The Annals of thoracic surgery
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Renal dysfunction is a predictor of increased morbidity and mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting, whether it is dialysis-dependent or not. Several studies have shown the efficacy of off-pump technique in reducing morbidity and mortality in patients with renal dysfunction. However, the actual effect of renal dysfunction in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting has not been well understood. ⋯ Early outcomes of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with renal dysfunction were comparable to those in patients with normal renal function. Renal dysfunction is not a predictor of poor early outcomes after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.
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For lobectomy patients at considerable risk of developing a postoperative bronchopleural fistula, the bronchial stump reinforcement with an intercostal muscle flap is sometimes performed. This procedure usually requires a standard thoracotomy, even if video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is better for the patient. ⋯ No postoperative complications were observed. This procedure is applicable to patients who are candidates for VATS lobectomy.
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Case Reports
Severe argatroban-induced coagulopathy in a patient with a history of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is a serious complication of heparin therapy, and it remains a therapeutic challenge in the subset of patients requiring cardiopulmonary bypass. Alternative anticoagulation strategies include lepirudin, danaparoid, bivalirudin, and argatroban, or a combination of unfractionated heparin with a platelet antagonist. ⋯ We present a patient with a history of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis who underwent a redo aortic valve replacement. Although the level of anticoagulation achieved with argatroban was initially adequate, its persistence after the completion of cardiopulmonary bypass proved to be life threatening.
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Despite significant improvement in survival after stage 1 Norwood, interim mortality before the second-stage operation remains significant. On the basis of reports of improved circulatory stability associated with the use of a right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit, the difference between two physiologically different sources of pulmonary blood flow on interim mortality was investigated. ⋯ The use of a right ventricle to pulmonary artery shunt decreases the incidence of interim mortality among hospital survivors after stage 1 Norwood for hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Aortic atresia, the use of a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt, and perioperative dysrhythmias are independently associated with a higher mortality before superior cavopulmonary connection.