Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Jul 2015
Efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy for lung adenocarcinoma patients with positive pleural lavage cytology findings.
Positive pleural lavage cytology (PLC) findings are considered to be predictive of a poor prognosis in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We investigated the clinical benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy for lung adenocarcinoma patients with positive PLC findings. ⋯ Adjuvant chemotherapy for lung adenocarcinoma patients with positive PLC findings significantly improved recurrence-free survival.
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Jul 2015
Phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells in animal model of rat thoracic aortic aneurysm.
To explore if there is phenotypic switching in the vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) of rat thoracic aortic aneurysms and the role it plays in the process of aneurysm formation. ⋯ There is vSMC phenotypic switching in animal models as seen through the rat thoracic aortic aneurysms. This may play an important role in the formation of aneurysms. Our findings are relevant to human aneurysms and may be conducive in the research of aortic aneurysm pathology and treatment.
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Jul 2015
ReviewIs the learning curve for video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy affected by prior experience in open lobectomy?
A best evidence topic was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed is the learning curve for video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) lobectomy affected by prior experience in open lobectomy? Two hundred and two studies were identified of which seven presented the best evidence on the topic. The authors, date, journal, country of publication, study type, participating surgeon and relevant outcomes are tabulated. ⋯ Four trainee surgeons who had performed at least 50 open pulmonary resections each managed to achieve a similar mean operative time to their consultant in their first 46 cases, and a lower morbidity (26 vs 34.7%). There was no increase in mortality in the trainee groups. Surgeons with limited experience in open lobectomy can achieve good outcomes in VATS lobectomy comparable with their more experienced seniors.
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Jul 2015
Predictors of post-recurrence survival in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer initially completely resected.
Despite recent progress in diagnostic technology and therapeutic approaches to non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), 30-75% of patients develop tumour recurrence after resection. However, the details of post-recurrence survival (PRS) are not well understood. We aimed to investigate the predictors of PRS in patients with NSCLC initially completely resected. ⋯ The current results showed that non-adenocarcinoma histology, elevated serum CEA at recurrence and no systemic chemotherapy were independent unfavourable post-recurrence prognostic factors. The current data can be informative for patient follow-up after complete resection and further clinical investigation may give us more information about PRS and accurate treatment strategy for recurrent NSCLC after initial complete resection.
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Jul 2015
Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy following total artificial heart implantation.
Coagulation disorders and an immune-altered state are common among total artificial heart patients. In this context, we sought to evaluate the safety of percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy in cases of prolonged need for mechanical ventilatory support. We retrospectively analysed the charts of 11 total artificial heart patients who received percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy. ⋯ Late complications, including subglottic stenosis, stomal infection or infections of the lower respiratory tract, were not observed. In conclusion, percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy in total artificial heart patients is safe. Considering the well-known benefits of early tracheotomy over prolonged translaryngeal intubation, we advocate early timing of therapy in cases of prolonged mechanical ventilation.