title: Extracellular matrix for reconstruction of cardiac structures after tumour resections.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the use of a new extracellular matrix patch as a means for atrial reconstruction in patients with cardiac tumours.
  
  
  METHODS
  A new extracellular matrix patch was used to reconstruct atrial and neighbouring structures after tumour resections. In 1 case, it was used to reconstruct the atrial septum and the left atrial roof after excision of a huge myxoma. In a second case, it was used to reconstruct the right atrium, including the superior vena cava after excision of a primary cardiac sarcoma. In a third case, it was used to reconstruct both atria, the right-sided pulmonary venous confluence and the roof of the coronary sinus after excision of a metastasis of malignant melanoma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all cases, reconstruction was successful and facilitated because of the flexible and thin character of the extracellular matrix, which also seemed to be advantageous with regards to haemostasis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Extracellular matrix patches are a potential alternative for pericardial patches for complex reconstructions of atrial structures because of their pliable characteristics and consecutively reduced need for haemostatic stitches.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland simon.suendermann@usz.ch.
authors.forename: Simon H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Sündermann
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Müggler
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Etem
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Caliskan
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Reser
authors.affiliation: Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Manka
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Holubec
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Czerny
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Volkmar
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Falk
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D054326:Coronary Sinus / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009232:Myxoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D047368:Tumor Burden; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
keywords: Cardiac reconstruction; Cardiac sarcoma; Extracellular matrix