Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery
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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 ReportsCombined transection of the left common carotid artery and delayed left main bronchus disruption after blunt chest trauma.
A 26-year old female was hit in the cervical region by a large block of ice and admitted with stable vital signs and multiple fractures. Chest radiography demonstrated an enlarged mediastinum, and CT scan revealed a transection of the left common carotid artery at its origin, with a false aneurysm. The lesion was repaired using a median sternotomy, cardiopulmonary bypass, moderate hypothermia and cerebral antegrade perfusion through the right axillary artery. The bronchial lesion was diagnosed 2 days later and successfully treated with left posterolateral thoracotomy and the use of direct bronchial anastomosis.
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Jul 2013
Case ReportsTherapeutic hypothermia for severe cerebral air embolism complicating pleural lavage for empyema.
Cerebral air embolism during pleural lavage is a rare, but potentially fatal complication. We present a case of severe cerebral air embolism that developed during pleural lavage for empyema and was successfully treated by therapeutic hypothermia. ⋯ Cranial computed tomography and cranial magnetic resonance imaging showed many small bubbles and widespread infarction in the territory of the right middle cerebral artery. The patient received therapeutic hypothermia maintained at 33°C for 24 h and could leave the hospital without delayed sequelae.
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Jul 2013
Case ReportsRecurrent upper limb ischaemia due to a crutch-induced brachial artery aneurysm.
An 83-year old man who had used bilateral axillary crutches for 67 years was referred to our hospital for acute left upper limb ischaemia. He underwent successful recanalization through emergent catheter thromboembolectomy. ⋯ Therefore, we performed aneurysm exclusion and subsequent saphenous vein bypass grafting. When a crutch user presents with upper limb ischaemia, a high index of suspicion and early identification of the crutch induced vascular injury are mandatory for appropriate treatment.
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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.