Comparison of different needle diameters and flow rates on bone marrow mononuclear stem cell viability: an ex vivo experimental study.

Considerable information is available regarding the experimental and clinical applications of bone marrow derived stem cells (BMDSC) for regenerative medicine. Optimized stem cell delivery systems might help to maintain better stem cell viability. We have investigated whether needle diameters and flow rates through the needles cause any difference in terms of BMDSC viability.

First pulmonary valve replacement with Freedom Solo stentless valve in an adolescent. A case report.

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is a common form of cyanotic heart disease. Complete surgical correction in younger age group offers good long-term results with reasonable morbidity and improved prognosis in patients with TOF. However, following corrective surgery pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) might be required for residual pulmonary regurgitation in order to avoid irreversible right ventricular remodeling. Otherwise, residual uncorrected pulmonary regurgitation may lead to right ventricular dilatation, impaired biventricular function, ventricular arrhythmias and limited exercise capacity. We report the first case of Freedom Solo stentless valve (Sorin Group, Saluggia, Italy) implantation in the pulmonary position in an adolescent with severe pulmonary insufficiency 12 years after the repair of TOF. Pericardial stentless valves may be an alternative choice for pulmonary valve replacement to improve right ventricular contractile recovery and remodeling after PVR and may have impact on long-term survival.