European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jun 2016
Forecasting the impact of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy for early-stage lung cancer on the thoracic surgery workforce.
To predict variation in thoracic surgery workforce requirements with the introduction of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) for the treatment of early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). ⋯ With the implementation of SABR for treatment of early NSCLC, there would be a decrease in operative volume. The impact would depend on the stage of NSCLC for which SABR is recommended and on compliance. A national strategy for thoracic surgery workforce planning is necessary, given the complex interaction of CT screening and the treatment of medically operable early NSCLC with SABR.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jun 2016
Stentless bioprostheses: a versatile and durable solution in extensive aortic valve endocarditis.
Infective endocarditis of the aortic valve with local aortic root destruction requires radical resection of infected tissues and subsequent reconstruction of periannular structures and the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT). Homografts or stentless bioprostheses are recommended for use in this specific patient group. The Freestyle stentless bioprosthesis is a porcine aortic root prosthesis, which approaches the surgical versatility of the homograft, but has the advantage of ready availability and uniform quality. We assessed clinical and echocardiographic outcome following the use of this prosthesis in extensive aortic valve endocarditis. ⋯ The Freestyle stentless bioprosthesis is a valuable option to reconstruct the LVOT after debridement in extensive aortic valve endocarditis. It is readily available with a versatility and clinical outcome comparable with that of homografts. Although early mortality remains considerable in this high-risk group of patients, late survival is good with low rates of recurrence of endocarditis, immediate local control and good haemodynamic performance on echocardiography.