cardiothoracic

Libman-Sacks endocarditis (LSE) is a nonbacterial endocarditis associated with lupus, malignancy, and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome characterized by endothelial injury and immune complex deposition typically on left-heart valves (mitral > aortic) causing inflammation and scarring. Unfortunately,...

During embryogenesis, the aortic sac is connected to paired dorsal aortae via six symmetrical aortic (Ao) arches, which give rise to major vascular structures. For example, the right and left common carotid arteries originate...

Alprostadil (Prostaglandin E1, PGE1) is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). PAH is a progressive condition in which the arteries that carry blood from the heart to the...

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) is a surgical revascularization technique where grafts are anastomosed to coronary arteries to bypass occlusions without using cardiopulmonary bypass. As a result, the typical considerations for “on-pump” CABG...

Carcinoid syndrome is most commonly caused by an overproduction of hormones from metastatic midgut tumors and is characterized by diarrhea, flushing, hypotension, and increased airway reactivity. Roughly half of these cases also have carcinoid...

Myxomas are the most common primary, benign cardiac tumors occurring. They typically occur in middle-aged adults with a higher incidence in women. Most commonly, myxomas are located in the left atrium (LA). Large myxomas...

A left ventricular (LV) pseudoaneurysm is an LV outpouching devoid of myocardium/endocardium contained by the pericardium and adhesions. As one can imagine, this pathology carries a high risk of rupture and mortality. LV pseudoaneurysms...

As a cardiothoracic anesthesiologist, hemostasis, coagulopathy, and blood salvation are important considerations in the operations I'm involved with. Cell Saver is one technique our perfusion team routinely utilizes to facilitate blood conservation. Blood loss...