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 2014
Outcomes after implantation of 139 full-support continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices as a bridge to transplantation.
Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are a routine treatment for patients with advanced heart failure as a bridge to transplantation. The aim of this study was to present our institutional experience and mid-term outcomes after implantation of 139 continuous-flow (cf) LVADs as a bridge to transplantation. ⋯ HM II and HeartWare cfLVADs have excellent early postoperative outcomes and good mid-term survival, despite a considerable number of patients needing VAD exchange.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Nov 2014
B-type natriuretic peptide following thoracic surgery: a predictor of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications.
B-type natriuretic peptides (BNPs) are secreted by the human heart in response to ventricular wall stretch or myocardial ischaemia, and predict adverse cardiovascular events and death in the general population. Following non-cardiac surgical procedures, there is growing evidence supporting BNP measurement as a powerful independent predictor of death and perioperative complications. However, the clinical implication of elevated BNP measurements after pulmonary resection has not been completely defined. This study aimed to evaluate the role of BNP in predicting adverse cardiopulmonary events after thoracic surgery. ⋯ Our results show that BNP elevation, measured in the first days after thoracic surgery, is independently associated with postoperative adverse events. In patients undergoing major pulmonary resections, a postoperative BNP elevation is the strongest independent predictor of cardiopulmonary complications.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Nov 2014
Editorial CommentTowards a better understanding of ex vivo lung perfusion.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Nov 2014
ReviewEx vivo lung perfusion in clinical lung transplantation--state of the art.
Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) has emerged as a new technique for assessing and potentially reconditioning human donor lungs previously unacceptable for clinical transplantation with the potential to dramatically push the limits of organ acceptability. With the recent introduction of portable EVLP, a new era in lung preservation may be upon us with the opportunity to also limit organ ischaemic times and potentially improve the outcome of donor lungs already deemed acceptable for transplantation. It took over half a century for the technique to evolve from basic theory to semi-automated circuits fit for clinical use that are now rapidly being adopted in transplant centres across the globe. With this field in constant evolution and many unanswered questions remaining, our review serves as an update on the state of the art of EVLP in clinical lung transplantation.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Nov 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialSimultaneous hybrid carotid stenting and coronary bypass surgery versus concomitant open carotid and coronary bypass surgery: a pilot, feasibility study.
Concomitant carotid and cardiac surgery carries an increased perioperative morbidity and mortality risk. Whether the hybrid procedure of carotid artery stenting (CAS) and coronary bypass surgery decreases the risk of stroke and other complications is still unknown. The aim of this study was to assess early outcomes after simultaneous hybrid CAS and coronary bypass grafting versus open concomitant carotid and coronary bypass surgery. ⋯ Although limited by a small sample size, our results show that the hybrid procedure of carotid stenting and coronary surgery might be a good therapeutic option but further extended studies are needed to assess its real value.