Closed tibial pilon fractures treated with external fixation

Fractures of tibial pilon are due to a high energy trauma. Associated skin complications are frequent as those of surgery of this pattern. Thus we performed external fixation as treatment for these fractures. Authors report a retrospective study of 17 closed fracture of tibial pilon, type C of Ruedi and Heim classification, treated by osteotaxis using external fixation of Hoffman with osteosynthesis of fibula by screwed plate. Our patients are of a mean age of 34 years with 11 men and 6 women. The right side was most frequently involved (12 patients). Skin injuries as phlyctena were seen in 6 patients. Delay of treatment did not exceed 72 h. We performed a closed reduction of the fracture of tibial pilon after internal fixation of fibula by screwed plate. Results were assessed after 24 months of study. Track pins infection was noted in three cases. Reduction was usually good, despite one case of recurvatum, one case of valgus, one case of Sudeck’s atrophy, three cases of arthritis have been noticed. Mobility decreased at about 30%. External fixation is a real alternative solution for treatment of these fractures for which osteosynthesis is not suitable. It allows us to avoid skin complications despite mobility decreasing.      

Hybrid Interventional Procedures in Congenital Heart Disease

The evolution of congenital cardiac surgery has seen significant innovative advances in collaborative efforts between congenital cardiac surgeons and interventionalists to provide the least invasive intervention with the greatest hemodynamic benefit for patients with congenital heart disease. This review looks at how this collaborative approach has evolved and is being applied to treat a number of congenital conditions across the age ranges.     

PFO closure complications from the AGA registry

Objectives: To evaluate all complications that occurred during or after cardiac catheterizations for Amplatzer PFO device closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO), determine the cause of the complications and recommend techniques to minimize complications in the future. Background: Rare complications were reported to the manufacturer of the Amplatzer PFO occluder since the introduction of the device. Methods: A panel of independent physicians reviewed all complications reported to the manufacturer to determine whether the complication was related to the device or related to the cardiac catheterization procedure. Demographic data, echocardiograms, operative reports, and time to occurrence of complications were reviewed. Results: A total of 11 events were reported. Only two patients had device related complications (erosion), an incidence of 0.018%. Two patients were found to have additional atrial septal defect after PFO closure. Two patients were thought to have an inflammatory reaction without any serious sequelae. Five complications were related to the cardiac catheterization procedure (atrial appendage perforation). Conclusions: Device related complications after Amplatzer PFO occluder placement are extremely rare. Cardiac catheterization related complications appear to be the most common cause of the hemodynamic compromise. Careful manipulation of catheters and wires, recognition of the location of the catheter by fluoroscopy and echocardiography will decrease the risk of such complications. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Use of intracardiac echocardiography to guide catheter closure of atrial communications

Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) is slowly replacing transesophageal echocardiography as the preferred imaging tool to guide device closure of atrial septal defects and patent foramen ovale. This article is a brief review of the literature related to ICE, the technical aspects ICE imaging, techniques for obtaining the standard views, and the future directions of this methodology.     

Atrial function in the Fontan circulation: comparison with invasively assessed systemic ventricular filling pressure

The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - Abnormal atrial mechanics in biventricular circulations have been associated with elevated left heart filling pressures. Similar associations...