The Thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon
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Thorac Cardiovasc Surg · Jun 2007
Prediction of cardiopulmonary morbidity after resection for lung cancer: stair climbing test complications after lung cancer surgery.
The objective of this study was to assess the role of a modified stair climbing test in predicting postoperative cardiopulmonary complications. ⋯ A modified stair climbing test is a safe, economical and simple test capable of predicting cardiopulmonary complications.
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Thorac Cardiovasc Surg · Jun 2007
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: experience in an adult medical ICU.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a technology that can provide extracorporeal gas exchange to patients with severe pulmonary or cardiac dysfunction. We report on our clinical experience with ECMO in critically ill patients. ⋯ Our data indicate that patients with community-acquired pneumonia and no underlying disease will benefit most from this technique. However, long-term survival is possible in immunocompromised patients. Venoarterial bypass can carry a higher risk for technical complications. Increasing experience apparently also reduces the risk of technical complications.