title: Modified pericardial closure technique in patients with ventricular assist device.
abstract: The use of Gore-Tex (W.L. Gore & Assoc, Flagstaff, AZ) sheet for pericardial closure in patients with left ventricular assist device as a bridge to transplant allows easy dissection of epicardial adhesions and safe resternotomy at the moment of heart transplantation, with no complications or significant cost increase related to the Gore-Tex itself.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vitali
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tiziano
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lanfranconi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bruschi
mesh_terms: D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D010496:Pericardium / Q000601:surgery*; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013536:Suture Techniques
chemical_list: D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene