Seminars in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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Semin. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jan 2019
ReviewSurgery for Acute Presentation of Thoracoabdominal Aortic Disease.
Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms are most commonly asymptomatic until there is either an impending aortic catastrophe or one that has already occurred. While open surgery remains the gold-standard method for repair, modern technology has led to the development of less invasive endovascular devices and techniques. We provide an expert review of open and endovascular therapies for 3 highly lethal thoracoabdominal aortic emergencies in order to highlight expectations for both short- and long-term outcomes in an era of evolving technology and improvements in patient evaluation and postoperative care. ⋯ Thoracic endovascular aortic repair is well-suited for the treatment of acute complicated type B aortic dissection with outcomes superior to open repair in some centers. Acute aortic events associated with thoracoabdominal aneurysms represent technically challenging situations that require rapid diagnosis and treatment to avoid a fatal outcome. Endovascular techniques have evolved as a viable alternative therapy for acute complicated type B aortic dissection or as a bridge to more definitive repair in the setting of infection or rupture.
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Semin. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jan 2019
Descending Aortopexy and Posterior Tracheopexy for Severe Tracheomalacia and Left Mainstem Bronchomalacia.
Posterior descending aortopexy can relieve posterior intrusion of the left mainstem bronchus that may limit the effectiveness of posterior tracheobronchopexy. We review outcomes of patients undergoing both descending aortopexy and posterior tracheopexy for severe tracheobronchomalacia with posterior intrusion and left mainstem compression to determine if there were resolution of clinical symptoms and bronchoscopic evidence of improvement in airway collapse. All patients who underwent both descending aortopexy and posterior tracheopexy from October 2012 to October 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. ⋯ Total tracheomalacia scores improved significantly (P < 0.001), with significant segmental improvements in the middle (P = 0.003) and lower (P < 0.001) trachea, and right (P = 0.011) and left (P < 0.001) mainstem bronchi. Two patients (6%) had persistent airway intrusion requiring reoperation with anterior aortopexy or tracheopexy. Descending aortopexy and posterior tracheopexy are effective in treating severe tracheobronchomalacia and left mainstem intrusion with significant improvements in clinical symptoms and degree of airway collapse on bronchoscopy.
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Semin. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jan 2019
Recidivism Is the Leading Cause of Death Among Intravenous Drug Users Who Underwent Cardiac Surgery for Infective Endocarditis.
The proportional incidence of intravenous drug use (IVDU)-associated infective endocarditis (IE) cases requiring surgery has increased significantly, mirroring the national opioid crisis. Recidivism is common but its impact on postoperative outcomes is unclear. We aimed to evaluate short- and mid-term postoperative outcomes associated with recidivism in this population. ⋯ IVDU patients who underwent cardiac surgery for IE experienced higher risks of perioperative adverse events and inferior mid-term survival compared to non-IVDU, despite being younger and having less comorbidities. Deaths in IVDU cohort were predominantly due to recidivism. Efforts to improve long-term outcome of patients presenting with IVDU IE should include drug addiction intervention and other strategies to reduce recidivism.
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Semin. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jan 2019
Complete Thoracic Aorta Remodeling After Endovascular Aortic Repair: A New Therapeutic Goal for Chronic DeBakey IIIb Aneurysms.
To introduce complete thoracic aorta remodeling as a new therapeutic target of thoracic endovascular aortic repair for chronic DeBakey IIIb aneurysms, and analyze the predictors for complete thoracic aorta remodeling. From 2012 to 2017, 75 patients underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair for chronic DeBakey IIIb aneurysms. Complete thoracic aorta remodeling was defined as thoracic false lumen thrombosis with false lumen diameter <5 mm down to T-10 level. ⋯ The number of visceral branches from the false lumen and residual intima tears were significant risk factors for complete thoracic aorta remodeling (HR 0.627, p = 0.041 and HR 0.754, p = 0.042). In chronic DeBakey IIIb aneurysms, complete thoracic aorta remodeling may be the ideal target for endovascular treatment rather than false lumen thrombosis. Additional procedures to eliminate the obstacles to complete thoracic aorta remodeling (number of visceral branches from the false lumen and residual intimal tears) and close follow-up after thoracic false lumen thrombosis may be needed to achieve the optimal outcome.
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Semin. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jan 2019
The Effect of Preoperative Anemia on Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: A Propensity-Matched Analysis.
It is unknown if anemia in the absence of transfusions is an independent risk factor for adverse outcomes in cardiac surgery, and if correction to higher hemoglobin targets impacts these outcomes. This is a retrospective review of 3848 cardiac surgery patients. Propensity matching was completed using 41 covariates. ⋯ There was a significant increase in low cardiac output in the lower threshold group (P = 0.001). There were no differences in outcomes between those who did and did not receive postoperative transfusions (P > 0.05). Preoperative anemia in the absence of transfusions is a risk factor for morbidity and mortality after cardiac surgery, and there is no evidence that transfusion to higher end cardiopulmonary bypass hemoglobin levels impacted this risk.