J Cardiothorac Surg
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J Cardiothorac Surg · Mar 2014
Central extracorporeal life support with left ventricular decompression for the treatment of refractory cardiogenic shock and lung failure.
The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the effects and functional outcome of central extracorporeal life support (ECLS) with left ventricular decompression for the treatment of refractory cardiogenic shock and lung failure. ⋯ We strongly recommend left ventricular decompression in refractory cardiogenic shock and lung failure to avoid pulmonary edema, left heart distension and facilitate myocardial recovery.
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J Cardiothorac Surg · Feb 2014
Predictors of temporary epicardial pacing wires use after valve surgery.
Although temporary cardiac pacing is infrequently needed, temporary epicardial pacing wires are routinely inserted after valve surgery. As they are associated with infrequent, but life threatening complications, and the decreased need for postoperative pacing in a group of low risk patients; this study aims to identify the predictors of temporary cardiac pacing after valve surgery. ⋯ Although limited by sample size, the present results suggest that routine use of temporary epicardial pacing wires after valve surgery is only necessary for high risk patients. Preoperative identification and aggressive management of predictors of temporary cardiac pacing and the possible modulation of intraoperative techniques can decrease the need of temporary cardiac pacing. Prospective randomized controlled studies on a larger number of patients are necessary to draw solid conclusions regarding the selective use of temporary epicardial pacing wires in valve surgery.
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J Cardiothorac Surg · Feb 2014
Case ReportsSingle-stage surgical repair of airway gastric fistula after esophagectomy.
Airway gastric fistula (AGF) is a rare but catastrophic complication after esophagectomy. Surgical repair with viable tissue interposed between the airway and alimentary tracts remains the definitive treatment. ⋯ Here, we report two cases successfully managed via single-stage surgical re-exploration. On outpatient follow-up, the two Chinese patients were progressing satisfactorily without complaint of any dyspnea or dysphagia.
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J Cardiothorac Surg · Jan 2014
Unilateral pedal lymphangiography with non-contrast computerized tomography is valuable in the location and treatment decision of idiopathic chylothorax.
To identify the value of unilateral pedal lymphangiography (LAG) with non-contrast CT in the location and treatment decision of idiopathic chylothorax after failure of thoracic duct ligation. ⋯ Unilateral pedal LAG with non-contrast CT could identify the causes and locate the leaks of idiopathic chylothorax in 75% of patients after failure of thoracic duct ligation. Two thirds of patients were found not to have thoracic duct leakage and would be better managed by non-operative treatment.
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J Cardiothorac Surg · Jan 2014
Review Case ReportsVATS bullectomy and apical pleurectomy for spontaneous pneumothorax in a young patient with Swyer-James-Mc Leod syndrome: case report presentation and literature review focusing on surgically treated cases.
Swyer-James-McLeod Syndrome (SJMS) is an uncommon, emphysematous disease characterized by radiologic hyperlucency of pulmonary parenchyma due to loss of the pulmonary vascular structure and to alveolar overdistension. ⋯ We herein describe a 15-year-old Caucasian patient with well-established SJMS since childhood who presented with spontaneous pneumothorax. Video-assisted thoracoscopic bullectomy with apical pleurectomy was performed. Since SJMS is considered an on-going inflammatory process, the patient one year after surgery exhibits excellent quality of life with no pneumothorax recurrence.