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Journal and News Scan
January 10, 2021
Submitted by: Aristotle Protopapas
An interesting retrospective study on the efficacy of the the US screening program for aortic aneurysmal disease in the abdomen. The discussion on the detective importance of clinical examination being complementary to sonography is pertinent. Additionally, we note the relevance of the paper to a recent call for relevant screening of the supradiaphragmatic proximal aorta: https://www.ctsnet.org/jans/commentary-lack-screening-makes-primary-prev....
The Pulmonary Autograft After the Ross Operation: Results of 25-Year Follow-Up in a Pediatric Cohort
January 8, 2021
Submitted by: Emily Robinson
This study investigates the need for follow-up and reoperation after the Ross procudure over 25 years.
January 8, 2021
Submitted by: Emily Robinson
Froede et al. present a new simplified technique to determine commissural orientation in bicuspid aortic valves using echocardiography. Their technique using a line between the center of the nonfused and fused sinuses led to reproducible results, whereas the use of the coaptation center led to misleading results.
December 22, 2020
Submitted by: Catherine Joyce
Tamer et al. analyzed the influence of preoperative aortic regurgitation (AR) on the necessity of cusp repair during valve-sparing reimplantation (VSR). They focused on patients with tricuspid aortic valves (TAV) and evaluated the impact of AR and cusp repair on long-term outcomes.
December 22, 2020
Submitted by: Catherine Joyce
Montgomery et al. report on untreated infectious aneurysms of native coronary artery and aortocoronary bypass grafts are associated with high mortality. Early diagnosis proves difficult given non-specific presenting symptoms, however once recognized, early intervention is essential to mitigate complications such as myocardial ischemia or pericardial tamponade. The successful surgical management of a patient who presented two months after diagnosis of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia is described in this report.
December 20, 2020
Submitted by: Aristotle Protopapas
A scholarly metanalytic review on training by surgical simulators. The authors submit that low-fidelity is acceptable, balancing affordable basic inanimate models against the higher cost (and ethics) of zootomy and cadaceric dissection.
December 18, 2020
Submitted by: Emily Robinson
Morimura et al. report on mechanical circulatory support bridging prior to repair of ventricular septal rupture. In eight patients, the use of intraaortic balloon pump +/- extracorporeal life support led to avoidance of emergency operation. Survival was 7/8 perioperative and 5/8 after one year. Delayed surgery of ventricular septal rupture by mechanical circulatory support bridging constitutes a safe strategy.
December 18, 2020
Submitted by: Emily Robinson
Benedetto et al. looked into machine learning as a tool to predict mortality after cardiac surgery. They analyzed single-center data using prediction models, which were developed based on a neural network technique. They demonstrated in their cohort of more than 28.000 surgeries that machine learning methods did not result in improved prediction of mortality following cardiac surgery.
December 18, 2020
Submitted by: Emily Robinson
Celik et al. present a meta-analysis regarding the outcome of TAVI implantation with respect to the survival six years after the implantation and compared it to the outcome of surgical aortic valve replacement. In their reconstructed individual patient data analysis, they found a significant higher 5-year mortality rate in TAVI patients compared to surgical aortic valve replacement.
December 13, 2020
Submitted by: Edward Savage
This is brief informative review that aids in decision making and provides criteria for early surgery for infective endocarditis in the setting of a neurologic event.