Journal and News Scan

OBJECTIVES Biological valves are the most commonly implanted prostheses for aortic valve replacement (AVR) surgery in the UK. The aim of this study was to compare performance of porcine and bovinepericardial valves implanted in AVR surgery with respect to survival and reintervention-free survival in a retrospective observational study.

CONCLUSIONS There were no differences in reintervention-free survival between bovine pericardial and porcine valves used in first-time AVR ± CABG up to a maximum of 10 years.

Screening for lung cancer with low-dose CT has been shown to save lives, but few people who qualify for screening actually receive it.  This study examined the use of the electronic medical record to identify pts at risk due to a smoking history.  Prior to initiation, the annualized rate of referral for screening was 16 pts.  After initiation the annualized rate of referral was 188, 53% of whom were identifed by tobacco use screening.   

. – In contrast to the large body of information regarding graft patency, data regarding atherosclerosis progression and vessel patency in surgically bypassed native coronary arteries are less clear. The aim of this study was to determine native coronary artery patency 1 year after coronary artery bypass grafting, and to identify clinical and angiographic predictors for the development of a chronic total occlusion (CTO). Researchers found that CTO of surgically bypassed coronary arteries 1 year after coronary artery bypass grafting is extremely common.

Methods

• Of the 440 patients who underwent 1–year follow–up angiography as part of the multicenter RAPS (Radial Artery Patency Study), this study included 388 patients (88%) for whom angiograms were available for review.
• Angiograms were reviewed for native coronary artery patency in an independent blinded manner.

Results

• On the pre–operative angiogram, CTO of at least 1 native coronary vessel was demonstrated in 240 patients (61.9%) having 305 occluded vessels.
• At 1 year after coronary artery bypass grafting, at least 1 new native coronary artery CTO occurred in 169 patients (43.6%).
• In 7.5% of patients, the native artery and the graft supplying that territory were both occluded.
• A new CTO was almost 5 times more likely to occur in coronary vessels with a pre–operative proximal stenosis >90% compared with vessels with proximal stenosis <90% (45.5% vs. 9.5%, respectively, p<0.001).
• Patients with a new CTO had significantly more baseline Canadian Cardiovascular Society class 4 angina compared with patients without a new CTO.
• A new CTO was less likely to occur in the left anterior descending artery (18.4%), supplied by the left internal thoracic artery.
• When comparing radial artery and saphenous vein grafts, neither the type of graft nor graft patency had any association with native coronary artery occlusion.

Brighton Colorado in the story of -- dog who save lives but now need saving himself. K is an eight year old lab -- pit bull mix who spent several tours of duty sniffing out roadside bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan. With his handler army specialist Brandon Donahue at -- side.

They're everywhere he couldn't really go anywhere without finding one who is. And I estimated he saved a few thousand lives now -- much deserved retirement is threatened by -- tumor in his heart. Which if not corrected will likely kill the dog.

Surgery will cost more than 6000 dollars Donahue and his wife has started a fund raiser and are determined to get the job done. -- means a lot to me and no means a lot to him. To be able to -- live.