Patencies were similar for either of the 2 conduits in each group (log rank analysis, P = .06 and P = .54, respectively). The differences in estimated 5-year patencies were 6.6% (radial minus right internal thoracic artery) in group 1 and 2.9% (radial minus saphenous vein graft) in group 2.

Conclusion: At

mean 5-year angiography in largely asymptomatic patients, the selection of arterial or venous conduit for the second graft has not significantly affected patency. This finding offers surgeons, for now, enhanced flexibility in planning revascularization. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2010; 139: 60-7)”
“The human brain consists of millions of neural nerve cells being interconnected and firing in parallel in order to process information. A fundamental question is how this parallel neuron-firing can result in a unified learn more experience. This is the so-called binding problem – a problem that is one of today’s key see more questions about

brain function and that has puzzled researchers for decades. This article gives a review about the last 50 years of research in this area. It explains what the binding problem is, what classes of binding problems exist, and what the potential solutions suggested so far look like. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Objective: We sought to identify suitable patients for the Ross operation.

Methods: A cohort of 212 patients (mean age, 34 +/- 9 years; 66% men; 82% with congenital aortic valve disease) underwent the Ross operation and was prospectively followed with clinical evaluations and echocardiographic analysis for 3.1 to 18 years

(mean, 10.1 +/- 4.2 years). In addition to longitudinal outcomes determined by means of Kaplan-Meier analysis, Cox regression analysis was used to identify predictors of valve failure.

Results: There were 1 operative and 4 late deaths, none of which were valve related. Survival at 15 years was 96.6% +/- 1.5% and similar to that seen in the general population matched for age and sex. There were 20 reoperations: 13 in the pulmonary autograft, 3 in the pulmonary homograft, and 4 others. Freedom from reoperation in the pulmonary autograft at 15 years was 92.1% +/- 2.3%. Aortic insufficiency was the only independent predictor of reoperation. Freedom from moderate or severe aortic Topotecan HCl insufficiency at 15 years was 89.7%, and greater than mild aortic insufficiency was 63.2%. Male sex, aortic/pulmonary annular mismatch, aortic annulus of 27 mm or larger, and preoperative aortic insufficiency were associated with higher risk of late aortic insufficiency by means of log-rank analysis. Cox regression analysis identified male sex as the only independent predictor of postoperative aortic insufficiency. Freedom from moderate or severe pulmonary insufficiency, peak gradient of 40 mm Hg or greater, or both at 15 years was 70.8% +/- 6.8%, and event-free survival was 81% +/- 3.7%.