Expanded PTFE membrane to prevent cardiac injury during resternotomy for congenital heart disease
Abstract
Resternotomy for repair of congenital cardiac defects can result in cardiac injury. Closure of the pericardium during the initial operation may prevent this, and several pericardial substitutes have been tried, with variable results, in patients in whom primary pericardial closure is not possible. We conducted a multicenter observational study of the use of the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane (Preclude Pericardial Membrane, formerly called the Gore-Tex Surgical Membrane; W. L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ) in patients likely to undergo reoperation for treatment of congenital heart disease. Data were collected retrospectively on all patients in whom the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane was inserted at the initial operation for congenital heart disease at 12 centers in 1984 to 1993. A total of 1,085 patients (mean age, 55 +/- 2.5 months) received the membrane. During follow-up ranging from 1.3 to 10.5 years, 105 reoperations were performed. Injury during resternotomy occurred in only 1 patient (1% of reoperations). There were no membrane-related deaths or complications in the entire series of 1,085 patients. The expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane was safe and effective in helping to prevent cardiac i...Continue Reading
References
Citations
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
Cardiac Conduction System
The cardiac conduction system is a specialized tract of myocardial cells responsible for maintaining normal cardiac rhythm. Discover the latest research on the cardiac conduction system here.
Birth Defects
Birth defects encompass structural and functional alterations that occur during embryonic or fetal development and are present since birth. The cause may be genetic, environmental or unknown and can result in physical and/or mental impairment. Here is the latest research on birth defects.