The Annals of thoracic surgery
-
Lung biopsies are frequently needed to diagnose diffuse interstitial lung diseases. Both limited thoracotomy (open lung biopsy) and thoracoscopy can be used for lung biopsies, but both procedures have traditionally required hospital admission. We report a series of patients that underwent outpatient open lung biopsy to show the safety and effectiveness of this practice. ⋯ Selected patients with a clinical diagnosis of diffuse interstitial lung disease can safely and effectively undergo diagnostic outpatient open lung biopsy. However, careful patient selection and attention to operative detail are essential.
-
Acute type A dissection is associated with postoperative complications and a high mortality rate. This study was performed to determine the perioperative risk factors leading to hospital mortality in patients with acute type A aortic dissection. ⋯ Preoperative ST-T elevation and massive blood transfusion during operation were identified as significant independent risk factors for hospital mortality after operation for acute type A aortic dissection. Our findings should contribute to estimation of operative risk in individual patients.