Tissue "valve-over-valve" implantation in previous mechanical Bentall.

Multiple studies have reported the adverse impact of audible clicks from mechanical heart valves on the quality of life. Sadly, this can become a lifelong liability in younger patients necessitating explantation. Bioprosthetic valve replacement is the treatment for this distressing condition associated with an isolated mechanical valve. However, patients who have undergone a mechanical Bentall's procedure represent a unique surgical challenge. In view of the significant complications associated with a redo aortic root operation, the alternative of a "valve-over-valve" implantation is an attractive option that might present reduced morbidity. We report a unique case of valve noise intolerance in a patient who underwent a bioprosthetic valve-over-valve replacement following previous Bentall's procedure with a mechanical valved conduit.

Outcomes of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy in septuagenarians.

BACKGROUND: Spread of technology and increased surveillance have led to more patients with lung cancers being identified than ever before. Increasingly, patients from the elderly population are referred for surgery; however, many studies do not focus on this patient group. We reviewed the outcomes of septuagenarians who underwent lobectomy via an open thoracotomy (OT) or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) approach to determine whether the VATS approach would result in superior post-operative outcomes. METHODS: Between January 2010 and June 2016, a total of 96 patients aged 70 years or older underwent a lobectomy for non-small cell lung carcinoma. Patients who underwent resection for metastatic disease, small cell lung cancer or neuroendocrine tumour were excluded. Demographic details, early and late post-operative outcomes including post-operative arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, respiratory failure, cerebrovascular events, infection, prolonged air leak, delirium, readmission and 30-day mortality were studied. Mean follow-up duration was 23 ± 19.1 months. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients underwent lobectomy via a VATS approach and 21 patients underwent lobectomy via an OT approach. There was no 30-day mortality and no difference in overall survival between the two techniques (P = 0.25). There was no significant difference between the two techniques with regard to post-operative stroke, myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, pneumonia, delirium or bronchopleural fistula. VATS patients had a significantly shorter mean hospital length of stay (VATS 4.7 days, OT 9.3 days, P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Septuagenarians with non-small cell lung carcinoma can successfully undergo curative lung resection with a low incidence of post-operative complications.

Ruptured penetrating ulcer of the ascending aorta with pulmonary artery compression.

Pulmonary artery involvement has been reported in various degrees of complicated dissection of the ascending aorta. The prognosis remains poor without high-risk surgical intervention, but conservative management can be considered in high-risk cases. We report a case of nonoperative management of an octogenarian who presented with a contained rupture of his proximal ascending aorta, likely from a penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer. It was complicated by extrinsic compression of the pulmonary trunk and transient pulmonary hypertension without features of acute right heart failure. He remained alive at the one-year follow-up.