The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Nov 2013
Case Reports Comparative StudyVirtual endobronchial ultrasound for transbronchial needle aspiration.
Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration could be performed better with computer-based preparation. ⋯ Both computer-based preparation methods of virtual endobronchial ultrasound were useful in predetermining the puncture spot of transbronchial needle aspiration, suggesting their potential complementary role to the conventional technique of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Nov 2013
Mild-to-moderate functional tricuspid regurgitation in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery.
The decision to repair mild-to-moderate functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) during mitral valve surgery remains controversial. We evaluated the effects of tricuspid valve (TV) repair for functional mild-to-moderate TR during mitral valve surgery. ⋯ Early or late clinical benefits of concomitant TV repair for mild-to-moderate TR during mitral valve surgery were uncertain through a long-term follow-up of 959 patients. Several preoperative factors and the performance of Maze procedure for AF seem to be more important than TV repair in overall clinical outcomes.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Nov 2013
Aortic root conservative repair of acute type A aortic dissection involving the aortic root: fate of the aortic root and aortic valve function.
Despite many studies about aortic valve function and aortic root geometry after conservative aortic root repair of acute type A aortic dissection, the results are not always consistent or conclusive. This study aims to evaluate aortic root diameter and aortic valve function after surgery for acute type A aortic dissection involving the aortic root. ⋯ Conservative aortic root repair of acute type A aortic dissection demonstrates acceptable long-term clinical outcomes. However, more aggressive approaches should be considered for patients who have aortic root dilatation because of the risk of developing a root aneurysm after surgery.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Nov 2013
Rapid 2-stage Norwood I for high-risk hypoplastic left heart syndrome and variants.
Preoperative comorbidities (PCMs) are known risk factors for Norwood stage I (NW1). We tested the hypothesis that short-term bilateral pulmonary arterial banding (bPAB) before NW1 could improve the prognosis of these high-risk patients. ⋯ Optimizing the balance between the pulmonary and systemic blood flow with a short period of bPAB and ductal patency can improve the perioperative conditions of high-risk patients before NW1. Those who survived bPAB and underwent NW1 had early mortality and 1-year survival comparable to the standard risk category, despite the severity of their initial condition. A rapid 2-stage NW1 strategy with bPAB and prostaglandin to maintain ductal patency can avoid the risks of suboptimal palliation and vascular injuries associated with hybrid procedures.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Nov 2013
Prevention of retrosternal adhesion by novel biocompatible glue derived from food additives.
Postoperative retrosternal adhesion increases the risk of cardiac injury during cardiac reoperation. We created a novel biodegradable glue called "Lydex" that is derived from food additives. The purpose of this study is to evaluate this new biomaterial's biocompatibility and its preventive effect on retrosternal adhesion. ⋯ Our findings indicate that Lydex reduces retrosternal adhesion and attenuates the progression of fibrosis with excellent biocompatibility. Lydex is a next-generation substance for safer cardiac reoperation, with excellent capability for preventing adhesion, biocompatible and biodegradable properties, and lower potential for viral infections related to human plasma or other animal-derived products.