The Annals of thoracic surgery
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The use of administrative data for surgical site infection (SSI) surveillance leads to inaccurate reporting of SSI rates [1]. A quality improvement (QI) initiative was conducted linking clinical registry and administrative databases to improve reporting and reduce the incidence of SSI [2]. ⋯ Linkage of registry and infection control surveillance data with the EHR improves SSI surveillance. The visualization tool and workflow changes facilitated communication, SSI adjudication, and assessment of the QI initiatives. Implementation of these initiatives was associated with decreased SSI rates.
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A Fontan Y-shaped graft using a commercially available aortoiliac graft has been used to connect the inferior vena cava (IVC) to the pulmonary arteries. This modification of the Fontan procedure seeks to improve hepatic flow distribution (HFD) to the lungs. However, patient-specific anatomical restrictions might limit the space available for graft placement. Altering the superior vena cava (SVC) positioning is hypothesized to provide more space for an optimal connection, avoiding caval flow collision. Computational modeling tools were used to retrospectively study the effect of SVC placement on Y-graft hemodynamics. ⋯ SVC positioning with respect to the Y-graft affects HFD, especially in patients with lower IVC flow. Careful positioning of the SVC at the time of a bidirectional Glenn (BDG) procedure based on patient-specific anatomy can optimize the hemodynamics of the eventual Fontan completion.
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Observational Study
Coxiella burnetii Endocarditis and Aortic Vascular Graft Infection: An Underrecognized Disease.
Q fever is considered endemic worldwide, and endocarditis, or aortic vascular infection, or both caused by Coxiella burnetii can be a fatal disease. The importance of surgical intervention has not yet been defined. We performed a descriptive retrospective study to assess indications for surgical treatment, timing of treatment, and outcome. ⋯ In this series surgical treatment yielded good results for both Q fever endocarditis and vascular graft infection. No association was found between timing of the surgical procedure and patients' outcomes.
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Comparative Study
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Versus Aortic Valve Bypass: A Comparison of Outcomes and Economics.
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is currently offered to patients who are high-risk candidates for conventional surgical aortic valve replacement. For the past 37 years, off-pump aortic valve bypass (AVB) has been used in elderly patients at our center for this similarly high-risk group. Although TAVR and AVB were offered to similar patients at our center, comparisons of clinical outcomes and hospital economics for each strategy were not reported. ⋯ TAVR and AVB relieve aortic stenosis and have similar and acceptable procedural mortality rates. AVB-treated patients had 1.75 times the STS risk score when compared with the TAVR cohort. Hospital charges for TAVR were nearly twofold those of AVB. Hospital reimbursement was similar, but AVB had two to four times the profit margin of TAVR. Longer follow-up for the TAVR cohort will determine whether survival is comparable to that after AVB at 3 and 5 years.