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Journal and News Scan
February 20, 2020
Submitted by: Mark Ferguson
This study of Medicare beneficiaries evaluated how often CABG was performed related to narrow intervals around a patient's birthday. Those who were seen just prior to their 80th birthday (thus 79 years old, representing left-digit bias) were abouth 30% more likely to undergo CABG than those who were seen just after their birthday (thus 80 years old). Similar findings were not evident for other ages in the same range (e.g. 77, 78, 79, 81, 82, 83). For comparison, mortality after MI was unrelated to the interval surrounding an individual's 80th birthday. The findings support the presence of left-digit bias in clinical decision-making.
February 20, 2020
Submitted by: Aristotle Protopapas
The authors revisit the older, somewhat misinterpreted hypothesis of cocoa and vasodilation. The title may again be misinterpreted by the general media as an encouragement to gorge on HIGH CALORIE, HIGH FAT nutrients
February 19, 2020
Submitted by: Wei-Guo Ma
Dr Coselli and associates from Baylor published a comprehensive review of their practice in the perioperative management of patients undergoing thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair.
This is the second part of the review, focusing on fundamentals of postoperative care and management of operative complications.
February 19, 2020
Submitted by: Wei-Guo Ma
Dr Coselli and associates from Baylor published a comprehensive review of their practice in the perioperative management of patients undergoing thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair.
This is the first part of the review. The unique preoperative considerations to reduce the risk of adverse operative outcomes are expounded.
February 11, 2020
Submitted by: Emily Robinson
The 2019 EACTS/EACTA/EBCP Guidelines on cardiopulmonary bypass in adult cardiac surgery is setting a worldwide benchmark on cooperation of perfusionists and cardiac surgeons in the joined care of cardiac surgery patients. This is the first European document on guidelines regarding the conduction of cardiopulmonary bypass. Many recommendations are based on expert consensus, thereby urging joined research efforts within this important field.
February 11, 2020
Submitted by: Emily Robinson
In this retrospective study of 1760 patients undergoing esophagectomy for cancer at Memorial Sloan Kettering, isolated brain metastases occurred in 2% during follow-up. More than half of those developed within one year of resection. Response to induction therapy was associated with long-term survival in these patients.
February 11, 2020
Submitted by: Emily Robinson
The authors attempt to capture the main reasons why some centers are successful in embarking on an endoscopic mitral valve surgery program. The supplementary material includes videos of two alternative cross-clamping options by the authors.
February 8, 2020
Submitted by: Mark Ferguson
The newest version of the ASCO guidelines for lung cancer surveillance after curative lung cancer therapy is presented. The overall quality of supportive evidence is low, and the strength of recommendations is moderate. CT is recommended as the optimal imaging modality. Of interest, PET and circulating biomarkers are not recommended for routine surveillance.
February 6, 2020
Submitted by: Emily Robinson
Among 7830 patients undergoing arch or hemiarch replacement with hypothermic circulatory arrest in the STS Database, risk factors for the composite of mortality or major permanent neurologic complications were assessed. The incidence of the outcome was 10.9%. The use of antegrade or retrograde cerebral perfusion was protective compared to no cerebral perfusion.
February 3, 2020
Submitted by: Mark Ferguson
Use of a novel decision aid for patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis resulted in greater patient knowledge and satisfaction, although decisional conflict was unchanged. Physicians, on the other hand, felt that the aid was not understood by elderly patients, and believed that they used shared decision-making in their usual practice, without the use of a decision aid.