Table 1.

Baseline characteristics of the study and control population

Characteristic	Arista group (n = 103)	Control group (n = 137)	P value
Age (yrs.)	55 ± 12.6 (15–80)	56 ± 13.7 (20–83)	NS
Sex (M/F)	79/24	97/40	NS
Heart transplant	27	26	NS
Cardiac assist devices	52	61	NS
CABG	5	15	NS
Valve procedure	5	14	NS
Lung transplant	8	9	NS
Aortic dissection	2	6	NS
Other*	4	6	NS

*Mediastinal explorations, LV aneurysm repairs.