The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Oct 2013
Comparative StudyClinical utility of CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scoring systems for predicting postoperative atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery.
The presence of postoperative atrial fibrillation predicts a higher short- and long-term mortality rates; however, no scoring system has been used to discriminate patients at high risk for this complication. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores are useful risk assessment tools for new-onset atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery. ⋯ CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores were predictive of postoperative atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery and may be helpful for identifying high-risk patients.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Oct 2013
Review Historical ArticleCardiothoracic surgery residency training: past, present, and future.
A dramatic transformation of cardiothoracic surgical education has evolved over the past few decades. ⋯ Like the radical advances we have witnessed in surgical therapy, surgical education requires creative and perhaps disruptive changes if we are to continue to produce well-trained additions to our professional ranks.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Oct 2013
Review Meta AnalysisPrevention of postoperative atrial fibrillation in open heart surgery patients by preoperative supplementation of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids: an updated meta-analysis.
Several randomized clinical trials evaluated whether preoperative supplementation of omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids protects against postoperative atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery, a condition associated with increased cardiac and cerebral mortality. However, their efficacy remains still controversial. An updated meta-analysis was performed to clarify if preoperative n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation prevents postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. ⋯ A preoperative supplementation of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids significantly prevents the occurrence of postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, in particular coronary artery bypass surgery.