The Annals of thoracic surgery
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The RIFLE (risk, injury, failure, loss, and end-stage renal disease) classification system was developed to standardize the definition of acute kidney injury (AKI) in adults. We hypothesized that AKI was associated with increased mortality and morbidity. ⋯ Acute kidney injury was independently associated with an increased occurrence of postoperative complications but not with mortality after pediatric cardiac surgery.
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This investigation evaluated whether the performance at a preoperative symptom-limited stair-climbing test was a prognostic factor in resected pathologic stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). ⋯ Preoperative cardiopulmonary fitness is a significant prognostic factor in patients after resection for early-stage NSCLC. Interventions aimed at improving exercise tolerance can be useful to improve long-term prognosis after NSCLC operations.
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Chest computed tomography (CCT) is a method of screening for intrathoracic injuries in hemodynamically stable patients with penetrating thoracic trauma. The objective of this study was to examine the changes in utilization of CCT over time and evaluate its contribution to guiding therapeutic intervention. ⋯ The use of CCT for penetrating thoracic trauma increased 3.5-fold during the study period with a concurrent increase in findings of uncertain clinical significance. Patients with a normal screening CXR should be triaged with 3-hour delayed CXR, serial physical examinations, and focused assessment with sonography for trauma; and CCT should only be used selectively as a diagnostic modality.
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Off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (OPCAB) may be associated with improved hospital outcomes compared with on-pump coronary artery bypass graft. However, intraoperative conversion to on-pump coronary artery bypass graft has been associated with adverse outcomes. The purpose of this study was to identify preoperative risk factors for intraoperative conversion in nonemergent patients undergoing isolated OPCAB. ⋯ Conversion to cardiopulmonary bypass during OPCAB is associated with increased in-hospital and long-term mortality and may be related to surgeon experience. Recognition of the preoperative risk factors associated with an increased risk of conversion may allow for better patient selection and reduce the incidence of intraoperative conversion during OPCAB.
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We introduce a new procedure for orthotopic left lung transplantation in rats. First, cuffs are attached to vessels or bronchi in both donors and recipients. ⋯ Transplantations were completed in 8 rats without technical errors. This rat lung transplantation technique is a straightforward method any surgeon can perform.