The Annals of thoracic surgery
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Although not currently approved for postoperative cardiac surgical bleeding, recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) has been used for this purpose. This study sought to analyze outcomes in patients who had cardiac surgical bleeding and received low-dose and early administration of rFVIIa versus outcomes in patients who had cardiac surgical bleeding and did not receive rFVIIa. ⋯ Low-dose and early administration of rFVIIa (median total dose 12 mcg/kg) for cardiac surgical bleeding shows potential in achieving hemostasis without increased risk of thromboembolism or acute kidney injury.
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Patients with tetralogy of Fallot, pulmonary atresia, and major aortopulmonary collaterals (TOF/PA/MAPCAs) undergoing unifocalization surgery are at risk for prolonged postoperative respiratory failure. We sought to understand whether patients undergoing reconstruction and incorporation of occluded pulmonary arterial branches were at risk for worse postoperative outcomes. ⋯ Occluded pulmonary arterial branches can be safely recruited into the pulmonary vasculature in patients with TOF/PA/MAPCAs without a significant difference in postoperative outcomes compared with patients who did not have an occluded branch. Incorporation of occluded branches may also facilitate ultimate complete intracardiac repair in this complex population of patients.
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Comparative Study
Open Seldinger-Guided Femoral Artery Cannulation Technique for Thoracic Aortic Surgery.
Debate regarding the optimal cannulation site for aortic surgery continues. We report our recent experience with a simple and rapid open Seldinger-guided technique for femoral cannulation. Aside from speed and simplicity (no need for arterial incision or suture closure), this technique has the added benefit that the distal limb continues to be perfused, as no arterial snare is required. ⋯ An open Seldinger-guided femoral (or axillary) cannulation technique is quick and easy to perform, with minimal vascular or other complications and extremely low risk of stroke. This technique is recommended for its speed, simplicity, and effectiveness, and for its preservation of distal arterial flow (which is occluded with the traditional arterial incision/arterial snare technique).
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Comparative Study
The Impact of Pleural Lavage Cytology Both Before and After Lung Resection on Recurrence of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
Pleural lavage cytology (PLC) involves cytologic examination during surgery for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The timing regarding the performance of PLC is potentially important; however, a consensus remains to be established. We sought to retrospectively analyze the impact of PLC both before (pre-PLC) and after (post-PLC) lung resection on recurrence in NSCLC. ⋯ Positive post-PLC status was found to be a predictive factor for postoperative recurrence in patients with surgically resected NSCLC. Moreover, post-PLC status might be an additional factor not only for identifying a patient group with a high risk of postoperative recurrence, but also to avoid unnecessary treatment of patients with low risk of postoperative recurrence.