European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jan 2021
Observational StudyRole of levosimendan in weaning children requiring veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation after cardiac surgery.
Levosimendan use is associated with more successful decannulation from veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) in adults. We sought to determine the role of levosimendan in children who required VA ECMO after cardiac surgery. ⋯ Levosimendan administration in children requiring VA ECMO after cardiac surgery was associated with decreased risk of weaning failure and decreased in-hospital mortality.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Dec 2020
Endocarditis-related stroke is not a contraindication for early cardiac surgery: an investigation among 440 patients with left-sided endocarditis.
A treatment dilemma arises when surgery is indicated in patients with infective endocarditis (IE) complicated by stroke. Neurologists recommend surgery to be postponed for at least 1 month. This study aims to investigate the neurological complication rate and neurological recovery potential in patients with IE-related stroke. ⋯ UN4232 382/3.1 (retrospective study).
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Dec 2020
Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the Italian congenital cardiac surgery system: a national survey.
Italy has been one of the countries most severely affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Italian government was forced to introduce quarantine measures quickly, and all elective health services were stopped or postponed. This emergency has dramatically changed the management of paediatric and adult patients with congenital heart disease. We analysed data from 14 Italian congenital cardiac surgery centres during lockdown, focusing on the impact of the pandemic on surgical activity, patients and healthcare providers and resource allocation. ⋯ Our study shows that the pandemic had a different impact on the various Italian congenital cardiac surgery centres based on the different patterns of spread of the virus across the country. During the lockdown, the system was able to satisfy all emergency clinical needs with excellent results.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Dec 2020
Pleural complications in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): how to safely apply and follow-up with a chest tube during the pandemic?
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, a novel coronavirus, affects mainly the pulmonary parenchyma and produces significant morbidity and mortality. During the pandemic, several complications have been shown to be associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Our goal was to present a series of patients with COVID-19 who underwent chest tube placements due to the development of pleural complications and to make suggestions for the insertion and follow-up management of the chest tube. ⋯ In patients with COVID-19, the chest tube can be applied in cases with disease or treatment-related pleural complications. Our case series comprised a small group of patients, which is one of its limitations. Still, our main goal was to present our experience with patients with pleural complications and describe a new drainage technique to prevent viral transmission during chest tube application and follow-up.