The Annals of thoracic surgery
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A hyperdynamic response to cardiopulmonary bypass is characteristically observed in the post-operative course. To determine the effect of prime volume on the hemodynamic response, a database study was performed on patients who underwent elective coronary artery bypass grafting with an extracorporeal circuit with either a large prime volume (2,350-mL prime, n = 20) or a small prime volume (1,400-mL prime, n = 20). ⋯ Reduction in prime volume attenuates the hyperdynamic response after cardiopulmonary bypass. Furthermore, an important reduction in blood bank products can be obtained with small prime volumes.
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Accelerated induction therapy and resection for poor prognosis stage III non-small cell lung cancer.
Induction therapy and resection may improve the survival of patients with poor prognosis stage III non-small cell lung cancer, at the cost of significant treatment prolongation. The purpose of this study was to assess toxicity, response, and survival of an accelerated induction regimen and resection in poor prognosis stage III non-small cell lung cancer. ⋯ We conclude that accelerated induction therapy and resection in poor prognosis stage III non-small cell lung cancer (1) is toxic, with a 12% treatment mortality; (2) is effective with a 79% resection rate and 40% pathologic downstaging rate; (3) provides excellent local control; (4) may prolong survival; and (5) is of value in stage IIIB as well as stage IIIA patients.
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Resection of superior sulcus neoplasms is associated with a number of complications resulting from the extensive nature of the resection and the necessity to sacrifice certain adjacent structures. One of the complications of resection is the development of subarachnoid-pleural fistula, with the subsequent appearance of air in the cerebrospinal fluid circulation. We report a case in which a subarachnoid-pleural fistula led to persistent pneumocephaly in a patient who exhibited postoperative hyponatremia, confusion, and gait disturbance.
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Echocardiography can detect aortic regurgitation (AR) that may interfere with the adequate delivery of cardioplegia solution to the myocardium during cardiac operation. When aware of this lesion, the surgeon can modify the operative technique accordingly. We sought to evaluate the ability of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography to detect AR and to correlate the severity of the lesion with the need for retrograde cardioplegia administration. ⋯ Transesophageal echocardiography can provide accurate information regarding the presence and severity of AR. The calculated severity of AR on transesophageal echocardiography is associated with the need for retrograde cardioplegia administration.
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Increasingly complex cardiac procedures demand optimal myocardial protective techniques during the requisite interval of aortic cross-clamping. For complex procedures in which prolonged cross-clamp times are anticipated, we favor combined antegrade and retrograde cold blood cardioplegia. Advantages include rapid arrest, uniform distribution, and an uninterrupted operation. ⋯ We conclude that myocardial protection using a combined antegrade and retrograde cardioplegia technique permits excellent myocardial protection during complex cardiovascular procedures requiring long arrest times.