title: Use of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene pericardial substitute with ventricular assist devices.
abstract: Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane was used to reconstruct the pericardium after ventricular assist device insertion in 7 consecutive patients. One patient remains on support with the membrane in place and 6 have had the membrane removed. The expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane protected the device cannulas during repeat sternotomy and expedited the dissection of the heart and great vessels at the time of device removal. Reconstruction of the pericardium with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane is recommended at the time of ventricular assist device insertion.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham 35294.
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Holman
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Bourge
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Zorn
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Brantley
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Kirklin
mesh_terms: D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000473:pathology; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000473:pathology; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D010491:Pericardial Window Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D010496:Pericardium / Q000473:pathology; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000473:pathology; D012086:Reoperation; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene