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Journal and News Scan
A retrospective analysis of SBRT in 13 institutions over a 10 year interval was conducted on outcomes in 582 pts with Stage I NSCLC. At 3 years, freedom from local recurrence was 80% and overall survival was 47%. The biological dose was the most important determinant of outcomes. With higher effective dosing, freedom from local recurrence was 92% and overall survival was 62%.
The authors review their shot- and mid-term experience with a new precurved fenestrated aortic endograft in the treatment of aortic arch aneurysms. This multicenter study included 393 patients (2010-2011). 94% of patients had landing zone <20 mm and in 62% the landing zone was less than 15 mm. The authors report technical success of 99.2%. The procedures were complicated by endoleak in 17 patients, stroke in 7, and six deaths. Type I endoleak was related to the maximum length of the aneurysm and in cases with proximal lending zone <15 mm.
The authors reviewed their 16 year experience with Marfan syndrome patients (94) requiring surgical intervention, presenting with acute aortic dissection in 35% of patients (76% Type A and 24% Type B) and aneurysmal disease in 65%. Total arch replacement was performed initially in 8% of patients for acute aortic dissection. Reoperative total arch replacement had to be performed in 33% of patients with initial presentation of acute aortic dissection and in 3% of patients without aortic dissection. Operative and 30-day mortality for secondary total arch replacement was 0. The authors recommend limiting surgery to the aortic root, ascending aorta and proximal aortic arch in Marfan syndrome patients presenting with acute aortic dissection.
This prospective observational study compared outcomes in children undergoing cardiac surgery and requiring continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) to other critically ill children also requiring CRRT. Of 1650 patients undergoing cardiac surgery, 5% required CRRT and 80% of those patients had multiorgan failure. 43% of those requiring CRRT after cardiac surgery died compared to 29% of other children requiring CRRT. In multivariable analysis, the only factor related to an increased risk of mortality on CRRT was hypotension at the time of instituting CRRT.
Both overall outcomes and propensity score matched outcomes were compared in patients undergoing either lobectomy or segmentectomy for clinical stage IA adenocarcinoma of the lung. In the overall cohort, 3-year recurrence-free and overall survival were similar between the groups. Among the matched patients, RFS (92.9% vs 90.9%) and OS (93.2% vs 95.7%) were also similar between the lobectomy and segementectomy groups at 3 years.
A retrospective review was performed of outcomes of ECMO used in pediatric patients with cardiac disease. Among 95 patients, hospital survival was 73%. The most favorable indication was failure to wean from bypass. Risk factors for poor outcomes included chromosomal abnormalities, single venticle, multiple ECMO runs, higher ECMO flows, poor lung compliance, and need for plasma exchange. Almost 90% of survivors had normal or slightly impaired neurologic function at 2 years.
5 RCTs were evalauted to assess outcomes of RA compared to SVG in CABG. RA had significantly better patency at 4 years and beyond, but was also more likely to be associated with string sign at 1 year.
In this prospective study of patients with GERD moderately responsive to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), an electrical device to stimulate the lower esophageal sphincter was implanted and results were assessed at 1 year. GERD health related QOL scores were reduced to 2 compared to 9 on PPIs and 23 off PPIs prior to implant. Acid exposure was reduced from 10% to 3.3%. 96% of patients required no PPIs at 1 year.