Thoracic Key

Patent Ductus Arteriosus INCISION The ductus arteriosus can be adequately exposed through a small left anterior thoracotomy. A limited left posterolateral thoracotomy through the third or fourth intercostal space partially…

Pulmonary Artery Banding Because most neonates undergo total correction for congenital heart defects, banding of the pulmonary artery is only indicated for specific subgroups of patients. These include patients with…

Vascular Ring and Pulmonary Artery Sling Persistence of both the right and left embryonic dorsal aortic arches results in the development of a double aortic arch. The ascending aorta gives…

Surgery for Atrial Fibrillation The Maze procedure was developed and modified by Dr. James Cox and has proved to be effective for treating atrial fibrillation associated with valvular and ischemic…

Heart Transplantation Heart transplantation has emerged as an effective therapy for patients with end-stage heart diseases. In 2005, a total of 2,125 heart transplants were performed in the United States….

Surgery for Mechanical Complications of Myocardial Infarction The mechanical complications of acute myocardial infarction have serious clinical implications and are generally associated with a poor prognosis. The onset of ischemia…

Cardiac Tumors BENIGN TUMORS Myxoma Primary tumors of the heart are very rare. More than half of the benign tumors are myxomas. Although they can occur in any chamber of…

Surgery of the Tricuspid Valve The most common indication for surgical intervention on the tricuspid valve is functional tricuspid regurgitation. Functional or secondary tricuspid insufficiency occurs frequently in patients with…

Surgical Approaches to the Heart and Great Vessels PRIMARY MEDIAN STERNOTOMY Median sternotomy remains the most widely used incision in cardiac surgery because it provides excellent exposure for most surgeries…

Preparation for Cardiopulmonary Bypass EXPOSURE OF THE HEART Technique The remnant of the thymus gland is dissected free from the pericardium. The thymic vessels are all electrocoagulated to prevent the…