Seminars in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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Semin. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jan 2015
Endobronchial Treatment of Bronchopleural Fistulas by Using Intrabronchial Valve System: A Case Series.
Air leaks, alveolopleural or bronchopleural fistulas, either spontaneous, iatrogenic, or postsurgical, can be difficult to treat, and if prolonged in spite of proper chest tube thoracostomy they may require surgical or chemical pleurodesis with variable success. Intrabronchial valve (IBV) treatment is minimally invasive and has a potential to shorten the duration of air leaks in well-selected patients with ongoing air leaks. The study included 19 patients with prolonged air leaks treated with IBVs spiration, with a total of 71 valves placed at a tertiary university hospital. ⋯ All 19 patients with air leaks were initially treated with chest tube thoracostomy and in addition chemical pleurodesis in 2 and blood patch in a patient without success. After IBV placement, all patients but one with air leak had successful resolution of the air leak and removal of chest tube in a median of 3 days (range: 2-45 days). In conclusion, the use of IBVs for prolonged air leaks in various etiologies is effective and safe.
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Semin. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jan 2015
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database: The Driving Force for Improvement in Cardiac Surgery.
Initiated in 1989, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Adult Cardiac Surgery Database (ACSD) includes more than 1085 participating centers, representing 90%-95% of current US-based adult cardiac surgery hospitals. Since its inception, the primary goal of the STS ACSD has been to use clinical data to track and improve cardiac surgical outcomes. Patients' preoperative risk characteristics, procedure-related processes of care, and clinical outcomes data have been captured and analyzed, with timely risk-adjusted feedback reports to participating providers. ⋯ Resource use and patient-reported outcomes would be added in the future. These additional metrics provide a more comprehensive perspective on quality as well as additional end points. Widespread acceptance and use of STS ACSD has led to a cultural transformation within cardiac surgery by providing nationally benchmarked data for internal quality assessment, aiding data-driven quality improvement activities, serving as the basis for a voluntary public reporting program, advancing cardiac surgery care through STS ACSD-based research, and facilitating data-driven informed consent dialogues and alternative treatment-related discussions.
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Semin. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jan 2015
Comparative StudyElevated Stroke Risk Associated With Femoral Artery Cannulation During Mitral Valve Surgery.
Minimally invasive mitral valve (MV) surgery, often requiring femoral artery (FA) cannulation, is increasingly being adopted. There is concern about increased stroke rates associated with minimally invasive MV surgery. This study aims to examine whether FA cannulation is independently associated with increased stroke rates in minimally invasive MV procedures. ⋯ In conclusion, FA cannulation may be associated with increased stroke rates in isolated MV surgery. Antegrade arterial cannulation (direct aortic or axillary cannulation) may be preferable in minimally invasive MV procedures. Randomized trial data are needed.
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Semin. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jan 2015
Preoperative Determinants of Outcomes of Infant Heart Surgery in a Limited-Resource Setting.
We studied the effect of preoperative determinants on early outcomes of 1028 consecutive infant heart operations in a limited-resource setting. Comprehensive data on pediatric heart surgery (January 2010-December 2012) were collected prospectively. Outcome measures included in-hospital mortality, prolonged ventilation (>48 hours), and bloodstream infection (BSI) after surgery. ⋯ Although severe failure to thrive was common, it did not adversely affect outcomes. In conclusions, preoperative BSI, preoperative intensive care, and mechanical ventilation are strongly associated with adverse outcomes after infant cardiac surgery in this large single-center experience from a developing country. Failure to thrive and low birth weight do not appear to adversely affect surgical outcomes.
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Semin. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jan 2015
ReviewMinimally Invasive Valve Surgery: When Less Is More.
Sternotomy has been the gold standard in cardiac surgery and generally provides and unobstructed view of the heart. However, expertise in this traditional method may no longer suffice for the professional survival of cardiac surgeons, We must consider minimally invasive approaches to treating diseases of the heart. As such, the focus of this article will be on the past, present, and future of mini-valve surgery.