Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Jul 2013
ReviewShould we perform bilateral-lung or heart–lung transplantation for patients with pulmonary hypertension?
A best evidence topic was constructed according to a structured protocol. The following question was addressed: of the following two procedures, heart–lung transplantation or bilateral-lung transplantation (BLTx), which offers the best outcome for patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) listed for thoracic transplantation? Of the 77 papers found using a report search for PH and thoracic transplantation, 9 represented the best evidence to answer this clinical question. Overall, 1189 (67%) lung transplantations and 578 (33%) heart–lung transplantations have been reported worldwide for idiopathic PH. ⋯ In the case of lower values for RVEF and LVEF, HLTx should be performed. In all other patients with PH, the evidence demonstrated that BLTx offers a comparable outcome with the advantage of better organ sharing for other recipients. In order to reduce the waiting time on transplantation lists, cardiac repair and BLTx can be offered in experienced centres to patients with simple cardiac anomalies such as atrial septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus or perimembranous ventricular septal defect.
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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
Balancing the benefits and risks of blood transfusions in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a propensity-matched analysis.
Prior studies have found that cardiac surgery patients receiving blood transfusions are at risk for increased mortality and morbidity following surgery. It is not clear whether this increased risk occurs across all haematocrit (HCT) levels. The goal of this study was to compare operative mortality in propensity-matched cardiac surgery patients based on stratification of the preoperative HCT levels. ⋯ Our study indicates that a broad application of blood products shows no discernible benefits. Furthermore, patients who receive blood at all HCT levels may be placed at an increased risk of operative mortality and/or other surgical complications. Paradoxically, even though patients with low HCTs theoretically should benefit the most, transfusion was still associated with a higher complication and mortality rate in these patients. Our results indicate that blood transfusion should be used judiciously in cardiac surgery patients.
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Jul 2013
Case ReportsPartial sternotomy coronary surgery with triple-vessel disease in dextrocardia and situs inversus totalis.
Dextrocardia associated with situs inversus totalis is a rare congenital condition. A small number of cases with these conditions have been reported who underwent myocardial revascularization via the on-pump or off-pump techniques. ⋯ We describe the case of a 65-year old female patient with triple-vessel obstructive coronary diseases who was successfully revascularized with three grafts using a minimally invasive technique. This was achieved via partial sternotomy and employing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.