Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Aug 2009
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialThe role of thoracoscopy for the diagnosis of hidden diaphragmatic injuries in penetrating thoracoabdominal trauma.
Patients with a thoracoabdominal stab wound may have hidden diaphragmatic injuries that could finally lead to chronic diaphragmatic hernia. In this study, we analyzed 30 patients with penetrating thoracoabdominal injuries that were stable hemodynamically and did not need emergency exploration. They underwent thoracoscopy in order to find a probable diaphragmatic injury from March 2005 to October 2007. ⋯ We performed thoracoabdominal CT-scan 6 months later and chronic diagrammatic hernias were not reported. Diagnostic accuracy of thoracoscopy was 100%. Owing to the high diagnostic accuracy rate, minimal invasiveness and therapeutic potency of thoracoscopy we recommend it to be performed in all clinically stable patients with penetrating thoracoabdominal penetrating injury especially in the 8th intercostal space.
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Aug 2009
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyThe first Latin-American risk stratification system for cardiac surgery: can be used as a graphic pocket-card score.
This study aims to develop the first Latin-American risk model that can be used as a simple, pocket-card graphic score at bedside. The risk model was developed on 2903 patients who underwent cardiac surgery at the Spanish Hospital of Buenos Aires, Argentina, between June 1994 and December 1999. Internal validation was performed on 708 patients between January 2000 and June 2001 at the same center. ⋯ Recalibration was done in 2007, showing excellent level of agreement between the observed and predicted mortality rates on all patients (P=0.92). This is the first risk model for cardiac surgery developed in a population of Latin-America with both internal and external validation. A simple graphic pocket-card score allows an easy bedside application with acceptable statistic precision.
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Aug 2009
ReviewDoes use of intra-operative cerebral regional oxygen saturation monitoring during cardiac surgery lead to improved clinical outcomes?
A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether the use of cerebral regional oxygen saturation (rSO(2)) monitoring during cardiac surgery can lead to improved clinical outcomes. Altogether 488 papers were found using the reported search, of which eight presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. ⋯ Further, interventions carried out by thoughtful use of the cerebral oximeter are associated with significant reduction in neurologic injury, major organ morbidity and mortality (MOMM) and duration of hospital stay. Some studies have indicated decreased ventilation and intensive care unit (ICU) stay times as well. Clinical benefit and the lack of use-associated risk of injury at a modest expense support the use of this device routinely in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Aug 2009
Randomized Controlled TrialA pilot randomized study of the neutrophil elastase inhibitor, Sivelestat, in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
The primary objective of this study was to determine the feasibility and safety of treatment with Sivelestat in humans to attenuate post-cardiopulmonary bypass lung injury. Twenty patients scheduled to undergo on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery were randomized to receive either 0.3 mg/kg/h intravenous Sivelestat sodium (Sivelestat group; n=10) or isotonic sodium chloride solution (placebo group, n=10), peri-operatively. Postoperative adverse events were recorded until hospital discharge. ⋯ The mean duration of the postoperative hospital stay was shorter in the Sivelestat group (19.0+/-3.4 vs. 25.6+/-9.1, P=0.04). The exploratory analysis of relative changes in lung functions showed trends toward attenuation of lung injury in the Sivelestat group in all three pulmonary parameters, though the inter-group difference could be due to chance (P>0.05). It is feasible to administer Sivelestat as a preventive measure against lung dysfunction after cardiopulmonary bypass.
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Aug 2009
ReviewIs ministernotomy superior to conventional approach for aortic valve replacement?
A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was: is ministernotomy superior to conventional approach for aortic valve replacement (AVR)? Altogether, more than 115 papers were found using the reported search, of which six represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. ⋯ We conclude that ministernotomy can be performed safely for AVR, without increased risk of death or other major complication; however, few objective advantages have been shown. Ministernotomy can be offered on the basis of patient choice and cosmesis rather than evident clinical benefit.