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 2003
Comparative StudyPrognostic value of visceral pleura invasion in non-small cell lung cancer.
The purpose of this study was to clarify the prognostic significance of visceral pleura invasion in T2 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). ⋯ We were able to demonstrate that visceral pleura invasion was a factor of poor prognosis in T2 NSCLC. It was found to correlate with more extensive mediastinal lymph node involvement and a decreased survival rates. Therefore, the patients with visceral pleura invasion should be closely followed up especially.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jun 2003
Reoperation after fresh homograft replacement: 23 years' experience with 655 patients.
Through a retrospective study on the use of fresh homografts in 655 aortic valve replacement patients over a period of 23 years, we aimed to assess the reasons for eventual reoperation and causes of valve dysfunction. ⋯ The results of the study suggest that reoperation in patients with aortic homografts is a low-risk procedure as compared to alternative therapies. Primary allograft aortic valve replacement can give acceptable results for up to 23 years. The major cause of valve dysfunction and indication for reoperation was degeneration. Cumulative rates for freedom from reoperation for any cause in age groups suggest careful selection and indications in homograft implantation in the younger patients. Young age is a risk factor for an early homograft structural deterioration (degeneration).
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jun 2003
Thoracic firearm injuries in children: management and analysis of prognostic factors.
Thoracic firearm injuries (TFI) have become increasingly prevalent in children. Our purpose is to assess the injury pattern, Injury Severity Score (ISS), length of hospital stay (LOS), management and outcome of children with TFI with respect to the type of injury and to evaluate the value of ISS for predicting injury severity and the eventual need for thoracotomy, as well as the rate of morbidity and mortality. ⋯ The majority of TFI in children can be treated successfully by tube thoracostomy if there are no gross pulmonary lacerations and airway injuries. SGW and EW were commonly associated with higher ISS and LOS. The ISS was found to be an independent predictor of the need for thoracotomy, as well as for rates of morbidity and mortality.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jun 2003
Cardioplegic arrest induces apoptosis signal-pathway in myocardial endothelial cells and cardiac myocytes.
Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion is associated with free radical-mediated injury and may be involved in cardiac apoptosis. The purpose of our study was to investigate (1) if cardioplegia-induced ischemia-reperfusion initiates cardiac apoptosis signal pathway, and (2) if this is mediated by free radicals. ⋯ Our data show that CA initiates apoptosis signal-pathway in myocardial endothelium and myocytes; however, this did not result in apoptotic cell death as we did not find PARP cleavage. Further, the data suggest that CA-induced apoptosis signal pathway activation is not mediated by free radicals as caspase-3 activation preceded both nitrotyrosine and 8-iso-prostaglandin-F(2)alpha formation.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · May 2003
Increasing experience with integrated approach to pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries.
To validate the preliminary surgical results of 'integrated approach' to pulmonary atresia, ventricular septal defect (VSD), and multiple aortopulmonary collateral arteries by retrospective analysis of our center experience. ⋯ Increasing experience with 'integrated approach' to pulmonary atresia, VSD, and multiple aortopulmonaty collaterals has confirmed the preliminary results of our surgical series. The pulmonary flow study remains the most accurate intraoperative test for successful management of VSD during unifocalization procedures