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Journal and News Scan
September 1, 2019
Submitted by: Aristotle Protopapas
Interesting viewpoint of a cardiologist on low-SYNTAX subjects.
August 31, 2019
Submitted by: Mark Ferguson
The growth and replication of cardiomyocytes derived from stem cells is insufficient to permit regeneration of functioning heart tissue. In this study, the authors used stem cell-derived epicardial cells to facilitate myocardial regeneration. Tissues from such stem cells enhance the structure and function of heart muscle by improving contractility, calcium handling, and myofibril structure. In a rat heart model, this intervention produced functional improvements for up to three months.
August 31, 2019
Submitted by: Mark Ferguson
This review details the risks of surgical smoke exposure, which include lung injury and cancer. The level of risk has yet to be determined. Most operating rooms do not require smoke evacuation devices, but their use should be considered.
August 30, 2019
Submitted by: Emily Robinson
In this best evidence topic paper, the authors examined outcome and safety of innominate artery cannulation versus axillary artery cannulation in thoracic aortic surgery. There were no significant differences in mortality with innominate artery cannulation compared to axillary artery cannulation. In most studies, a stroke occurred slightly less frequently in patients receiving innominate artery cannulation compared to axillary artery cannulation. The authors conclude that innominate artery cannulation is noninferior to axillary artery cannulation.
August 30, 2019
Submitted by: Emily Robinson
Gershengorn and colleagues evaluated the incidence and safety of overnight extubation following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), using retrospective data from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database. Between 2014 and 2017, 42% of patients undergoing elective CABG had an overnight extubation, a rate that the authors report is similar to patients undergoing other cardiac procedures. For patients who had mechanical ventilation duration of six to eight hours, overnight extubation was associated with increased reintubation and longer intensive care unit stays, but less reintubation and reduced length of stay were observed for patients extubated overnight who had mechanical ventilation durations between nine and 20 hours. No difference in mortality was noted with overnight extubation, and the authors conclude that the practice is prevalent after cardiac surgery and that it is associated with little risk.
August 29, 2019
Submitted by: Mark Ferguson
Using an approach that minimizes valve depth relative to the membranous septum, the authors reduced the need for permanent pacemaker placement to a reliable and predictable 3% compared to the accepted standard of 10%.
August 29, 2019
Submitted by: Aristotle Protopapas
An interesting meta-analysis discouraging perhaps the use of this KATP modulator, especially after surgical revascularization where optimization of serum potassium is generally sought.
August 27, 2019
Submitted by: Jessica Luc
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Heart and Vascular Center, through support from the National Institutes of Health and the Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network, announces a call for applications for the Dartmouth National Implementation Science Program (NISP) Scholar in cardiothoracic surgery – an innovative translational research program designed to train the next generation of clinical investigators. The program can be completed during residency and particularly seeks applications from women and underrepresented minorities. More information on the program and application materials can be found at: https://www.hvcresearch.com/implementation-science.html Applications are due by October 1, 2019.
August 26, 2019
Submitted by: Mark Ferguson
Using data from more than 3.3 million patients in the NCDR CathPCI Registry, researchers used machine learning to develop an algorithm that predicts post-PCI major bleeding with a C-statistic of 0.82.
August 25, 2019
Submitted by: Tom C. Nguyen
In an era of increased use of MitraClip, surgical mitral valve repair still offers a durable solution. Tirone David and colleages report 1,234 consecutive patients who had mitral valve repair with 20 year follow-up.