The Annals of thoracic surgery
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Review Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Association between obesity and postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing cardiac operations: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
In a systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis, we evaluated whether obesity is associated with postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) in patients undergoing cardiac operations. We selected 18 observational studies until December 2011 that excluded patients with preoperative AF (n=36,147). ⋯ The association between obesity and POAF did not vary substantially by type of cardiac operation, study design, or year of publication. POAF was significantly associated with a higher risk of stroke, respiratory failure, and operative death.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Primary endpoints of the biventricular pacing after cardiac surgery trial.
This study sought to determine whether optimized biventricular pacing increases cardiac index in patients at risk of left ventricular dysfunction after cardiopulmonary bypass. Procedures included coronary artery bypass, aortic or mitral surgery and combinations. This trial was approved by the Columbia University Institutional Review Board and was conducted under an Investigational Device Exemption. ⋯ Cardiac index did not increase significantly overall but increased 29% after aortic valve surgery. Mean arterial pressure increased with pacing at 3 time points. Additional studies are needed to distinguish rate from resynchronization effects, emphasize atrioventricular delay optimization, and examine clinical benefits of temporary postoperative pacing.
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Review Case Reports
Severe allergic dermatitis after closure of foramen ovale with Amplatzer occluder.
Allergic reaction to nitinol is rarely reported, and its incidence, symptoms, and course have not been clearly defined. We report an occurrence of severe progressive generalized exanthema 3 days after the implantation of an Amplatzer occluder for a patent foramen ovale, with symptoms disappearing immediately after surgical removal of the device 3 months later. The risks and possible prevention of allergic reaction to nickel and especially to titanium are discussed.