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Journal and News Scan
March 31, 2017
Submitted by: CTSNet Staff
Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (CC-TGA) is a complex form of congenital heart disease that may require left ventricular re-training prior to a double switch procedure. This study reviewed experience in 24 patients with CC-TGA who were enrolled in a left ventricular re-training program. Eighteen of the 24 patients underwent successful double switch, and 5 additional candidates are considered good candidates for a double switch. These results demonstrate that left ventricular re-training offers a reliable strategy in CC-TGA
March 29, 2017
Submitted by: Aristotle Protopapas
The esteemed authors are to be commended on the detailed but readable desciption of their technique under the heading 'Indication and Surgical Technique of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and CentriMag Device' (page 753)
March 29, 2017
Submitted by: Aristotle Protopapas
A succinct editorial advancing the case for aortic super-centres
March 28, 2017
Submitted by: CTSNet Staff
Vasoplegia was analysed in 225 patients undergoing heart failure surgery (left ventricular restoration, CorCap implantation or LVAD implantation). The complication was observed in 29% of patients. A higher risk was observed in patients with anaemia and higher thyroxine levels, whereas higher creatinine clearance and beta-blocker medication were associated with a lower risk.
March 28, 2017
Submitted by: CTSNet Staff
Blood of septic or healthy pigs was used in a 12-h ECMO mock loop experiment. No higher activation of coagulation or inflammatory response or increased problems with the oxygenator was found with septic compared to control blood.
March 28, 2017
Submitted by: CTSNet Staff
Christophe Chautems and colleagues shed light on the challenges, strategies and current developments in the field of magnetically driven medical microrobots for intracorporeal use.
March 28, 2017
Submitted by: Arie Blitz
The authors report here on the results of the Italian CHEETAH study, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial examining whether adding the unique inotrope levosimendan—in low doses—improves 30-day mortality after cardiac surgery in patients with perioperative LV dysfunction. The trial was halted after the first 506 patients were enrolled because of the futility of continuing the trial. There were no significant differences between the levosimendan group and the placebo group in 30-day survival, as well as for any of the measured postoperative secondary outcomes. (Levosimendan is currently not FDA approved for use in the U.S.)
March 27, 2017
Submitted by: Mark Ferguson
Evidence for the benefit of sleeve lobectomy over pneumonectomy for lung cancer is limited. This 10 year retrospective nationwide study compared propensity score matched sleeve resection and pneumonectomy patients (794 in each group). Postoperative outcomes and long-term disease-free survival were superior in the sleeve resection patients when matched patients were evaluated, but this advantage did not hold when treatment weighting was considered.
March 27, 2017
Submitted by: Mark Ferguson
The authors describe use of a stented jugular vein graft in the mitral position in infants at a median of 8.5 months and 5.6 Kg. Hemodynamics improved substantially, with no important MR or paravalvular leak. The ratio of the narrowest subaortic dimension in systole to the actual mitral valve dimension <0.5 was associated with LV outflow tract obstruction.
March 27, 2017
Submitted by: Mark Ferguson
The authors sought to enhance the landing zone in management of retrograde Type A aortic dissection by inducing thrombosis of the false lumen as a first stage followed by TEVAR. Management was successful in all 9 pts in whom it was attempted.