Nello Degno

Publications (5)7.47 Total impact

• Article: Unusual presentation of ruptured descending thoracic aortic aneurysm.

  Pasquale Totaro, Nello Degno, Delia Sprini, Vincenzo Argano
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  ABSTRACT: We here report a very unusual presentation of ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm. In a 50-year-old patient, almost asymptomatic and in stable clinical conditions, the chest radiograph and computed tomography scan revealed a right-sided rupture of a previously undiagnosed thoracic aortic aneurysm. The patient was treated successfully with an emergency surgical procedure.
  Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine 05/2007; 8(4):291-2. · 1.51 Impact Factor
• Article: Longitudinal reinforcement for treatment of sternal dehiscence.

  Pasquale Totaro, Nello Degno, Vincenzo Argano
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  ABSTRACT: Re-fixation of the sternum after sternal dehiscence is still a problem following cardiac surgery. An original technique that allows reinforcement against various causes of dehiscence is described. The technique consists of 3 additional overlapping longitudinal wires set on both sides of the sternum. Over 2 years, this technique was applied in 34 patients, with complete sternal re-fixation in all, and no signs of recurrence on follow-up.
  Asian cardiovascular & thoracic annals 11/2006; 14(5):432-4.
• Article: Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT Magna bioprosthesis: a stented valve with stentless performance?

  Pasquale Totaro, Nello Degno, Afzal Zaidi, Aprim Youhana, Vincenzo Argano
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  ABSTRACT: We designed this study to evaluate the early hemodynamic performance of the recently introduced Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT Magna bioprosthesis (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, Calif) and compare it with those of the conventional Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT stented bioprosthesis (Edwards Lifesciences) and Edwards Prima Plus porcine stentless bioprosthesis (Edwards Lifesciences). Sixty-three patients (>70 years old) were enrolled in this prospective, randomized study. At operation, once the annulus had been measured, the best size suitable was assessed for each of the three valves before random assignment. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed before discharge to evaluate early postoperative hemodynamic performances of the different valves implanted. The best size suitable of Edwards Prima Plus (24.3 +/- 1.7 mm) was significantly superior to those of both the Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT Magna (23.4 +/- 2.1 mm) and Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT (22.4 +/- 1.8 mm). The best size suitable of the Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT Magna, however, was significantly superior to that of the Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT. Furthermore the best size suitable of the Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT Magna was equal to the measured annulus in 55% of patients, as opposed to 25% for the Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT (P < .001). Mean implanted labeled size of the Edwards Prima Plus was significantly higher than those of both the Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT Magna and the Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT (24.6 +/- 1.9 mm, 23.1 +/- 1.9 mm, and 22.5 +/- 1.8 mm, respectively). Early postoperative hemodynamic performance of the Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT Magna, however, was superior to those of both the Edwards Prima Plus and the Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT in both effective orifice area index (1.07 +/- 0.4 cm2/m2, 0.87 +/- 0.3 cm2/m2, and 0.80 +/- 0.2 cm2/m2, respectively) and mean peak gradient (20 +/- 6 mm Hg, 27 +/- 8 mm Hg, and 28 +/- 12 mm Hg, respectively). The improved design of the recently introduced third-generation stented bioprosthesis Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT Magna allows implantation of a significantly bigger valve than with the old generation. Furthermore, the improved hemodynamic performance of the Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT Magna compares favorably with both the Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT and the Edwards Prima Plus.
  The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery 12/2005; 130(6):1668-74. · 3.41 Impact Factor
• Article: The missing intra-aortic balloon pump catheter.

  Pasquale Totaro, Nello Degno, John Smith, Vincenzo Argano
  Italian heart journal: official journal of the Italian Federation of Cardiology 05/2005; 6(4):361-2.
• Article: CABG in obese patient: is the degree of obesity the key factor?

  Pasquale Totaro, Nello Degno, Vincenzo Argano
  European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery 04/2005; 27(3):530; author reply 530-1. · 2.55 Impact Factor