The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Dec 2014
Multicenter Study Comparative StudySociety of Thoracic Surgeons 2008 cardiac risk models predict in-hospital mortality of heart valve surgery in a Chinese population: a multicenter study.
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2008 cardiac surgery risk models have been developed for heart valve surgery with and without coronary artery bypass grafting. The aim of our study was to evaluate the performance of Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2008 cardiac risk models in Chinese patients undergoing single valve surgery and the predicted mortality rates of those undergoing multiple valve surgery derived from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2008 risk models. ⋯ The Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2008 cardiac surgery risk models performed well when predicting the mortality for Chinese patients undergoing valve surgery. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2008 models were suitable for single valve surgery in a Chinese population; estimates of mortality for multiple valve surgery derived from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2008 models were less accurate.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Dec 2014
Multicenter StudyCost, quality, and value in coronary artery bypass grafting.
Pay-for-performance measures, part of the Affordable Care Act, aim to reduce health care costs by linking value with Medicare payments, but until now the concept of value has not been applied to specific procedures. We sought to define value in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and provide a framework to identify high-value centers. ⋯ Risk-adjusted length of stay and risk-adjusted combined morbidity/mortality are important outcome measures for assessing value in cardiac surgery. The proposed framework can be used to define value in CABG and identify high-value centers, thereby providing information for quality improvement and pay-for-performance initiatives.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Dec 2014
Multicenter Study Comparative Study Observational StudyMinimally invasive aortic valve replacement with Perceval S sutureless valve: early outcomes and one-year survival from two European centers.
The aim of our study was to evaluate the early outcomes and 1-year survival of patients undergoing minimally invasive aortic valve replacement with the Perceval S sutureless valve for severe aortic stenosis. ⋯ Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement with the Perceval S sutureless valve in high-risk patients is a safe and reproducible procedure associated with excellent hemodynamic results, postoperative outcomes, and 1-year survival.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Dec 2014
Multicenter StudyGeographic variability in potentially discretionary red blood cell transfusions after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
A number of established regional quality improvement collaboratives have partnered to assess and improve care across their regions under the umbrella of the Cardiac Surgery Quality Improvement (IMPROVE) Network. The first effort of the IMPROVE Network has been to assess regional differences in potentially discretionary transfusions (<3 units red blood cells [RBCs]). ⋯ Delivery of small volumes of RBC transfusions was common, yet varied across geographic regions. These data suggest that differences in regional practice environments, including transfusion triggers and anemia management, may contribute to variability in RBC transfusion rates.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Dec 2014
Comparative StudyPilot study of pulmonary arterial branch sealing using energy devices in an ex vivo model.
Vascular endostaplers are bulky and can be dangerous when dividing small pulmonary arterial (PA) branch vessels during video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy. We aimed to evaluate and compare the immediate efficacy of modern energy sealing devices in an ex vivo PA sealing model. ⋯ In this pilot study to examine energy sealing of PA branches in a simulated ex vivo model, vascular sealing using energy was effective and was able to sustain high intraluminal bursting pressures. Further research is needed to determine the in vivo and long-term safety of PA branch energy sealing.