European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jun 2012
Does listing for heart transplant for longer than 30 days before ventricular assist device implantation influence utilization of psychotherapeutic support and outcome?
Previous studies indicate that patients with mechanical ventricular assist devices (VADs) experience high psychosocial and emotional distress. Listing for transplant may trigger psychosocial adjustment to the transplantation as an upcoming critical life-event. We hypothesized that patients could profit from this adaptation when implantation of a VAD becomes necessary. ⋯ Our data indicate that listing for HTX for >30 days before VAD implantation does not reduce the utilization of psychotherapeutic support by VAD patients. We assume that structured emotional and psychosocial support by the interdisciplinary VAD team, including professional supportive psychotherapy, is indispensable for successful coping of VAD patients and their families.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jun 2012
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialTransapical transcatheter aortic valve implantation using the JenaValve™ system: acute and 30-day results of the multicentre CE-mark study.
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has shown promising results in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) at high risk for conventional heart surgery. The safety and efficacy of transapical aortic valve implantation using the JenaValve™, a second-generation TAVI device, were evaluated. The system consists of a tested porcine root valve mounted on a nitinol stent with feeler-guided positioning and clip fixation on the diseased leaflets. ⋯ Transapical JenaValve™ implantation was safe and effective in the treatment of severe AS in elderly patients at high risk for surgery. Active clip fixation on the native leaflets and anatomically correct feeler-guided positioning led to good functionality and prevented ostial coronary impairment. Implantation without the need for rapid pacing prevented haemodynamic compromise during valve implantation.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jun 2012
Comparative StudyMediastinal lymph node dissection in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer: totally thoracoscopic vs thoracotomy.
Although major pulmonary resections for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are more and more frequently performed through thoracoscopy, the adequacy of lymphadenectomy achieved via this approach is still questioned. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of lymph node dissection (LND) during totally thoracoscopic (TT) major pulmonary resections. ⋯ For patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy or segmentectomy for clinical early-stage NSCLC, the quality of mediastinal LND is equivalent to that performed by thoracotomy.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jun 2012
Multicenter StudyTwinned single-lung transplantation: a privileged model for the study of recipient-dependent factors of outcome.
Lung transplantation is the only life-saving treatment for end-stage respiratory disease. The outcome will depend on the graft quality, surgical conditions and recipient factors. Twinned single-lung transplantation defines as two different recipients treated with lung grafts from the same donor. Recipient-dependent factors of the outcome can be studied more accurately as the graft quality is supposed equal for both recipients. ⋯ We conclude that recipient's disease is a major determinant of the outcome. Fibrosis is associated with an increased risk for PGD.