The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jan 2015
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyDo differences in early hemodynamic performance of current generation biologic aortic valves predict outcomes 1 year following surgery?
Small early postoperative hemodynamic differences were noted in a randomized comparison of 3 current-generation bioprosthetic aortic valves. Whether these differences persist and influence clinical outcomes 1 year following implantation is unknown. ⋯ Despite midterm persistence of small hemodynamic differences amongst current-generation porcine and pericardial aortic valves, our prospective randomized comparison reveals that clinical outcomes and mass regression are equivalent between devices at 1 year. These encouraging trends must continue to be assessed during longitudinal follow-up.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jan 2015
Multicenter StudyOutcome of primary neuroendocrine tumors of the thymus: a joint analysis of the International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group and the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons databases.
Primary neuroendocrine tumors of the thymus (TNET) are exceedingly rare. We studied a large series of TNET identified through the International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group and the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons databases. ⋯ Our results confirm the high biologic aggressiveness of these rare neoplasms; pathologic stage and completeness of resection were demonstrated to be strong prognostic factors, whereas histology did not influence patients outcome.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jan 2015
Multicenter StudyThymic carcinoma outcomes and prognosis: results of an international analysis.
The objectives of this collaborative study were to characterize patients with thymic carcinoma, their treatment patterns, and association with overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). ⋯ R0 resection and radiation therapy are associated with improved OS, whereas radiation therapy and male gender are associated with longer RFS.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jan 2015
Results of palliation with an initial pulmonary artery band in patients with single ventricle associated with unrestricted pulmonary blood flow.
Pulmonary artery banding is the initial palliative surgery in patients with single ventricle cardiac anomalies presenting with unrestricted pulmonary blood flow. Reported mortality in those receiving pulmonary artery banding is high, and its application in patients with single ventricle anomalies and arch obstruction is controversial. We report current-era results after pulmonary artery banding in patients with single ventricle anomalies, including those with arch obstruction. ⋯ Pulmonary artery banding is an acceptable initial palliative strategy of selected patients with single ventricle cardiac anomalies and unrestricted pulmonary blood flow, including those with concomitant arch obstruction. Short- and long-term outcomes are generally good, although results diverge with the worst outcomes noted in patients with heterotaxy, unbalanced atrioventricular septal defect, or associated extracardiac anomalies.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jan 2015
Letter Historical ArticleWe have to be pioneers: we owe it to the future generations.