title: Bicaval versus standard technique in orthotopic heart transplantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of the bicaval and the biatrial standard techniques in orthotopic heart transplantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic review with meta-analysis was performed. As data sources, we used the electronic databases EMBASE and Medline (1966-August 2006), hand searching in 4 journals, expert consultation, and reference lists of reviews. Observational and randomized and prospective and retrospective controlled trials that reported outcomes on the 2 techniques of heart transplantation were considered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 23 retrospective and 18 prospective studies were included. Meta-analyses of prospective trials including between 228 and 472 patients revealed significant superiority of the bicaval technique in comparison with the biatrial procedure for early atrial pressure (weighted mean difference, -3.95; 95% confidence interval, -6.50 to -1.40), perioperative mortality (odds ratio, 0.41; 95% confidence interval, 0.17 to 0.98), tricuspid valve regurgitation (odds ratio, 0.23; 95% confidence interval, 0.15 to 0.36), and sinus rhythm (odds ratio, 7.01; 95% confidence interval, 2.57 to 19.13). The latter also showed a significant difference in the analysis of retrospective studies (odds ratio, 2.69; 95% confidence interval, 1.55 to 4.66).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In summary, this systematic review and meta-analysis provides evidence of clinically relevant beneficial effects of the bicaval technique in comparison with those of the standard technique. Nevertheless, the longer-term beneficial effects of the bicaval technique remain to be evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Social Medicine, Medical University of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany. Maike.schnoor@uk-sh.de
authors.forename: Maike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schnoor
authors.forename: Torsten
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schäfer
authors.forename: Dagmar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lühmann
authors.forename: Hans H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Sievers
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome