Journal of cardiac surgery
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Predictive models for the length of stay (LOS) in the intensive care unit (ICU) following cardiac surgery have been developed in the last decade. These risk models use different endpoint and risk factor definitions. This review discusses the need for a uniform multi-institutional risk scoring system for a prolonged ICU LOS. ⋯ There is a need for the development of a multi-institutional risk scoring system for prolonged ICU LOS following cardiac surgery. This predictive model could aid in quality assessment, practice improvement, patient counseling, and decision making. In order to develop this risk model, uniformed and standardized definitions are needed.
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We treated a 61-year-old woman with mitral stenosis caused by pannus formation after Duran ring annuloplasty. Pannus overgrowth on the ring with extension onto both leaflets narrowed the mitral orifice and severely restricted the mobility of the valve leaflets. ⋯ Jude Medical mechanical heart valve prosthesis was successfully performed, and the postoperative course was uneventful. Patients undergoing Duran ring annuloplasty should be followed up with the consideration of possible mitral stenosis caused by pannus extension, as the cause for pannus formation remains unclear.
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Case Reports
Traumatic chylothorax following blunt thoracic trauma: two conservatively treated cases.
Chylothorax is rare following blunt thoracic trauma; its diagnosis is usually delayed until the puncture or drainage of posttraumatic pleural effusion and its cause is not clear. Mostly, it is attributed to injury or overstretching of major thoracic duct by fractures or other injury of neighboring thoracic spine. ⋯ Both cases were successfully treated after 16 and 23 days, respectively, with drainage, starvation, reexpansion of the lung(-s), and total parenteral nutrition. We believe that with the "triad of RST" ("reexpansion, starvation diet, TPN"), conservative treatment will be successful in the majority of cases.
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Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is a mechanical circulatory support indicated for the advanced treatment of refractory heart failure. The cannulation of the femoral vessels may be complicated by distal limb ischemia by arterial hypoperfusion and severe edema by venous obstruction. We describe a modified cannulation technique in order to prevent ischemia and edema of the inferior limb during VA-ECMO.