The Annals of thoracic surgery
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Case Reports
Aberrant right subclavian artery and axillary artery cannulation in type a aortic dissection repair.
Currently, right axillary artery cannulation and unilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion through the same cannula are preferred choices for acute type A aortic dissection repair. However, the existence of an aberrant right subclavian artery can jeopardize cerebral perfusion through the right axillary artery cannula. In this study, we intended to explain the repair of acute type A aortic dissection using right axillary artery cannulation in a patient with aberrant right subclavian artery.
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Review Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Blood transfusion and infection after cardiac surgery.
Cardiac surgery is the largest consumer of blood products in medicine; although believed life saving, transfusion carries substantial adverse risks. This study characterizes the relationship between transfusion and risk of major infection after cardiac surgery. In all, 5,158 adults were prospectively enrolled to assess infections after cardiac surgery. ⋯ Risk factors for infection included postoperative RBC units transfused, longer duration of surgery, and transplant or ventricular assist device implantation, in addition to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, and elevated preoperative creatinine. Platelet transfusion decreased the risk of infection (p = 0.02). Greater attention to management practices that limit RBC use, including cell salvage, small priming volumes, vacuum-assisted venous return with rapid autologous priming, and ultrafiltration, and preoperative and intraoperative measures to elevate hematocrit could potentially reduce occurrence of major postoperative infections.
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A 51-year-old man with severe mitral regurgitation was admitted. While undergoing preoperative examination for mitral disease, he was found to have absence of the right superior vena cava and a persistent left superior vena cava. ⋯ There were no difficulties during the operation. Isolated persistent left superior vena cava is very rare, but if it is diagnosed preoperatively and an appropriate operative plan is made, MICS can be performed safely.