The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Oct 2024
Observational StudyMyocardial Bridges in a Pediatric Population: Outcomes Following a Standardized Approach.
To describe clinical, functional, surgical, and outcomes data in pediatric patients with a myocardial bridge (MB) evaluated and managed following a standardized approach. ⋯ Pediatric patients with MB can present with myocardial ischemia and sudden cardiac arrest. Provocative stress test and intracoronary hemodynamic tests helped risk-stratify symptomatic patients with MB and concern for ischemia. Surgical repair was safe and effective in mitigating exertional symptoms and stress test results, allowing patients to return to exercise without restriction.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Oct 2024
The Relationship between Body Mass Index and Mortality is Not Linear in Patients requiring Venovenous Extracorporeal Support.
Morbid obesity may influence candidacy for venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VVECMO) support. Indeed, body mass index (BMI) >40 is considered to be a relative contraindication due to increased mortality observed in patients with BMI above this value. There is scant evidence to characterize this relationship beyond speculating about the technical challenges of cannulation and difficulty in optimizing flows. We examined a national cohort to evaluate the influence of BMI on mortality in patients requiring VVECMO for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. ⋯ Advancing age and higher CCI are each associated with increased risk for mortality in patients requiring VVECMO. A nonlinear relationship exists between mortality and BMI and those between 32 and 37 have lower odds of mortality than those between BMI 25 and 32. This nonlinear pattern suggests a need for further adjudication of the contraindications associated with VVECMO, particularly those based solely on BMI.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Oct 2024
Late Results of Chord Transfer and Other Techniques for Anterior Leaflet Repair Without Neochords.
Anterior and bileaflet degenerative mitral regurgitation repairs are challenging. We examined our early and late outcomes for repair using 4 techniques, without neochord repair. ⋯ Complex anterior leaflet prolapse repairs are successful using a variety of techniques without neochord implantation. Although neochords are popular, there are other ways to repair complex valves that do not require as much judgment and experience.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Oct 2024
Prolapse Repair for Aortic Regurgitation in Tricuspid Aortic Valves.
Cusp prolapse is an important cause of aortic regurgitation (AR) in tricuspid aortic valves (TAVs) and can be caused by myxomatous degeneration or cusp fenestration. Long-term data for prolapse repair in TAVs are scarce. We analyzed the results of aortic valve repair in patients with TAV morphology and AR caused by prolapse and compared the results for cusp fenestration and myxomatous degeneration. ⋯ Repair of cusp prolapse in TAVs with preserved root dimensions can be performed with acceptable durability, even in the presence of fenestrations.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Oct 2024
Predictors & Outcomes of Discharge to Long-Term Acute Care Facilities after Cardiac Surgery.
An increasing number of patients with significant comorbidities present for complex cardiac surgery, with a subgroup requiring discharge to long-term acute care facilities. We aim to examine predictors and mortality after discharge to a long-term acute care facility. ⋯ Patients with chronic lung and kidney disease undergoing prolonged procedures are at higher risk to be discharged to long-term acute care facilities after surgery with worse survival. Efforts to minimize postoperative respiratory complications may reduce mortality after discharge to long-term acute care facilities.