We present a novel yet simple technique for repairing the ruptured anterior wall of the right ventricle in a patient three weeks following coronary artery bypass surgery.
Subject(s)
Coronary Artery Bypass/adverse effects , Heart Ventricles/surgery , Pericardium/transplantation , Sternotomy/adverse effects , Surgical Wound Dehiscence/surgery , Suture Techniques , Animals , Bone Wires , Cattle , Equipment Failure , Heart Rupture/etiology , Heart Rupture/surgery , Heart Ventricles/injuries , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Reoperation , Sternotomy/instrumentation , Surgical Wound Dehiscence/etiology , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Primary malignant cardiac neoplasms are extremely rare. The occurrence of a malignant lymphoid tumour within a left atrial myxoma is highly atypical, with only one such case previously reported. Here, we describe a patient who presented with symptoms and signs of a left atrial myxoma. Subsequent specimen histology demonstrated the presence of lymphoma within the myxoma. We discuss the importance of histological diagnosis in order to best direct treatment and prognosis of such cases.
Subject(s)
Heart Neoplasms/pathology , Lymphoma/pathology , Myxoma/pathology , Aged , Cardiac Surgical Procedures , Cardiopulmonary Bypass , Female , Heart Atria/pathology , Heart Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Heart Neoplasms/surgery , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Lymphoma/diagnostic imaging , Lymphoma/surgery , Myxoma/diagnostic imaging , Myxoma/surgery , Sternotomy , Treatment Outcome , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
Wound complications are a well-recognised entity following median sternotomy. Soft tissue reconstruction in the form of muscle flaps generally provides adequate wound stability; nevertheless, skeletal reconstruction of the anterior chest wall is sometimes necessary. We describe a novel technique applied in three patients for reconstructing fragments of the sternum using a titanium mesh that provides a scaffold for the bony union.
ABSTRACT
The idea of myocardial revascularization by means of grafting the coronary venous system is more than a century old; in cases of diffuse coronary artery disease, this may represent a valid therapeutic option. We present a challenging case in which a patient with an aberrant left coronary system and unstable angina underwent this type of procedure with good clinical results.
