The Annals of thoracic surgery
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Comparative Study
Robotic anatomic segmentectomy of the lung: technical aspects and initial results.
Robotic lobectomy with radical lymph node dissection is a new frontier of minimally invasive thoracic surgery. Series of sublobar anatomic resection for primary initial lung cancers or for metastasis using video-assisted thoracic surgery have been reported but no cases have been so far reported using the robot-assisted approach. We present the technique and surgical outcome of our initial experience. ⋯ Robotic anatomic lung segmentectomy is feasible and safe procedure. Robotic system, by improving ergonomic, surgeon view and precise movements, may make minimally invasive segmentectomy easier to adopt and perform.
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Comparative Study
Inhaled nitric oxide plus iloprost in the setting of post-left assist device right heart dysfunction.
Pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction may complicate the implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). We examined whether inhaled vasodilators can sufficiently reduce RV afterload, avoiding the need for temporary RV mechanical support. ⋯ Inhaled vasodilators mainly affected the pulmonary vasculature. Combination treatment with inhaled NO and iloprost sufficiently decreased PVR and MPAP on the basis of an additive effect, improved RV function, and avoided the need for RV assist device.
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Comparative Study
Open, hybrid, and endovascular treatment for aortic coarctation and postrepair aneurysm in adolescents and adults.
Open, hybrid, and endovascular procedures are used for grown-up patients with aortic coarctation and complications after repair, an expanding population. We sought to characterize patients and procedures, assess early and late outcomes, and describe indications to guide treatment of these complex patients. ⋯ Coarctation, recurrent coarctation, and postrepair aneurysm/pseudoaneurysm in adolescent and adult patients can be safely and effectively managed with open, hybrid, or endovascular techniques. Optimal results are achievable in this complex population of patients with a multimodality approach tailored to surgical indication and anatomy. All survivors of coarctation repair require lifelong surveillance.
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Comparative Study
Management of stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer by thoracic surgeons in North America.
Stage IIIA(N2) non-small cell lung cancer is a heterogeneous spectrum ranging from microscopic lymph node metastases to bulky multistation nodal disease. While some favor surgical resection after neoadjuvant therapy, others favor definitive chemoradiation for treatment. Our aim was to determine practice patterns of thoracic surgeons. ⋯ There is no clear consensus on management of patients with stage IIIA lung cancer in the United States. Diversity of opinion is greatest in patients with more advanced lung cancer, and limited pulmonary function.
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Recent literature suggests that a restrictive approach to red blood cell transfusions is associated with improved outcomes in cardiac surgery patients. Even in the absence of bleeding, intravascular fluid shifts cause hemoglobin levels to drift postoperatively, possibly confounding the decision to transfuse. The purpose of this study was to define the natural progression of hemoglobin levels in postoperative cardiac surgery patients. ⋯ In this report of hemoglobin drift after cardiac surgery, although all postoperative patients experienced downward hemoglobin drift, 79% of patients exhibited hemoglobin recovery before discharge. Physicians should consider the eventual upward hemoglobin drift before administering red blood cell transfusions.