The Annals of thoracic surgery
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Safe application of a restrictive transfusion protocol in moderate-risk patients undergoing cardiac operations.
Perioperative red blood cell transfusion is associated with adverse outcomes after cardiac operations. Although restrictive transfusion protocols have been developed, their safety and efficacy are not well demonstrated, and considerable variation in transfusion practice persists. We report our experience with a restrictive transfusion protocol. ⋯ A restrictive transfusion protocol can be safely applied in the care of moderate-risk patients undergoing cardiac operations. This strategy has significant potential to reduce transfusion and resource utilization in these patients, standardize transfusion practices across institutions, and increase the safety of cardiac operations.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Sublobar resection for lung adenocarcinoma meeting node-negative criteria on preoperative imaging.
This study evaluated the usefulness of sublobar resection for patients with clinical stage IA lung adenocarcinoma that met our proposed node-negative criteria: solid tumor size of less than 0.8 cm on high-resolution computed tomography or maximum standardized uptake value of less than 1.5 on [18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography. ⋯ Sublobar resection without systematic nodal dissection is feasible for clinical stage IA lung adenocarcinoma that meets the above-mentioned node-negative criteria. Even a T1b tumor, which is generally unsuitable for intentional sublobar resection, can be a candidate for sublobar resection if it meets these node-negative criteria.
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Comparative Study
Long-term durability of bicuspid aortic valve repair.
Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common congenital cardiac malformation, occurring in 1% to 2% of the population. Eventually, 20% develop clinically important valvar regurgitation requiring surgical intervention. Aortic valve repair avoids anticoagulation and prosthetic valve-related complications. This study evaluated long-term durability of BAV repair. ⋯ BAV repair is safe and durable with low mortality, low prevalence of reoperation, and good long-term survival. Cusp prolapse from technical errors and natural progression of disease are the most common causes for reoperation, but progressive natural increase in valve gradient accounts for a substantial proportion as well.
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Comparative Study Observational Study
Cardiac surgery nurse practitioner home visits prevent coronary artery bypass graft readmissions.
We designed and tested an innovative transitional care program, involving cardiac surgery nurse practitioners, to improve care continuity after patient discharge home from coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) operations and decrease the composite end point of 30-day readmission and death. ⋯ A home transition program providing continuity of care, communication hub, and medication management by treating hospital nurse practitioners significantly reduced the 30-day composite end point of readmission/death after CABG. More targeted resource allocation based on odds ratios of readmission may further improve results and be applicable to other patient groups.
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Comparative Study
Operative outcomes after open repair of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms in the era of endovascular surgery.
Since the advent of endovascular techniques for repair of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms (DTAAs), there has been a relative paucity of current data for open repairs. The purpose of this study was to assess the operative and long-term outcomes in a contemporary series of open repairs of DTAAs. ⋯ In the era of endovascular repair of DTAAs, operative death and morbidity outcomes for open repairs are observed to be low. In addition to good long-term survival rates, open repairs are durable, as evidenced by low reintervention rates.