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Journal and News Scan
June 20, 2014
Submitted by: Joel Dunning
Bilobectomy and right lobectomy were compared in a retrospective case-control study with 117 matched pairs. Space-mismatch related complications were not more frequent following bilobectomy, however, the rate of cardiovascular events was higher after lower and middle lobectomy compared with lower lobectomy.
June 20, 2014
Submitted by: Joel Dunning
Author presents a detailed step-by-step approach to Systemic-AP shunt construction in infants via median sternotomy, which offers advantages of preservation of subclavian artery, ease of construction and, perhaps more importantly, ease of takedown. In spite of decreasing annual incidence of this procedure as a result of a change of towards definitive repair whenever possible, it should be still regarded as a very useful procedure in patients who need a reliable source of pulmonary blood flow until such a time when definitive repair may be safely done.
Many thanks,
June 20, 2014
Submitted by: Joel Dunning
This well documented report analyses different techniques for Bentall procedures performed using biological valved conduit, which have dramatically expanded mainly due to the increased incidence of aortic disease in the aging population, many patients not being amenable to aortic valve repair. Authors offer detailed, well documented description of techniques to be used when performing this procedure with Medtronic Freestyle Root Vascutek BioValsalva graft, Sorin Mitroflow Valsalva graft, and so-called hand-sewn biological composite graft.
June 18, 2014
Submitted by: Joel Dunning
Coronary artery bypass grafting versus drug-eluting stents in patients with severe coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Journal of Diabetes, 06/11/2014 Evidence Based Medicine Review Article
The authors performed a comprehensive meta–analysis to evaluate the comparative benefits of coronary artery bypass grafting versus drug–eluting stents in patients with diabetes mellitus and severe coronary artery disease. For patients with diabetes mellitus and severe coronary artery disease, CABG was superior to DES in that it significantly improve overall and MACCE–free survival rate and reduce incidences of myocardial infarction and repeat revascularization in the long–term follow–up, although it was associated with more perioperative risks and a higher incidence of stroke. Therefore, CABG should remain the gold standard for these patients.
Methods
- A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Embase, and ScienceDirect was carried out.
- References and cited papers of relevant articles were also checked.
Results
- A total of 4 randomized controlled trials, 2 prospective registries and 11 retrospective studies were identified for this review.
- Pooled analysis demonstrated that DES was associated with lower all-cause mortality at 30-day.
- However, there was no significant difference between CABG and DES in mortality at 12-month and at maximum follow-up, DES was associated with lower overall and MACCE-free survival rate, higher incidences of myocardial infarction and repeat revascularization.
- CABG was associated with an increased risk of stroke.
June 16, 2014
Submitted by: Benjamin Bidstrup
Using data from the Australian Cardiac Surgical Database, the authors provide further information regarding acute kidney damage after cardiac surgery. This study has added to the evidence that preoperative impairment, IABP use, red cell transfusion and infective endocarditis are predictive factors. It remains to be determined what therapies can be instituted to reduce changes in renal function in future clinical trials.
June 16, 2014
Submitted by: Benjamin Bidstrup
The rate of cerebral embolism in patients with acute infective endocarditis (AIE) was about one quarter on CT scanning, with about one third having silent emboli. This had an adverse impact on survival. Haemorrhagic transformation was low. The authors indicate CT scanning should be routine for all patients with AIE.
June 11, 2014
Submitted by: Joel Dunning
This is one of the excellent videos available free in full at www.annalscts.com
Massive left hemothorax is a rare and dramatic complication of acute type B aortic dissection. The primary endpoint is to treat the aortic rupture, stop the bleeding and stabilize the hemodynamic status, with the aim to prevent mortality and major cardiac, cerebral, visceral and renal complications. Thoracic endovascular repair (TEVAR) is the most frequent management, although its planning, in these emergent patients, may be very difficult and sub-optimal imaging may result at post-operative examination (CT and MRI). In case of TEVAR is not the definitive treatment of the aortic disease, a second stage surgical management can be performed in elective status, in a patient with a total clinical recover. In acute and dramatic circumstances, like ruptured type B dissection, TEVAR is a valid and suitable bridge procedure to open surgery, reducing the overall risk for mortality and major complications.
June 10, 2014
Submitted by: Mark Ferguson
This report on 127 pts with atypical pulmonary carcinoid evaluated clinical and pathological prognostic features. Recurrence developed in 25% of pts during follow-up, with sublobar resection being the only independent predictor. Survival was related only to distant recurrence on multivariable analysis. The authors recommend complete standard anatomical resection with radical lymphadenectomy as a the standard of care.
June 8, 2014
Submitted by: J. Rafael Sadaba
In this study, the authors identify a number of markers in cardiac stem cells obtained from 38 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting which appear to predict positive myocardial remodelling at 12 months following surgery
June 5, 2014
Submitted by: Mark Ferguson
This large-scale study evaluated kidney function postoperatively and at 1 year after either on-pump or off-pump isolated first time CABG. Nearly 3000 pts were enrolled over a 2 year period. Outcomes were a >50% increase in creatinine within 30 days of operation (AKI) and >20% loss of GFR at 1 year. Off-pump bypass was associated with a lower incidence of AKI (17.5% vs 20.8%), but the rates of loss of kidney function at 1 year were similar (17.1% vs 15.3%).