The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Mar 1999
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes directed against donor HLA class I antigens on airway epithelial cells are present in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from lung transplant recipients during acute rejection.
The lung epithelium is among the first donor tissues encountered by the lung allograft recipient's immune system. The purpose of this study was to determine whether lung epithelium was recognized by T lymphocytes that are isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of lung allograft recipients during periods of acute rejection. ⋯ Donor HLA class I-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte activity directed at airway epithelial cells was demonstrated in bronchoalveolar lavage lymphocytes from lung transplant recipients. Lysis of these targets was significantly higher during episodes of acute rejection.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Mar 1999
Volume-outcome relationships in cardiovascular operations: New York State, 1990-1995.
It has been known for nearly 20 years that, in cardiovascular operations, a significant inverse relationship exists between clinical outcomes and the volume of procedures performed. Interestingly, this relationship persists 2 decades after it was recognized. ⋯ The importance of these findings lies in the rather striking difference between the volume-outcome relationship found for operations for abdominal aortic aneurysms and congenital cardiac defects and the lack of such a relationship for coronary artery bypass grafting. This observation may be largely explained by the quality improvement program in New York State for bypass operations since 1989. If so, these results have important implications for expanding the scope of quality improvement efforts in New York State.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Mar 1999
Methylprednisolone reduces the inflammatory response to cardiopulmonary bypass in neonatal piglets: timing of dose is important.
Cardiopulmonary bypass produces an inflammatory response that can cause significant postoperative pulmonary dysfunction and total body edema. This study evaluates the efficacy of preoperative methylprednisolone administration in limiting this injury in neonates and compares the effect of giving methylprednisolone 8 hours before an operation to the common practice of adding methylprednisolone to the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit prime. ⋯ When given 8 hours and immediately before the operation, methylprednisolone improves pulmonary compliance after bypass, alveolar-arterial gradient, and pulmonary vascular resistance compared with no treatment. The addition of methylprednisolone to the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit prime is beneficial but inferior to preoperative administration.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Feb 1999
Comparative StudyRole of the endothelium in placental dysfunction after fetal cardiac bypass.
Fetal cardiac bypass causes placental dysfunction, characterized by increased placental vascular resistance, decreased placental blood flow, hypoxia, and acidosis. Vasoactive factors produced by the vascular endothelium, such as nitric oxide and endothelin 1, are important regulators of placental vascular tone and may contribute to this placental dysfunction. ⋯ The basal endothelial regulatory mechanisms of placental vascular tone were deranged after fetal cardiac bypass. Endothelin receptor blockade, which substantially reduced postbypass placental dysfunction, and other interventions aimed at preserving endothelial function may be effective means of optimizing fetal outcome after cardiac bypass.