The Annals of thoracic surgery
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The preferred technique for spinal cord protection during surgical repair of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms (DTAAs) remains controversial. The purpose of this retrospective analysis was to determine if the use of left heart bypass (LHB) reduced the incidence of paraplegia in patients who underwent DTAA repair. ⋯ On retrospective analysis the use of LHB during DTAA repair did not reduce the incidence of spinal cord injury. The "clamp-and-sew" technique remains an appropriate approach to DTAA repair.
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The encouraging results of valve repair in the atrioventricular valves have influenced a decision about aortic valve (AV) reconstruction. We report our experience with pericardial cusp extension to repair rheumatic AV disease. ⋯ Although AV repair by extension with pericardium is worth considering with an acceptable solution to achieve a good geometry from unequal cusps, especially in young rheumatic patients for preservation of the native AV, the patients should be followed periodically for reoperation risk.
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The clinical presentation and the preoperative and postoperative complications associated with pulmonary hydatid cysts depend on whether the cyst is intact or ruptured. The aim of this study was to review the problems encountered in treating ruptured pulmonary hydatid cysts and to highlight the risks associated with chemotherapy and the delay of surgical treatment in pulmonary hydatid disease. ⋯ Surgery is the primary mode of treatment for patients with pulmonary hydatid disease. Complicated cases have higher rates of preoperative and postoperative complications and require longer hospitalization time and more extensive surgical procedures than uncomplicated cases. This underlines the need for immediate surgery in any patient who is diagnosed with pulmonary hydatidosis.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Indicators of atrial fibrillation risk in cardiac surgery patients on prophylactic amiodarone.
Atrial fibrillation is a common complication of cardiothoracic surgery (coronary artery bypass graft surgery or cardiac valve repair or replacement). Although predictors of postoperative atrial fibrillation have been explored in patients not receiving prophylactic antiarrhythmic therapy, independent predictors of postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients receiving prophylactic amiodarone have not been elucidated. ⋯ This subanalysis demonstrates some novel predictors of postoperative atrial fibrillation, including diabetes mellitus and postoperative nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug use. We have also demonstrated that predictors of atrial fibrillation differ when prophylactic amiodarone is used.
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Multicenter Study
Longitudinal change in quality of life and impact on survival after left ventricular assist device implantation.
The HeartMate vented electric left ventricular assist device has been approved for use as destination therapy. Thus, the study of quality-of-life outcomes, as well as morbidity and mortality, is imperative. The purpose of our study was to describe change with time (from 1 month to 1 year) in patients who received a HeartMate vented electric left ventricular assist device as a bridge to heart transplantation and to identify quality-of-life predictors of survival after left ventricular assist device implantation. ⋯ Identifying poor quality-of-life outcomes within 1 year after left ventricular assist device implantation provides direction to develop strategies to improve outcomes. Physical and occupational rehabilitation, psychosocial intervention, and monitoring symptom distress and physical disability may contribute to improved quality-of-life outcomes and survival after left ventricular assist device implantation.