The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jun 2022
Editorial ReviewHVAD to HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device exchange: Best practices recommendations.
The HeartWare HVAD System (Medtronic) is a durable implantable left ventricular assist device that has been implanted in approximately 20,000 patients worldwide for bridge to transplant and destination therapy indications. In December 2020, Medtronic issued an Urgent Medical Device Communication informing clinicians of a critical device malfunction in which the HVAD may experience a delay or failure to restart after elective or accidental discontinuation of pump operation. Moreover, evolving retrospective comparative effectiveness studies of patients supported with the HVAD demonstrated a significantly higher risk of stroke and all-cause mortality when compared with a newer generation of a commercially available durable left ventricular assist device. ⋯ The decision to remove the HVAD from commercial distribution now requires the use of the HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist system (Abbott, Inc) if a patient previously implanted with an HVAD requires a pump exchange. The goal of this document is to review important differences in the design of the HVAD and HeartMate 3 that are relevant to the medical management of patients supported with these devices, and to assess the technical aspects of an HVAD-to-HeartMate 3 exchange. This document provides the best available evidence that supports best practices.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jun 2022
Surgical management strategy of slide tracheoplasty for infants with congenital tracheal stenosis.
The study objective was to evaluate the outcomes of slide tracheoplasty in infancy and identify predictors of adverse outcomes. ⋯ A tailored individual management strategy of slide tracheoplasty in infancy facilitates favorable clinical outcomes. Close postoperative follow-up and long-term functional evaluations including clinical symptoms and pulmonary function are still needed.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jun 2022
Randomized Controlled TrialDiazoxide preserves myocardial function in a swine model of hypothermic cardioplegic arrest and prolonged global ischemia.
Adenosine triphosphate potassium sensitive channels provide endogenous myocardial protection via coupling of cell membrane potential to myocardial metabolism. Adenosine triphosphate potassium sensitive channel openers, such as diazoxide, mimic ischemic preconditioning, prevent cardiomyocyte swelling, preserve myocyte contractility after stress, and provide diastolic protection. We hypothesize that diazoxide combined with hyperkalemic cardioplegia provides superior myocardial protection compared with cardioplegia alone during prolonged global ischemia in a large animal model. ⋯ Diazoxide preserves systolic and diastolic ventricular function in a large animal model of prolonged global myocardial ischemia. Diazoxide as an adjunct to hyperkalemic cardioplegia may allow safer prolonged ischemic times during increasingly complicated cardiac procedures.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jun 2022
Differential presentation in acuity and outcomes based on socioeconomic status in patients who undergo thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair.
Socioeconomic differences can lead to differences in how patients present with surgical conditions. We attempted to determine whether socioeconomic status (SES) affects survival outcomes after thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair. ⋯ In our TAAA series from a single, high-volume practice, SES differences did not appear to influence operative mortality rates. In addition, SES was not associated with a difference in mid-term survival. Efforts to understand and ameliorate the greater acuity of presentation in patients of low SES appear worthwhile.