Cardiology Commons^™

Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency Training In Surgical Ablation For Atrial Fibrillation., Zachary M Deboard, Thomas K Varghese, John R Doty, Craig H Selzman

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

Background: As no standardized curriculum exists for training cardiothoracic surgery residents in surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation there is potential for variation in operative technique, patient selection, and overall application. Thus we sought to assess the exposure of current residents in order to identify areas for improvement in their education.

Methods: A survey was emailed to residents inquiring about their training experience in surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation. Residents were asked about case volume, procedural variety, and guideline-based clinical scenarios where they felt ablation would be appropriate. Residents were also queried about their abilities to perform various lesion sets and …

Aortic Valve Opening And Closure: The Clover Dynamics., Emmanuel Lansac, Hou-Sen Lim, Yu Shomura, Khee Hiang Lim, Nolan T Rice, Isabelle Di Centa, Pouya Youssefi, Wolfgang Goetz, Carlos M G Duran

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

Background: Systolic aortic root expansion is reported to facilitate valve opening, but the precise dynamics remain unknown. A sonometric study with a high data sampling rate (200 to 800 Hz) was conducted in an acute ovine model to better understand the timing, mechanisms, and shape of aortic valve opening and closure.

Methods: Eighteen piezoelectric crystals were implanted in 8 sheep at each annular base, commissures, sinus of Valsalva, sinotubular junction, nodulus of Arantius, and ascending aorta (AA). Geometric changes were time related to pressures and flows.

Results: The aortic root was hemodynamically divided into left ventricular (LV) and aortic compartments …