The Thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon
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Thorac Cardiovasc Surg · Mar 2014
Analysis of predictive factors for postoperative survival for non small cell lung carcinoma patients with unexpected mediastinal lymph nodes metastasis.
To discuss the predictive factors of postoperative survival for non small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients with clinical N0 stage but postoperative pathological N2 stage (cN0-pN2). ⋯ The postoperative survival for NSCLC patients with cN0-pN2 was related to operational method, adjuvant chemotherapy, and the number of metastatic mediastinal lymph node stations. Patients with a single station of metastatic mediastinal lymph node are likely to benefit from VATS, whereas patients with multiple stations of metastatic mediastinal lymph nodes are likely to benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.
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Thorac Cardiovasc Surg · Feb 2014
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyTemporary epicardial pacemaker wires: significance of position and electrode type.
To determine the pacing and sensing properties of different temporary epicardial pacemaker electrodes after cardiac surgery depending on position at the heart and time after surgery. ⋯ 1. Up to postoperative day 10, adequate pacing and sensing performance was achieved by both electrode types in each position. 2. Medtronic electrodes had better pacing thresholds in atrium and ventricle after day 5. 3. Positioning of pacemaker electrodes does not alter functionality. 4. Handling of Osypka electrodes was easier than that of Medtronic electrodes.
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Thorac Cardiovasc Surg · Feb 2014
Case ReportsUse of extracellular matrix materials in patients with endocarditis.
Tissue replacement is sometimes necessary during surgery for endocarditis. Commonly used materials are Dacron, expanded polytetrafluoroethlyene, or bovine pericardium. Those materials have no potential for bioresorption and cannot restore regional functionality. ⋯ Here we present two cases of patients with endocarditis. CorMatrix ECM (CorMatrix Cardiovascular, Inc., Atlanta, Georgia, United States) was used to repair intracardiac structures with good results in follow-up up to 3 months. CorMatrix ECM may be an adequate alternative to foreign material for patients with endocarditis.
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Thorac Cardiovasc Surg · Feb 2014
Case ReportsCompletely epicardial implantation of a cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator using a minimal invasive approach.
We report the case of a successful completely epicardial implantation of a cardiac resynchronization defibrillator using a minimal invasive approach in a 55-year-old patient with dilated cardiomyopathy and a history of three cardiac surgical procedures of the aortic root, the ascending aorta and the aortic arch. Due to a chronic Q fever the patient was regarded unsuitable for a transvenous implantation.