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Journal and News Scan
November 18, 2019
Submitted by: Aristotle Protopapas
An editorial related to a recent randomized controlled trial suggesting a striking benefit of anti-inflammatory secondary prevention after recent myocardial events.
November 15, 2019
Submitted by: Wei-Guo Ma
The International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection investigators analyzed the impact of cerebral malperfusion (CM) on the surgical outcomes of acute type A dissection in 2402 patients. The incidence of CM and neurologic deficit was 15.1% (362/2402). While patients with CM were less likely to present with chest pain and back pain, they had a significantly higher incidence of syncope, peripheral malperfusion, and shock and were more likely to have Debakey type I dissection and pericardial effusion on presentation. In-hospital mortality and the incidences of cerebrovascular accident and acute kidney injury were significantly higher in patients with CM. The authors conclude that surgeons may continue to offer lifesaving surgery for acute type A dissection to this critically ill cohort of patients with acceptable morbidity and mortality.
November 15, 2019
Submitted by: Emily Robinson
The authors investigated the influence of hypothermic circulatory arrest on renal function. This study includes 191 patients who underwent surgery for acute aortic dissection type A. Postoperative acute kidney injury was observed in 49 patients. Lower body ischemic time was one of the risk factors for postoperative kidney injury.
November 15, 2019
Submitted by: Emily Robinson
The authors evaluated outcomes of empyema management in over 9,000 patients in Ontario, Canada, from 1996-2015. Mortality was higher for nonoperative management at all time points assessed up to one year.
November 15, 2019
Submitted by: Emily Robinson
This study examines the way in which risk is perceived by parents of children undergoing congenital cardiac surgery. The findings demonstrate differences in the way mothers and fathers perceive risk, with mothers reporting statistically significantly higher scores than their partners. In particular, parents of children who experience postoperative complications presented a persistent rise in risk perception following discharge, emphasizing the need for flexible levels of support and information as parents navigate uncertainty.
November 14, 2019
Submitted by: Aristotle Protopapas
Interesting succinct note on a major issue, noting a possible association between cardiopulmonary bypass and this common complication.
November 11, 2019
Submitted by: Aristotle Protopapas
A useful narrative on pharmacology and metabolomics for surgeons caring for the diabetic population; the vast majority of the CTSNet membership.
November 11, 2019
Submitted by: Aristotle Protopapas
A succinct analysis of a challenging problem, with a discussion on the 'magic diameter' of 55 mm.
November 8, 2019
Submitted by: Emily Robinson
This single institution study of outcomes for the treatment of supravalvular aortic stenosis over a 20-year period identified risk factors for reintervention or reoperation: age <1 year, smaller aortic valve or aortic root, and concomitant right ventricular outflow tract repair.
November 7, 2019
Submitted by: Emily Robinson
Aortic annulus size and shape were analyzed in computed tomography angiography after a reimplantation procedure in patients with bicuspid and tricuspid aortic valves. Prior to surgery, elliptic shape was observed in tricuspid valves and more circular shape in bicuspid valves. After reimplantation, there was no difference between groups with similar roundness regardless of valve morphology. The authors concluded that annuloplasty plays an active role on the geometry of the aortic annulus.