The Annals of thoracic surgery
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The role of a reentry tear in the descending thoracic aorta (DTA) after repair of acute aortic dissection is not well known. We therefore investigated the impact of reentry tear location on late aorta reintervention and the aortic expansion rate after open repair of acute type I aortic dissection. ⋯ A proximally located DTA reentry tear was associated with an increased risk of late aorta reintervention and distal aortic dilatation.
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Guidelines outlining the role of surgical embolectomy for acute pulmonary embolism remain consensus based; however, recent outcomes have improved compared with traditional experiences. This study examined contemporary outcomes of patients treated for acute pulmonary embolism on a nationwide scale. ⋯ In this contemporary, real-world study, mortality occurred in 19.8% of patients undergoing surgical embolectomy for acute pulmonary embolism. This represents a significant improvement compared with traditional outcomes and supports the role of surgery in the multidisciplinary treatment of this high-risk condition.
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Case Reports
Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery to Esophageal Fistula: A Rare Case and Its Management.
A 29-year-old woman underwent esophageal stent placement after developing esophageal stenosis in the setting of tracheoesophageal fistula repair in childhood. The patient developed hemoptysis from an esophageal to aberrant right subclavian artery fistula; this was managed with several staged procedures involving arterial stent placement, carotid-to-subclavian bypass, and aberrant subclavian artery ligation. The patient then underwent pericardial patch repair of her perforated esophagus. This case illustrates the importance of understanding congenital anatomy and frequent associations, such as tracheoesophageal fistula and aberrant right subclavian artery; furthermore, it demonstrates the importance of multidisciplinary care for complex cases.
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Daytime Variation in Aortic Valve Surgery and Clinical Outcome: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.
Time of day potentially impacts outcomes in cardiac surgery. Therefore, the goal of this study was to assess whether elective aortic valve replacement surgery performed in the morning versus the afternoon is associated with differences in risk-adjusted morbidity and mortality. ⋯ In our propensity score-matched analysis on 2720 patients undergoing elective isolated aortic valve replacement or combined aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting, time of day variation had no significant impact on clinical outcomes. Thus our study refutes the need to consider the timing of elective aortic valve surgery to improve clinical outcomes.