The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Feb 2019
Comparative StudyInfluence of aortic stiffness on ventricular function in patients with Fontan circulation.
Elastic properties of the thoracic aorta are responsible for buffering systemic afterload, and may be particularly important in patients with Fontan circulation, in whom heart failure is a major source of attrition. The purpose of this study was to characterize regional stiffness in the ascending and descending aorta in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and single left ventricle morphology after Fontan operation by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and to assess whether changes in aortic stiffness are associated with the ventricular function. ⋯ Aortic stiffness is most elevated in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, yet patients with single left ventricle morphology show signs of abnormal stiffness as well in the form of reduced aortic strain. Stiffness indices measured in the ascending aorta were associated with overall ventricular function and measures of aortoventricular coupling in both patient populations.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Feb 2019
Comparative StudyTreatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma with chemotherapy preceding versus after surgical resection.
There are 2 main treatment paradigms recognized by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network for resectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM): induction chemotherapy followed by resection (IC/R), and up-front resection with postoperative chemotherapy (R/PC). These paradigms are being compared in an accruing randomized phase II trial. In the absence of such completed trials, in this study we evaluated overall survival (OS) and postoperative outcomes of IC/R and R/PC. ⋯ To our knowledge, this is the only comparative investigation of the 2 major management paradigms of operable MPM. IC/R regimens are decreasing over time in the United States. Although associated with survival similar to R/PC, IC/R might be associated with worse postoperative outcomes. Careful induction chemotherapy patient selection is thus highly recommended.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Feb 2019
Ivor Lewis minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal cancer: An excellent operation that improves with experience.
Esophagectomy is associated with major morbidity. In this study we sought to assess the learning curve of minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy (MIILE) and to evaluate perioperative outcomes, including anastomotic leak and hospital readmission, as a function of graduated surgeon experience. ⋯ MIILE can be performed safely and effectively with improving results as the surgeon's experience evolves.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Feb 2019
Comparative StudyImpact of "increased-risk" donor hearts on transplant outcomes: A propensity-matched analysis.
Orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) remains the gold standard for advanced heart failure. Increased risk (IR) donors were categorized by the United Network for Organ Sharing Database (UNOS) according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria. However, the impact of CDC IR donor hearts on the outcome of adult OHT recipients remains unclear. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of adult OHT recipients between CDC IR and non-CDC IR donor grafts. ⋯ CDC IR status does not have a significant impact on adult OHT recipient survival probability. Increased use of CDC IR donor grafts can potentially alleviate the persistent and worsening shortage of available donor organs and shorten the waitlist time for heart transplantation.