The Annals of thoracic surgery
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Observational Study
Women and Minorities Underrepresented in Academic Cardiothoracic Surgery: It's Time for Next Steps.
Women and racial and ethnic minorities are underrepresented among U.S. physicians, but are limited data on cardiothoracic surgery diversity. This study characterizes current racial and ethnic and gender diversity in academic cardiothoracic surgery. ⋯ Women and racial and ethnic minorities are significantly underrepresented among trainees and faculty in academic cardiothoracic surgery compared with surgery and medicine overall, demonstrating a need for concerted action.
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Management of acute type A aortic dissection (AADA) presenting with cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) may require aggressive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), including extracorporeal CPR followed by aortic repair. This study evaluated the early and long-term outcomes of patients with preoperative CPA related to AADA. ⋯ AADA with CPA is associated with significantly high mortality; however aortic repair can be performed with a 30% likelihood of functional recovery, if return of spontaneous circulation is achieved. Preoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is not recommended in this patient cohort.
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Esophagectomy is the key component of curative esophageal cancer treatment. Textbook outcome is a composite measure describing an optimal perioperative course, including variables related to radical resection, including at least 15 lymph nodes, and an uncomplicated postoperative course without hospital readmission. This study assessed clinicopathologic predictors of textbook outcome and the association of textbook outcome with survival in 2 tertiary referral centers. ⋯ Achieved textbook outcome was associated with better overall and disease-free survival, thus illustrating the association of improved short-term outcomes and long-term survival and the importance of pursuing textbook outcome.