European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
-
Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · May 2013
Validation of the lung cancer staging system revisions using a large prospective clinical trial database (ACOSOG Z0030).
A new revision of the international lung cancer staging system has been recently introduced. The revisions are largely focussed on the T descriptor. We sought to test the validity of this new system on a separate prospectively collected cohort of patients from a recent multicentre trial of early-stage lung cancer. ⋯ This study provides an external validation of the recently revised lung cancer staging system using a large multicentre database. The seventh edition of the AJCC/UICC lung cancer staging system appears to be an improvement over the preceding system.
-
Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · May 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialRegulated tailored suction vs regulated seal: a prospective randomized trial on air leak duration.
The objective of this study was to compare the air leak duration of two regulated chest tube modes following pulmonary lobectomy. ⋯ Regulated seal is as effective and safe as regulated suction in managing chest tubes following lobectomy. This information demonstrates with objective data the non-superiority of regulated suction vs regulated seal and may assist in future investigations on regulated pleural pressure.
-
Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · May 2013
Preoperative quality of life predicts survival following pulmonary resection in stage I non-small-cell lung cancer.
The objective of this study was to assess the prognostic role of preoperative quality of life (QoL) in patients operated on for early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). ⋯ The physical component of QoL was associated with overall and cancer-specific survivals in patients operated on for early-stage NSCLC. Supportive interventions aimed at improving the perception of physical well-being should be tested to verify whether they can improve long-term prognosis after lung cancer surgery.
-
Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · May 2013
Valve-sparing root replacement in children with aortic root aneurysm: mid-term results.
We aimed at evaluating the results of aortic valve-sparing root replacement (AVSRR) in children with aortic root aneurysm (ARA) due to genetic disorders in terms of mortality, reoperation and recurrent aortic valve regurgitation (AVR). ⋯ In paediatric patients with ARA, valve-sparing root replacement can be performed with low operative risk and excellent mid-term valve durability. Hence, prosthetic valve-related morbidity may be avoided. Due to the large diameters of the aortic root and the ascending aorta, the size of the implanted root prostheses will not limit later growth of the native aorta.
-
Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · May 2013
German Aortic Valve Score: a new scoring system for prediction of mortality related to aortic valve procedures in adults.
The aim of the study was to establish a scoring system to predict mortality in aortic valve procedures in adults [German Aortic Valve Score (German AV Score)] based upon the comprehensive data pool mandatory by law in Germany. ⋯ It is well known that a predictive model works best in the setting where it was developed; therefore, the German AV Score fits well to the patient population in Germany. It was designed for fair and reliable outcome evaluation. It allows comparison of predicted and observed mortality for conventional aortic valve surgery and transcatheter aortic valve implantation in low-, moderate- and high-risk groups. Thus, it enables primarily a risk-adjusted benchmark of outcome and fosters the efforts for continuous improvement of quality in aortic valve procedures.