title: Organ-conserving cardiac surgery.
abstract: The goal of organ-conserving cardiac surgery is the preservation of heart function in the setting of heart failure. One way to improve heart function is left ventricular surgical reconstruction. This article briefly reviews the pathophysiology of left ventricular cardiomyopathy and the evolution of surgical left ventricular reconstruction techniques. These techniques are now part of a well-accepted concept with satisfactory perioperative mortality and morbidity. Further studies are warranted before definitive recommendations regarding surgical ventricular reconstruction can be given.
authors.affiliation: Heart Centre Freiburg University, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rylski
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Beyersdorf
keywords: heart failure; left ventricular surgical reconstruction; surgical techniques