Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Oct 2010
Does off-pump coronary artery revascularization improve the long-term survival in patients with ventricular dysfunction?
Coronary artery revascularization with cardiopulmonary bypass (ONCAB) has been reported to carry several risks for patients with poor left ventricular (LV) function (ejection fraction <30%). Off-pump CABG (OPCAB) has been proposed to result in a better outcome, but mid- and long-term survival rates have never been compared. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of cardiopulmonary bypass on this group of patients. ⋯ Despite the reported benefits of OPCAB, there was no significant influence on the in-hospital mortality, mid-term survival or long-term survival in patients with LV dysfunction. With adequate myocardial protection in ONCAB and complete revascularization in OPCAB, similar results are achievable.
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Oct 2010
Is blood pleurodesis effective for determining the cessation of persistent air leak?
A best evidence topic in thoracic surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed whether blood pleurodesis is effective for cessation of persistent air leak (PAL). Altogether more than 43 papers were found using the reported search, of which 10 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. ⋯ Recurrence rates were between 0 and 29% compared with 35-41% for simple drainage, although one controlled study in which the recurrence rate was improved from 16% in controls to 0% in the blood pleurodesis group (at 12-48 months). Minor complication (empyema/fever/pleural effusion) rates varied between studies (0-18%), although they show reduced incidence in line with improving technique over time. A controlled study looking at acute respiratory distress syndrome complicated by pneumothorax showed a significant reduction in mortality (odds ratio 0.6), time to cessation of air leak (P<0.01), weaning time (P<0.01) and intensive treatment unit (ITU) stay (P<0.01) whilst another randomized control study showed significant reduction in hospital stay following pulmonary resection (P<0.001).
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Sep 2010
ReviewPerioperative outcomes in hybrid versus conventional surgical coronary artery revascularisation.
A best evidence topic was written on perioperative outcomes in hybrid coronary revascularisation according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was 'In patients with stable multivessel coronary artery disease, does the use of hybrid coronary revascularisation compared to conventional and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) reduce perioperative morbidity and mortality?' Six hundred and twenty-three papers were found in the literature search. From these results, six comparative studies and one review paper appeared to be relevant. ⋯ In summary, these papers provide limited evidence of improved perioperative outcomes in both staged and simultaneous hybrid revascularisation compared to CABG. Weaknesses of the comparative studies include the lack of mid-term and long-term follow-up and the difficulty of generalising results from specialist units to general cardiac surgical practice. A large randomised control trial comparing hybrid revascularisation and coronary artery bypass with mid-term follow-up will be required to establish the clinical effectiveness of this procedure.
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Sep 2010
ReviewDo statins slow the process of calcification of aortic tissue valves?
A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether statins slow the process of calcification of aortic tissue valves. Altogether 207 papers were found using the reported search, of which eight represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. ⋯ Two studies confirmed beneficial effects of statin therapy on valve hemodynamics or inflammatory damage in vivo, but another study, with significantly greater patients series, found lipid-lowering therapy futile in this clinical aspect. Currently, studies and their results are discordant, but statin therapy appears insufficient to result in better clinical outcomes. We conclude that even though the data is conflicting, statin therapy does not prevent SVD of bioprosthetic valves in the aortic position.
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Sep 2010
ReviewIn patients coming to theatre with an intra aortic balloon pump, is it better to turn it off or keep it on while on bypass?
A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was 'In patients coming to theatre with an intra aortic balloon pump (IABP), is it better to turn it off or keep it on while on bypass?' Altogether 46 papers were found using the reported search, of which 11 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. Nine of them were randomised controlled trials (RCTs). ⋯ Although several randomised control trials in this field have conveyed considerable benefit in terms of biochemical markers measured, none of them have resulted in better clinical outcomes in terms of reduction in major morbidity or mortality. This may be largely due to the small sample size in most of these studies. Seven out of 11 papers were published by same group of authors.