European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jul 2014
Outcomes in patients requiring mechanical ventilation following pneumonectomy.
The aim of this study was to clarify the outcomes of patients who require post-pneumonectomy mechanical ventilation (PPMV). ⋯ Our findings suggest that continued PPMV patients may have a rate of weaning at hospital dismissal and OS comparable to reintubated PPMV patients. A lower fraction of inhaled oxygen and less positive fluid balance may be favoured managements in reintubated PPMV patients.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jul 2014
Surgical revision after percutaneous mitral valve repair by edge-to-edge device: when the strategy fails in the highest risk surgical population.
Percutaneous edge-to-edge devices for non-surgical repair of mitral valve regurgitation are under clinical evaluation in high-risk patients deemed not suitable for conventional surgery. To address guidelines for initial therapy decision, we here report on 13 cases of surgery after failed percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral valve repair or attempted repair, and discuss methodology and prognostic factors for operative outcome in this high-risk situation. ⋯ Our series demonstrate that highest risk patients can survive mitral valve surgery after failed multiple edge-to-edge interventional mitral valve repair. As long-term results of the MitraClip therapy are pending, we recommend close meshed follow-up of patients treated with the MitraClip device, especially within the first year of the index procedure as delays in salvage management, interventional or surgical, when the index procedure fails may increase morbidity and mortality.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jul 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialPerioperative gabapentin for the prevention of persistent pain after thoracotomy: a randomized controlled trial.
To evaluate the effect of perioperative gabapentin treatment for the prevention of persistent post-thoracotomy pain and to establish whether gabapentin has a significant therapeutic impact on acute postoperative pain. ⋯ We found no evidence for the superiority of gabapentin over placebo for the treatment of acute pain following thoracotomy or for the prevention of persistent post-thoracotomy pain.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jul 2014
Acuity adaptable patient care unit system shortens length of stay and improves outcomes in adult cardiac surgery: University of Wisconsin experience.
The Acuity Adaptable Patient Care (AAC) unit system allows all beds within a nursing unit to negate the need for transfer with changes in patient status. The unit is specialty specific to all levels of patient care. This system was implemented in March 2006 for cardiothoracic surgery at our institution. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the AAC system on the outcomes after adult cardiac surgery. ⋯ The implementation of the AAC system has improved the outcomes after major cardiac procedures. The incidence of postoperative complications and length of stay have all decreased significantly without increasing readmission rate. AAC creates a system of fluid care with specialty-trained nursing and other ancillary support that expedites discharge and improves overall patient outcomes.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jul 2014
Comparative StudyIn-hospital mortality risk assessment in elective and non-elective cardiac surgery: a comparison between EuroSCORE II and age, creatinine, ejection fraction score.
Age, creatinine, ejection fraction (ACEF) score is a simplified algorithm for prediction of mortality after elective cardiac surgery. Although mainly conceived for elective cardiac surgery, no information is available on its performance in non-elective surgery and on comparison with the new EuroSCORE II. This study was undertaken to compare the performance of ACEF score and EuroSCORE II within classes of urgency. ⋯ This study demonstrated that the performance of ACEF score in predicting in-hospital mortality in elective and non-elective cardiac surgery is comparable. Nonetheless, it is not as satisfactory as the new EuroSCORE II, as its discrimination is significantly lower and it is also miscalibrated.