The Annals of thoracic surgery
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Comparative Study
Previous coronary artery bypass grafting is not a risk factor for aortic valve replacement.
The risk of aortic valve replacement (AVR) after previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is controversial. Its magnitude influences the threshold for recommending this procedure and has been cited in arguments regarding the optimal management of mild aortic stenosis at primary CABG. We therefore reviewed our experience with reoperative AVR +/- CABG and the primary combined procedure. ⋯ The risk of AVR after previous CABG is similar to that for primary AVR+CABG. Valve replacement should, therefore, be pursued despite prior CABG when hemodynamically significant aortic stenosis develops. Furthermore, a circumspect approach to "prophylactic" AVR for mild aortic stenosis at primary CABG seems warranted.
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Comparative Study
Impact of previous thoracic aneurysm repair on thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm management.
The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of previous thoracic aortic aneurysm repair (PTAR) on subsequent thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm operations. ⋯ The presence of a PTAR did not adversely affect the outcome of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair. After thoracic aortic aneurysm repair, life-long radiologic surveillance and early surgical treatment are justified.
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Positron emission tomography with the glucose analogue 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) has been used to detect and stage a variety of malignancies. We hypothesized that FDG-positron emission tomography would improve staging of patients with esophageal cancer and thereby facilitate selection of candidates for resection. ⋯ Positron emission tomography improved staging and facilitated selection of patients for operation by detecting distant disease not identified by computed tomography alone.
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Comment Letter Case Reports
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenator for pulmonary embolism.