The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Feb 2023
Allocation changes in heart transplantation: What has really changed?
In 2018, the heart allocation system changed status classifications and broadened geographic distribution. We examined this change at a national level based on the immediate pre- and postchange periods. ⋯ Since the planned alteration to the allocation system, there have been changes in the use of temporary mechanical circulatory support as well as distance and ischemic time associated with transplant, but no significant volume changes were observed. Continued observation of outcomes and volume under the new allocation system will be necessary in the upcoming years.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Feb 2023
Impact of stereotactic body radiation therapy volume on surgical patient selection, short-term survival, and long-term survival in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer.
Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is increasingly used to treat non-small cell lung cancer. The purpose of this study is to analyze relationships between facility SBRT utilization and surgical patient selection and survival after surgery. ⋯ Differences in short-term survival following resection at facilities with high-SBRT utilization may be attributable to low surgical volume facilities. Patients treated at high volume surgical facilities do not demonstrate differences in short-term or long-term survival based on facility SBRT utilization.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Feb 2023
The use of blood and blood products in aortic surgery is associated with adverse outcomes.
To report long-term outcomes after deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) with or without perioperative blood or blood products. ⋯ In patients who underwent aortic surgery with DHCA, perioperative transfusions were associated with poor outcomes despite matching for preoperative baseline characteristics.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Feb 2023
Modified single-patch repair for atrioventricular septal defects results in good functional outcomes in the absence of deep ventricular septal defects.
We compared 2-patch repair (TP) with modified single-patch repair (MSP) for complete atrioventricular septal defects and evaluated their effect on the left atrioventricular valve (LAVV) competence. We also identified risk factors for unfavorable functional outcomes. ⋯ Postoperative LAVVR remains an obstacle to improved functional outcomes. MSP provides LAVV competence similar to TP unless deep VSD is present. The surgical approach should be selected on the basis of anatomical variations, specifically VSD depth.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Feb 2023
The growth of xenotransplanted hearts can be reduced with growth hormone receptor knockout pig donors.
Genetically engineered pigs are thought to be an alternative organ source for patients in end-stage heart failure unable to receive a timely allograft. However, cardiac xenografts exhibit growth and diastolic heart failure within 1 month after transplantation. Grafts function for up to 6 months, but only after administration of temsirolimus and afterload-reducing agents to reduce this growth. In this study we investigated the growth and hemodynamics of growth hormone receptor (GHR) knockout xenografts, without the use of adjuncts to prevent intrinsic graft growth after transplantation. ⋯ Xenografts with GHR knockout show reduced post-transplantation xenograft growth using echocardiography >6 months after transplantation, without the need for other adjuncts.