Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Jul 2013
ReviewCan lungs be taken for transplantation from donors with a significant smoking history?
A best evidence topic in cardiothoracic surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was 'Can lungs be taken for transplantation from donors with a significant smoking history?’. Five papers were found using the reported search that represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. ⋯ Despite the difference in long-term results and outcome reported by these authors, all of these studies unanimously indicate that lungs from smokers should not be rejected, as survival in these patients receiving smoker lungs is still significantly higher in 3 and 5 years compared with that in those who remain on the transplant waiting list. In conclusion, the current evidence in the literature suggests that lungs from smokers can be used for transplantation. Patients should, however, be fully informed of the risks involved with these lungs and the worse outcome compared with those receiving non-smoker lungs.
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Jul 2013
Oxygenated shunting from right to left: a feasibility study of minimized atrio-atrial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for mid-term lung assistance in an acute ovine model.
Right ventricular failure is often the final phase in acute and chronic respiratory failure. We combined right ventricular unloading with extracorporeal oxygenation in a new atrio-atrial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). ⋯ We demonstrated the efficacy of a miniaturized atrio-atrial ECMO. Right ventricular unloading was achieved, and gas exchange was well taken over by the Novalung. This allows an effective short- to mid-term treatment of cardiopulmonary failure, successfully combining right ventricular and respiratory bridging. The parallel bypass of the right ventricle and lung circulation permits full unloading of both systems as well as gradual weaning. Further pathologies (e.g. ischaemic right heart failure and acute lung injury) will have to be evaluated.
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Jul 2013
Case ReportsManaging major vessel injuries with a Fogarty catheter during chest re-opening in children.
Injury of structures, leading to a major bleeding during chest opening, is a severe and potentially life-threatening complication, especially in redo cardiac surgery, both in adults and children. In three paediatric redo operations performed via midline sternotomy, we managed this complication successfully and uneventfully by using an inflated Fogarty catheter to plug the blood leak from the injured vessel before repairing the lesion under direct vision in a bloodless surgical field. Herein we report in detail the technique used and a comment on our experience.