Definition Acquired disease of the systemic veins entails obstruction—partial or complete—of the major veins of the thorax. Veins of surgical importance are the superior and inferior venae cavae (SVC and IVC). Left and right brachiocephalic veins, including the jugular-subclavian vein…
In this chapter, five diseases involving the pulmonary arteries that are amenable to surgical treatment are discussed: acute massive pulmonary embolism, chronic pulmonary thromboembolic disease, pulmonary artery aneurysm, pulmonary artery dissection, and pulmonary artery tumors. Section I Acute Massive Pulmonary…
Definition This chapter considers true aortic aneurysm, false aortic aneurysm, chronic aortic dissection, penetrating arteriosclerotic ulcer, intramural hematoma, and diffuse arteriosclerotic disease. Methods for protecting the brain during operations on the aortic arch are also discussed. True aortic aneurysm is…
Definition Acute aortic dissection is an event of sudden onset in which blood leaves the normal aortic lumen through a usually discrete point of exit (intimal tear) and rapidly dissects inner from outer layers of the media to produce a…
Definition Acute traumatic aortic disruption is rupture of all or part of the aortic wall, usually occurring as a result of blunt trauma. A theoretical sequence of injury involves initial rupture of the intimal and medial layers. After a period…
Section I Chronic Constrictive Pericarditis Definition Chronic constrictive pericarditis is a chronic inflammatory process that involves both fibrous and serous layers of the pericardium, leading to pericardial thickening and compression (constriction) of the ventricles. The resultant impairment in diastolic filling…
Definition Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is a means of imparting energy for forward flow of blood in the body by manmade devices. Its intent is to remove some or all work of cardiac output from either or both left and…
Section I Cardiac Transplantation in Adults without Congenital Heart Disease Definition Cardiac transplantation is a therapeutic procedure whereby the heart of a suitable donor is implanted into a recipient. Historical Note Carrel and Guthrie first reported successful heterotopic cardiac transplantation…
Cardiomyopathy is a cardiac muscle disease process that leads to clinical myocardial dysfunction. The disease process results in morphologic changes in the heart that are typically classified as (1) dilated cardiomyopathy, (2) ischemic cardiomyopathy, (3) hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, (4) restrictive cardiomyopathy,…
Definition Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a genetic myocardial disorder characterized by left and/or right ventricular hypertrophy that is usually, but not always, asymmetric and is associated with microscopic evidence of myocardial fiber disarray and fibrosis. Degree of hypertrophy at any…