European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jan 2013
ReviewThe present and future of thoracic surgery within the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS).
On 10 February 2012, a Strategic Conference was organized by the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) in Windsor during the inauguration of the newly acquired EACTS house. In this review, the present and future of thoracic surgery are discussed. With the creation of the Thoracic Domain, thoracic surgery has been strengthened and made clearly visible within the general EACTS structure. ⋯ Harmonization of thoracic training within Europe is necessary to allow better exchange between different countries. Guidelines dealing with specific thoracic procedures should be further developed. The Thoracic Domain of EACTS will remain a key player in promoting thoracic surgery in Europe and internationally, and in providing high-level scientific output, education and training in thoracic surgery and diseases of the chest, which requires continuous, close cooperation between thoracic and cardiothoracic surgeons.
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At least every ten years, each specialty should reflect upon its past, its present and its future, in order to be able to reconfirm the direction in which it is headed, to adopt suggestions from inside and outside and, consequently, to improve. As such, the aim of this manuscript is to provide the interested reader with an overview of how aortic surgery and (perhaps more accurately) aortic medicine has evolved in Europe, and its present standing; also to provide a glimpse into the future, trying to disseminate the thoughts of a group of people actively involved in the development of aortic medicine in Europe, namely the Vascular Domain of the European Association of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS).
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jan 2013
Case ReportsEmergency laparotomy helped the resection of an intralobar pulmonary sequestration with haemorrhagic shock.
Massive intrapulmonary haemorrhage and haemothorax are uncommon presentations associated with pulmonary sequestration. Here, we describe the case of a 40-year-old man who suffered from high fever and haemoptysis for 1 week before he was admitted to our hospital with a complaint of chest discomfort with shock. ⋯ A pulmonary sequestration has a severe complication resulting in shock due to intrapulmonary haemorrhage and haemothorax. Accordingly, early resection of a sequestered lung should be the choice of the treatment in these cases.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jan 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialLeukocyte filtration of blood cardioplegia attenuates myocardial damage and inflammation.
Leukocyte filtration of blood cardioplegia (cLkF) is postulated to reduce ischaemia-reperfusion myocardial injury. Contradictory results have been published and few studies have addressed perioperative cytokine leakage and haemodynamic status after LkF. ⋯ cLkF during blood cardioplegia attenuates myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury and reduces perioperative leakage of TnI, lactate and pro-inflammatory cytokines. These data did not result in a better haemodynamic status.
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There is no doubt that the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery is a success story. In 2011, we celebrated the 25th anniversary of this professional organization. In 2012, we will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. ⋯ Interestingly enough, the most frequent procedures like coronary artery bypass graft and valve repair/replacement did not increase despite a growing programme. In our setting, the compensation came mainly from vascular surgery and mechanical circulatory support. These data have to be put in perspective by the reports provided by the EACTS domain chairs in order to identify the challenges and opportunities for the future development of our specialties.