European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Nov 2009
Aprotinin in cardiac surgery patients: is the risk worth the benefit?
Aprotinin is the only Food and Drug Administration-approved agent to reduce haemorrhage related to cardiac surgery and its safety and efficacy has been extensively studied. Our study sought to compare the efficacy, early and late mortality and major morbidity associated with aprotinin compared with e-aminocaproic acid (EACA) in cardiac surgery operations. ⋯ Aprotinin decreases the rate of postoperative blood transfusion and haemorrhage-related re-exploration, but increases the risk of in-hospital cardiac arrest and late mortality after cardiac surgery when compared to EACA. Cumulative evidence suggests that the risk associated with aprotinin may not be worth the haemostatic benefit.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Nov 2009
An initial evaluation of post-cardiopulmonary bypass acute kidney injury in swine.
Acute kidney injury (AKI) post-cardiac surgery is associated with mortality rates approaching 20%. The development of effective treatments is hindered by the poor homology between rodent models, the mainstay of research into AKI, and that which occurs in humans. This pilot study aims to characterise post-cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) AKI in an animal model with potentially greater homology to cardiac surgery patients. ⋯ The porcine model of post-CPB AKI shows significant homology to AKI in cardiac surgical patients. It links functional, urinary and histological measures of kidney injury and may offer novel insights into the mechanisms underlying post-CPB AKI.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Nov 2009
Multicenter StudyAn adjusted EuroSCORE model for high-risk cardiac patients.
To verify the accuracy and precision of the logistic European system for cardiac operative risk evaluation (EuroSCORE) in high-risk cardiac surgery patients and to develop and externally validate a new system of recalibration. ⋯ Recalibration of the logistic EuroSCORE in high-risk patients is needed due to its tendency to overestimate the mortality risk. The application of a variable correction factor results in a better performance, increased precision, with unaltered balanced accuracy.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Nov 2009
Fast-track video-assisted bullectomy and pleurectomy for pneumothorax: initial experience and description of technique.
Pleurectomy+/-bullectomy by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is an established surgical procedure for pneumothorax. Early ambulation and discharge should be a reasonable goal. This study explores the feasibility of day-case surgery and identifies the obstacles requiring further work to facilitate day-case pneumothorax surgery. ⋯ We have shown early discharge with ongoing ambulatory drainage following VATS pleurectomy+/-bullectomy in patients with primary pneumothorax to be feasible with paravertebral in the theatre and rapid conversion to oral analgesia. Patients managed intercostal drains at home. Limiting factors such as postoperative nausea and pain control usually can be sufficiently managed in the outpatient. Shorter stays may have a beneficial financial result. Long-term follow-up and a quantification of the patients experience is warranted.