Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Jul 2009
Review Meta AnalysisAprotinin increases mortality as compared with tranexamic acid in cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized head-to-head trials.
To determine whether aprotinin increases mortality as compared with tranexamic acid in cardiac surgery, we performed a meta-analysis of randomized head-to-head trials. All prospective randomized head-to-head trials of aprotinin vs. tranexamic acid enrolling patients undergoing cardiac surgery were identified using a web-based search engine (PubMed). For each study, data regarding mortality in both the aprotinin and tranexamic acid groups were used to generate risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). ⋯ Seven trials were composed of low-risk patients (n=1291) and two trials consisted of low-risk patients (n=1628). Pooled analysis of the nine trials demonstrated a statistically significant 45% increase in mortality with aprotinin relative to tranexamic acid therapy (RR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.00 [1.0002]-2.11; P=0.05 [0.0499]). The present meta-analysis of updated all randomized head-to-head trials, the best evidence, demonstrated a statistically significant increase in mortality with aprotinin relative to tranexamic acid therapy in cardiac surgery.
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Jul 2009
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyPrevention of perioperative atrial fibrillation with betablockers in coronary surgery: betaxolol versus metoprolol.
In this study, we tried to compare the efficacy and safety of betaxolol vs. metoprolol immediately postoperatively in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients and to determine whether prophylaxy for atrial fibrillation (AF) with betaxolol could reduce hospitalization and economic costs after cardiac surgery. Our trial was open-label, randomized, multicentric enrolling 1352 coronary surgery patients randomized to receive betaxolol or metoprolol. The primary endpoints were the composites of 30-day mortality, in-hospital AF (safety endpoints), duration of hospitalization and immobilization, quality of life, and the above endpoint plus in-hospital embolic event, bradycardia, gastrointestinal symptoms, sleep disturbances, cold extremities (efficacy plus safety endpoint). ⋯ In the two study groups minor side effects were similar and no major complication was reported (P<0.001). Patient compliance was good and the general condition improved due to shortened hospitalization and immobilization with subsequent improvement in the psychological status, less arrhythmias and lack of significant side effects. In conclusion, because of its efficacy and safety, betaxolol was superior to metoprolol for the prevention of the early postoperative AF in coronary surgery.
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Jul 2009
Comparative StudyTranspulmonary versus continuous thermodilution cardiac output after valvular and coronary artery surgery.
Residual left-sided valvular insufficiencies after valvular surgery may confound transpulmonary thermodilution cardiac output (COtp). We compared the technique with the continuous right-sided thermodilution technique (CCO) after valvular surgery (n=8) and coronary artery surgery (n=8). Patients with pulmonary and femoral artery catheters in the intensive care unit (ICU) were included. ⋯ At fluid-induced CCO increases <20%, the r for changes in cardiac output measured by both techniques was similar after valvular and coronary artery surgery. Thus, COtp and CCO were of similar value in predicting and monitoring fluid responses after both surgery types. This argues against left-sided valvular insufficiencies confounding COtp.
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Jul 2009
Case ReportsThoracoscopic drainage of ascending mediastinitis arising from pancreatic pseudocyst.
Acute mediastinitis is a life-threatening disease. Common etiologies include surgical infection, esophageal perforation, and descending necrotizing mediastinitis from the oral cavity or pharynx. Mediastinitis caused by pancreatic disease is rare. ⋯ We report a case of acute mediastinitis and bilateral empyema thoracis arising from a pancreatic pseudocyst. We utilized thoracoscopy to drain the mediastinum without drainage of the intra-abdominal cyst. The patient recovered well after operation.