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 2005
Use of intrapleural streptokinase in experimental minimal clotted hemothorax.
In clotted hemothorax, both thoracocentesis and closed tube thoracostomy will not be able to evacuate the pleural cavity especially if it is minimal. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of intrapleural administered streptokinase on minimal clotted hemothorax without drainage, in order to accelerate the spontaneous resolution and absorption in blunt thoracic trauma. ⋯ We conclude that intrapleural streptokinase increases resolution of clot in the pleural space and decreases pleural thickening and adhesion in experimental minimal clotted hemothorax in ewes. This study has also demonstrated that intrapleural streptokinase can be used without drainage. Use of intrapleural streptokinase without drainage can be a novel therapeutic option for trauma patients with minimal clotted hemothorax after haemorrhage of other organs was excluded.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Apr 2005
Catamenial pneumothorax: optimal hormonal and surgical management.
To provide further information addressing the etiology, optimal hormonal management and surgical management in catamenial pneumothorax (CP). ⋯ Catamenial pneumothorax is under appreciated, representing up to one-third of women with spontaneous pneumothorax. Hormonal agents that allow for menses are ineffective. Gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists should be considered as part of the pre-operative or post-operative management in high risk patients. Our findings suggest that an additional intervention to augment pleural symphysis at the level of the diaphragm should be performed.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Apr 2005
Comparative StudyA case-matched study of anatomical segmentectomy versus lobectomy for stage I lung cancer in high-risk patients.
Sublobar resections may offer a method of increasing resection rates in patients with lung cancer and poor lung function, but are thought to increase recurrence and therefore compromise survival for stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). To test this hypothesis we have compared the long-term outcome from lobectomy and anatomical segmentectomy in high-risk cases as defined by predicted postoperative FEV1 (ppoFEV1) less than 40%. ⋯ Anatomical segmentectomy allowed for surgical resection in patients with stage I NSCLC and impaired respiratory reserve without compromising oncological results but with preservation in respiratory function.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Apr 2005
Left ventricular function and chronotropic responses after normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass with intermittent antegrade warm blood cardioplegia in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.
Recent studies indicate that normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with intermittent antegrade warm blood cardioplegia (IAWBC) may have metabolic and clinical advantages, but limited data exist on its effects on myocardial function. Therefore, we investigated the acute effects of this approach on systolic and diastolic left ventricular function and on chronotropic responses. ⋯ On-pump normothermic CABG with IAWBC preserved systolic function, increased diastolic stiffness, and improved systolic and diastolic chronotropic responses. Normalization of the chronotropic responses post-CPB is likely due to effects of successful revascularization and subsequent relief of ischemia.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Apr 2005
Aortic root substitution after aortic valve replacement: a prosthesis-sparing operation.
Patients who underwent isolated aortic valve replacement could come to attention for new onset aortic disease or progression of borderline alterations not corrected at the first operation, especially in the subset of bicuspid valve disease. We describe our technique in redo operations for aortic root disease, using only a vascular graft and sparing the previously implanted valve prosthesis. In case of normally functioning mechanical prosthesis, we always left the valve in situ and substituted the aortic root with a Dacron conduit, extending the replacement if necessary to the other diseased portions of the thoracic aorta.