General

Bio-patches for the treatment of valvular disease have been evaluated in clinical trials. It has been shown that failure of these devices, occurring within a few years of implantation, may be due to cytotoxicity, immune response, calcification and thrombosis. Some of these effects may be due to the glutaraldehyde crosslinking process used in the preparation of the materials. A number of studies have focused on strategies to control calcification, while others have concentrated on the prevention...

CONCLUSIONS: Duroplasty prevents collapse of the dura-mater over the spinal cord tissue, as well as invasion of the lesion by extramedullary fibrotic tissue, without creating additional neural damage. Nevertheless, it enhances the fibrotic response in the spinal cord lesion and the perilesional area. Additional antifibrotic strategies are needed to facilitate spinal cord repair.

CONCLUSIONS: Patch augmentation of the MPA was associated with acceptable outcomes, while patch augmentation of PA branch stenosis remained independently associated with re-intervention. None of the used patch materials demonstrated superiority; however, BP had a higher rate of re-interventions.

Lung transplantation is the only life-saving treatment for lung diseases that do not respond to medical treatment. Heart-lung harvesting requires a careful procedure to protect an adequate donor left atrial cu...

Lung transplantation is the only life-saving treatment for lung diseases that do not respond to medical treatment. Heart-lung harvesting requires a careful procedure to protect an adequate donor left atrial cu...

Lung transplantation is the only life-saving treatment for lung diseases that do not respond to medical treatment. Heart-lung harvesting requires a careful procedure to protect an adequate donor left atrial cu...

Lung transplantation is the only life-saving treatment for lung diseases that do not respond to medical treatment. Heart-lung harvesting requires a careful procedure to protect an adequate donor left atrial cu...

Lung transplantation is the only life-saving treatment for lung diseases that do not respond to medical treatment. Heart-lung harvesting requires a careful procedure to protect an adequate donor left atrial cu...

Lung transplantation is the only life-saving treatment for lung diseases that do not respond to medical treatment. Heart-lung harvesting requires a careful procedure to protect an adequate donor left atrial cu...

CONCLUSIONS: Duroplasty prevents collapse of the dura-mater over the spinal cord tissue, as well as invasion of the lesion by extramedullary fibrotic tissue, without creating additional neural damage. Nevertheless, it enhances the fibrotic response in the spinal cord lesion and the perilesional area. Additional antifibrotic strategies are needed to facilitate spinal cord repair.