The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · May 2021
Retrievable covered metallic segmented Y airway stent for gastrorespiratory fistula of carina or main bronchi.
To evaluate the feasibility of new retrievable covered metallic segmented Y airway stents modified with 3-dimensional (3D) printing for gastrorespiratory fistula involving carina or main bronchi. ⋯ Retrievable covered metallic segmented Y airway stents modified with 3D printing appear to be feasible for the treatment of gastrorespiratory fistula involving carina or main bronchi.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · May 2021
Should concomitant surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation be performed in elderly patients?
The incidence of atrial fibrillation increases with age, and therefore many elderly patients presenting for cardiac surgery have atrial fibrillation. In recent publications, increasing age has been recognized as a predictor for ablation failure. Furthermore, many surgeons are reluctant to perform a surgical ablation in elderly patients. We investigated the safety and efficacy of concomitant surgical atrial fibrillation ablation in elderly patients. ⋯ Surgical atrial fibrillation ablation was safe and effective independently of age. Sinus rhythm at discharge and bipolar ablation were significant predictors for successful ablation, whereas double valve procedures, preoperative persistent atrial fibrillation, and coronary artery bypass grafting surgery in elderly patients were risk factors for recurrence of atrial fibrillation.