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
Reparative surgery of the pulmonary autograft: experience with Ross reoperations.
Autograft valve and root pathology is the leading cause of Ross procedure failure. To define risk and outcome of autograft valve/root repair at reoperation, a 17-year experience was analysed. ⋯ Autograft reoperation carries negligible hospital risk. Pulmonary valve sparing or repair is feasible in half of patients with Ross failure. Concomitant root remodelling and absence of preoperative severe valve dysfunction predict successful and durable repair.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jun 2012
Surgical time out checklist with debriefing and multidisciplinary feedback improves venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in thoracic surgery: a prospective audit.
There is a significant global burden of preventable morbidity and mortality after surgery caused by avoidable adverse events. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis, despite evidence for its efficacy, is not reliably and consistently prescribed, and is currently a serious concern for patient safety. The aim of this study was to prospectively audit errors captured by an extended surgical time out checklist and relate them to the introduction of a safety culture. ⋯ Use of checklists alongside appropriate human factors training, debriefing and regular multidisciplinary communication can substantially improve VTE prophylaxis in patients undergoing surgery.
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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 StudyEffects of low-dose human atrial natriuretic peptide for preventing post-operative cardiopulmonary complications in elderly patients undergoing pulmonary resection for lung cancer.
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the clinical effects of human atrial natriuretic peptide (hANP) on post-operative cardiopulmonary complications in elderly patients undergoing pulmonary resection for lung cancer. ⋯ Continuous infusion of low-dose hANP during lung cancer surgery had a prophylactic effect on post-operative cardiopulmonary complications in elderly lung cancer patients. (