European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · May 2010
Clinical TrialA combined approach of endobronchial and endoscopic ultrasound-guided needle aspiration in the radiologically normal mediastinum in non-small-cell lung cancer staging--a prospective trial.
This prospective study aimed to assess the diagnostic yield of the combined approach - endobronchial (EBUS) and endoscopic (EUS) ultrasound-guided needle aspiration (combined ultrasound-needle aspiration (CUS-NA)) in the radiologically normal mediastinum in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) staging. ⋯ In the radiologically normal mediastinum, CUS-NA is a highly effective and safe technique in NSCLC staging and, if negative, a surgical diagnostic exploration of the mediastinum may be omitted.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · May 2010
Evaluation of the utility of vibration response imaging device and Operation Planning Software in the assessment of patients before lung resection surgery.
A variety of methods have been used to evaluate patients with lung cancer to define a patient cohort at high risk for postoperative mortality and respiratory complications associated with lung resection surgery. Our aim was to evaluate the utility of vibration response imaging (VRI(XP)) Operation Planning Software (O-Plan) in assessing suitability for surgical resection and for the prediction of postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1s (ppoFEV(1)). ⋯ VRI(XP) O-Plan has shown high accuracy in predicting postoperative FEV(1) after lung resection surgery. Given its simplicity of operation and the non-invasive nature of VRI(XP) and O-Plan, it could be a good alternative to perfusion scan in pre-surgery assessment.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · May 2010
Modification of the Ross aortic valve replacement to prevent late autograft dilatation.
Aortic root dilatation with and without aortic regurgitation is seen in up to 20% of patients undergoing a Ross aortic root replacement at late follow-up. We present our early experience with reduction annuloplasty combined with prosthetic Dacron graft replacement of the aorta above the autograft to prevent late dilation after a Ross aortic root replacement. ⋯ Ross aortic root replacement combined with reduction annuloplasty and Dacron graft replacement of the ascending aorta demonstrated excellent early- to mid-term results in patients with bicuspid aortic valve and dilatation of the ascending aorta. Continued use and long-term follow-up imaging is necessary to further demonstrate the value of this technical modification.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · May 2010
Long-term outcomes after surgery for rheumatic mitral valve disease: valve repair versus mechanical valve replacement.
Although mitral valve (MV) repair is known to be superior to replacement in overall clinical outcomes, the appropriateness of valve repair for rheumatic MV disease remains controversial because of the risks of recurrent mitral dysfunction and the need for re-operation. ⋯ When performed for selected patients, MV repair had excellent durability comparable to mechanical valve replacement in rheumatic disease. Both MV repair and replacement had comparable long-term clinical results; therefore, repair surgery seems to be more beneficial by avoiding troublesome life-long anticoagulation and risks of bleeding.