The Annals of thoracic surgery
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Amiodarone cost effectiveness in preventing atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
The purpose of this study was to estimate the costs and health benefits of routinely administered postoperative amiodarone as prevention of atrial fibrillation for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for stable angina. ⋯ Routine use of postoperative prophylactic intravenous bolus and subsequent 5 days of oral amiodarone therapy after coronary artery bypass grafting reduces the risk of atrial fibrillation and decreases the total costs of care by 175 euros per patient.
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Hiccupping is a characteristic noise caused by a sudden closure of the glottis after repeated, involuntary, spasmodic contraction of the respiratory muscles. Hiccupping caused by gastric distention, spicy foods, and neural dysfunction often resolves itself without any treatment. ⋯ The cause of hiccups should be expressly stated for treatment. We report a case of inoperable esophagogastric junction tumor with hiccupping after esophageal stent that could only be treated with baclofen.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Ventilation during cardiopulmonary bypass: impact on cytokine response and cardiopulmonary function.
A complex inflammatory response associated with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass may ultimately lead to organ dysfunction. We investigate the effect of continuing ventilation during cardiopulmonary bypass on inflammatory reactions and cardiopulmonary function. ⋯ Continued ventilation during cardiopulmonary bypass results in lesser inflammatory and proteolytic responses, and may better preserve pulmonary function than cardiopulmonary bypass without ventilation.
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The fate of the truncal valve (TV) after truncus arteriosus repair remains poorly defined. The purpose of this report was to analyze how the TV influences outcome of truncus arteriosus repair. ⋯ Initial TV insufficiency is associated with higher reoperation rate. This condition requires more refined techniques of TV plasty. The overall long-term freedom of TV reintervention rate remains within reasonable ranges. Truncal valve reintervention presents a low risk for mortality.
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We report on the very rare case of a 49-year-old man with a large solitary pulmonary lymphangioma. Rapid growth of the tumor led to dyspnea and pain. ⋯ The tumor was resected by lateral thoracotomy. Histopathology revealed a pulmonary cystic lymphangioma.