European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Feb 2015
The off-pump technique in redo coronary artery bypass grafting reduces mortality and major morbidities: propensity score analysis of data from the Japan Cardiovascular Surgery Database†.
The benefits of off-pump coronary artery grafting (OPCAB) have been demonstrated. Especially in patients with a high number of comorbidities, redo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) remains a difficult entity of CABG, because patients are likely to have multiple risk factors and often have diseased patent grafts with adhesions. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the OPCAB technique in redo CABG on mortality and morbidity using data from the Japan Cardiovascular Surgery Database (JCVSD). ⋯ The off-pump technique reduced early operative mortality and the incidences of major complications in redo CABG.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Feb 2015
Surgeon-specific mortality data disguise wider failings in delivery of safe surgical services.
Feedback of clinical outcome data to clinicians can promote and enhance patient safety. Surgeon-specific mortality data (SSMD) have been released to the public for a number of specialties. This implies that one individual is culpable for all deaths. Debate continues about SSMD because of risk-averse behaviour. In the USA, improved outcome measures derived from phase of care mortality analysis (POCMA) and the failure to rescue (FTR) are replacing SSMD, but they have not been tested in Europe. ⋯ The study showed that most deaths cannot be prevented by the operating surgeon. They occurred through issues of patient comorbidity, lack of process or infrastructure. This casts doubt on SSMD publication alone as a tool for quality improvement. In contrast, POCMA and FTR highlight problems of process, and are more likely to promote advances in surgical care.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Feb 2015
Total aortic arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk in acute type A aortic dissections: are we pushing the limits too far?†.
Acute type A aortic dissection (AADA) is a surgical emergency. In patients with aortic arch and descending aorta (DeBakey type I) involvement, performing a total aortic arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk (FET) for supposedly better long-term results is controversial. We hereby present our results. ⋯ Our results with FET in AADA show acceptable results. Total aortic arch replacement with an FET in AADA patients does demand high technical skills. In spite of this, we believe FET improves long-term outcomes in cases of AADA with intima tear or re-entry in the aortic arch or the descending aorta (DeBakey type I). Modern grafts with four side branches as well as sewing collars for the distal anastomosis have helped to further 'simplify' the FET implantation. However, such a strategy is not appropriate in all AADA cases; it should be implemented only in experienced centres and only if absolutely necessary.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Feb 2015
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for refractory septic shock in adults.
The role of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) remains controversial in adult patients with refractory septic shock. We sought to describe the clinical outcomes of adult patients supported by ECMO during septic shock refractory to conventional treatment. ⋯ Survival to hospital discharge remained low in adult patients with refractory septic shock despite ECMO support. Our findings suggest that implantation of ECMO during refractory septic shock could be considered in patients with severe myocardial injury but should be avoided in patients who have received CPR.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Feb 2015
The frozen elephant trunk technique for acute type A aortic dissection: results from 15 years of experience†.
We aimed to evaluate the long-term prognosis of prophylactic repair of the descending aorta using the frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique for acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD). ⋯ The FET technique results in excellent aortic remodelling of the downstream aorta and can improve the long-term outcomes for AAAD.