Seminars in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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Semin. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jan 2020
Meta AnalysisThyroid Hormone (Triiodothyronine) Therapy in Children After Congenital Heart Surgery: A Meta-Analysis.
Thyroid hormone modifies metabolic, immune and cardiovascular functions and has been administered perioperatively to treat a relative reduction of thyroid function in children following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for correction of congenital heart disease. However, it remains unclear whether its use is associated with improved outcomes. We performed a meta-analysis of studies that evaluated the impact of thyroid hormone supplementation on clinical outcomes in children undergoing repair of congenital heart disease using CPB. ⋯ There was no difference in duration of mechanical ventilation, duration of ICU stay, duration of hospital stay, cardiac index, and mortality between groups. In this meta-analysis, routine thyroid hormone replacement with approximately 1-5 μg/kg administered over 24 hours does not significantly alter the postoperative course in children following CPB. However, given a clinically small but significant difference in respect to lower inotrope score and shorter duration of ICU and hospital stays with higher thyroid replacement additional studies are warranted.
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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 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.
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Semin. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jan 2014
ReviewThe theory, practice, and future of process improvement in general thoracic surgery.
Process improvement, in its broadest sense, is the analysis of a given set of actions with the aim of elevating quality and reducing costs. The tenets of process improvement have been applied to medicine in increasing frequency for at least the last quarter century including thoracic surgery. This review outlines the theory underlying process improvement, the currently available data sources for process improvement and possible future directions of research.
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Semin. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jan 2014
ReviewCurrent readings: long-term management of patients undergoing successful pediatric cardiac surgery.
As of 2000, more adults than children are alive with congenital heart disease. Each year, more of these adults with congenital heart disease undergo surgery. Adults with congenital heart disease require lifelong surveillance, follow-up imaging, and clinical decision making by appropriately trained and familiar physicians and extenders. ⋯ Although a history of previous cardiac surgery does not independently confer a significant incremental risk of operative mortality, patients with the greatest number of previous surgeries appear to be a higher risk group. Multi-institutional data about adults with congenital heart disease from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database can be used to estimate prognosis and council patients and their families. The six manuscripts reviewed in this article have been selected to give a flavor of the state of the art in the domain of caring for adults with congenital heart disease and to provide important information about the long term management of patients undergoing successful pediatric cardiac surgery.