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Journal and News Scan
February 26, 2017
Submitted by: J. Rafael Sadaba
In this manuscript, the authors describe their findings in an observational prospective study of 52 patients who had tentative diagnoses of bioprosthetic valve thrombosis (BPVT) of surgically implanted valves over a 3-year period. All patients underwent a trial of anticoagulation therapy with warfarin, and follow-up transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiography performed at least 4 weeks after the initiation of anticoagulation therapy. The authors found that an echocardiographic diagnostic score predicted the response to warfarin anticoagulation in BPVT with excellent accuracy, that warfarin significantly reduced prosthetic gradients in 83% of the patients; and that this diagnostic and therapeutic strategy was associated with minimal side effects and no mortality.
February 26, 2017
Submitted by: Marco Nardini
Padova and Bologna groups present an interesting cohort of patients treated with cadaveric cryopreserved sternocondral allograft for reconstruction of the anterior chest wall.
February 23, 2017
Submitted by: Arie Blitz
Coronary and/or CT angiograms were performed on 585 of 762 (94%) patients at varying intervals after CABG using the PAS-Port System proximal anastomotic device. The authors retrospectively evaluated the SVG patency at a mean follow-up interval (between CABG and the diagnostic procedures) was 319 ± 624 days. The patency rates of the SVG grafts performed with the device were 90% and 81% at 1 and 5 years, respectively, which compare very favorably with established SVG patency rates.
February 17, 2017
Submitted by: Arie Blitz
These authors from Spain retrospectively analyzed a group of 805 patients undergoing isolated heart valve surgery in order to correlate levels of high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-cTnT) and CK-MB with whether a patient experienced a postoperative MI, as diagnosed by EKG and/or TTE.
In all, 88 patients (10.9%) met the criteria for MI. In comparing the non-MI to the MI patients, the authors found, by analyzing the Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC), the following peak cut-off levels to distinguish whether a patient had a postop MI or not:
- hs-cTnT: >1057 pg/mL @ 16 hours
- CK-MB: >55 mg/dl @ 8 hours.
February 15, 2017
Submitted by: Arie Blitz
The authors reviewed the retrospective INTERMACS database to assess whether outcomes after continuous-flow (CF) LVAD implantation varied with patient BSA. A total of over 10,000 CF LVAD patients were included. Of these, 231 (2%) had a BSA < 1.5 m².
Outcomes: Survival was similar. Postoepratively, smaller patients had a higher incidence of bleeding and driveline infection, but a lower incidence of RV failure and renal dysfunction.
February 13, 2017
Submitted by: J. Rafael Sadaba
The authors report on an echocardiographic sub-study of the NOTION trial, a prospective randomized study which compared outcomes between 120 patients undergoing TAVI and 112 patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR). Although at 12 months of follow up, aortic valve area had increased significantly more in patients undergoing TAVI, left ventricular mass regression was more pronounced in those patients undergoing AVR. Also, whereas end diastolic volume (EDV) decreased in the AVR group, EDV increased in the TAVI group. Patients undergoing TAVI had more paravalvular leaks and need for pacemaker implantation. This could explain the differences in left ventricular mass and EDV in favour of AVR.
February 6, 2017
Submitted by: CTSNet Staff
Dr Rakesh Suri is the Guest Editor in this special issue of the Annals of Cardiothoracic Surgery exploring the emerging role of robotic instrumentation in cardiac surgery. With leading authors from the most experienced international institutions, we examine the current evidence, limitations, and future directions of this minimally invasive surgical technique. Contributors include Randolph Chitwood, Matteo Pettinari, Kent Rehfeldt, Harold Burkhart, Didier Loulmet and many more.
February 5, 2017
Submitted by: Aristotle Protopapas
A review of particular interest for procurement (retrieval) of hearts after brain injury, especially subarachnoid bleeding, the commonest cause of death in DBD in our practice. The authors discuss, amongst other things, the early stress micro-infarcts that may limit the performance of the donated heart, especally in female donors with sub arachnoid bleeding, and explain some common electrocardiographic changes ( especially the cerebral T ) that may puzzle the retrieval (procurement) team. The essential catecholaminergic pathway for these changes is discussed in detail.
February 4, 2017
Submitted by: Joel Dunning
Check out this very interesting website that has been set up to help patients who are looking for information on thoracic surgery prior to an operation.
It is really friendly and comprehensive and is a great resource for all patients who may want to find out more about their operation.
February 4, 2017
Submitted by: Joel Dunning
These guidelines are intended to be a detailed, evidence-based resource for surgeons who practice SSRF. The goal of the author group was to both update and expand upon previous guidelines by focusing on SSRF specifically and incorporating the rapid increase in both literature and technology observed over the last five years.