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Journal and News Scan
January 27, 2023
Submitted by: Cameron Lind
According to a study presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the pandemic negatively influenced outcomes of cardiac surgery for people of all socioeconomic statuses. While this goes against previous data, the researchers explained that since the pandemic began, people who were able to undergo heart surgery tended to be less socioeconomically distressed than before, suggesting that more vulnerable patients had trouble gaining access to cardiac surgical care.
January 27, 2023
Submitted by: Cameron Lind
Since guidelines for treating ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) have changed over time, this study aimed to assess the real-world impact of that change. Researchers found that, although the rate of valve replacement for severe IMR did not change, patients with moderate IMR were less likely to undergo replacement.
January 27, 2023
Submitted by: Cameron Lind
A novel self-expanding TAVR valve has been successfully implanted in ten patients, as reported by a research team in China. The new device is made of a self-expanding nitinol stent with three valve leaflets of bovine pericardial, reduces the risk of coronary obstruction, and is completely retrievable and repositionable. Based on this successful trial, the device has a promising future.
Read the original study here.
January 20, 2023
Submitted by: Cameron Lind
Since comprehensive data on thrombus formation is limited, this study looked at the associated factors and long-term survival rates. The research extended current knowledge by identifying the most prevalent rick factors for thrombus formation and emphasizing the role of state-of-the-art device and medical therapy to improve outcomes.
January 20, 2023
Submitted by: Cameron Lind
Researchers conducted a literature analysis to weigh the benefits and risks of using Impella versus ECMO for use in cases of cardiogenic shock. They reviewed each method’s efficacy, clinical outcomes, cost-effectiveness, complications, and limitations. The study found that Impella ranked higher in each of these categories but had inconclusive data on long-term results.
January 20, 2023
Submitted by: Cameron Lind
This analysis of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database aimed to evaluate clinical outcomes of the Ross procedure in children from 2000 to 2018. It was found that, in a sample size of 2,805 children, the Ross procedure was being performed with low mortality throughout North America.
January 20, 2023
Submitted by: Cameron Lind
A team at the University of California Davis was the first on the west coast to perform a mitral valve replacement with new minimally invasive valve technology. Since no surgical access through the chest is involved in transfemoral transseptal mitral valve replacement (TTMV), it has a shorter recovery time and opens the door for valve replacement in patients who wouldn’t otherwise be eligible.
January 12, 2023
Submitted by: Cameron Lind
A recent study found that mesothelioma patients who undergo both lung-sparing extended pleurectomy and decortication can achieve extended survival compared to those who undergo just one type of surgery. When lung-sparing surgery is a possibility, it was found to have a superior long-term survival rate and represents a shift in mesothelioma treatment.
January 12, 2023
Submitted by: Cameron Lind
When more complex tools are not available, such as in rural or low resource areas, this study found that a pulse oximetry screening tool can be used to detect congenital heart defects in neonates. In the 5,874 neonates studied, 164 were found to have significant hypoxemia on pulse oximetry, and 44 were subsequently found to have a congenital heart defect. These findings are important to finding congenital heart defects in infants whose doctors may not have access to other diagnostic tools.
January 12, 2023
Submitted by: Cameron Lind
INTEGRITTY, a group dedicated the appraisal of evidence to support optimized patient management, published a paper highlighting concerns surrounding major TAVR versus SAVR studies. While their findings do not aim to directly discredit the studies, they do raise questions about the integrity of their methodology.