European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Apr 2016
The combined role of sinuses of Valsalva and flow pulsatility improves energy loss of the aortic valve.
Normal aortic valve opening and closing movement is a complex mechanism mainly regulated by the blood flow characteristics and the cyclic modifications of the aortic root. Our previous in vitro observations demonstrated that the presence of the Valsalva sinuses, independently from root compliance, is important in reducing systolic pressure drop across the aortic valve. This in vitro study was designed to ascertain if this effect is dependent on the flow characteristics. ⋯ These findings (i) confirm the hypothesis that the sinuses of Valsalva play a key role in optimizing the aortic haemodynamics during systole, minimizing energy losses; (ii) suggest that the sinuses of Valsalva are needed because of the complex nature of blood flow during ejection.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Apr 2016
Variability in length of stay after uncomplicated pulmonary lobectomy: is length of stay a quality metric or a patient metric?†.
Previous studies have identified predictors of prolonged length of stay (LOS) following pulmonary lobectomy. LOS is typically described to have a direct relationship to postoperative complications. We sought to determine the LOS and factors associated with variability after uncomplicated pulmonary lobectomy. ⋯ Variability exists in LOS following even uncomplicated pulmonary lobectomy. Variability is driven by clinical factors such as age, gender, payer and comorbidities, but also by surgical approach and volume. All of these factors should be taken into account when designing clinical care pathways or when allocating payment resources. Attempts to define an optimal LOS depend heavily upon the patient population studied.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Apr 2016
Surgery for Type III-IV hiatal hernia: anatomical recurrence and global results after elective treatment of short oesophagus with open and minimally invasive surgery.
Type III-IV hiatal hernia (HH) is associated with a true short oesophagus in more than 50% of cases; dedicated treatment of this condition might be appropriate to reduce the recurrence rate after surgery. A case series of patients receiving surgery for Type III-IV hernia was examined for short oesophagus, and the results were analysed. ⋯ NCT01606449.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Apr 2016
Sleep apnoea is a risk factor for acute kidney injury after coronary artery bypass grafting.
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in patients who undergo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Sleep apnoea is associated with sympathetic activation, inflammatory reaction and plaque burden. The possible status of sleep apnoea as a risk factor for AKI after CABG has not been studied. ⋯ Sleep apnoea is prevalent and is associated with AKI after CABG. The data presented here provide the first insights into the potential of treating sleep apnoea to attenuate the risk of AKI after CABG.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Apr 2016
Surgical ventricular restoration plus mitral valve repair in patients with ischaemic heart failure: risk factors for early and mid-term outcomes†.
To assess the early and mid-term outcomes and related predictors in a consecutive series of patients who underwent surgical ventricular restoration (SVR) combined with additional mitral valve (MV) repair. ⋯ MV repair combined with SVR is a complex and challenging procedure that can be performed with acceptable early and mid-term results. Interestingly, angina features predict both early and late outcome, with unstable angina at the time of surgery being a predictor of poor early outcome and the absence of angina at surgery, a predictor of favourable outcome at mid-term follow-up.