The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Oct 2014
Multicenter StudyPractice patterns of academic general thoracic and adult cardiac surgeons.
We hypothesized that academic adult cardiac surgeons (CSs) and general thoracic surgeons (GTSs) would have distinct practice patterns of, not just case-mix, but also time devoted to outpatient care, involvement in critical care, and work relative value unit (wRVU) generation for the procedures they perform. ⋯ Academic CSs and GTSs have distinct practice patterns. CSs receive greater reimbursement for services because of the greater wRVUs of the procedures performed compared with GTSs, and evaluation and management coding is a more important wRVU generator for GTSs. The results of our study could guide academic CS and GTS practice structure and time prioritization.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Oct 2014
Comparative StudyPalliative pulmonary artery banding versus anatomic correction for congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries with regressed morphologic left ventricle: long-term results from a single center.
We aimed to compare the long-term results between palliative pulmonary artery banding and anatomic correction for congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries with regressed morphologic left ventricle. ⋯ In patients with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries with deconditioned morphologic left ventricle pulmonary artery banding may be considered an ideal procedure because it allows left ventricle training while improving tricuspid regurgitation. Compared with the double-switch procedure after pulmonary artery banding, prolonged palliative pulmonary artery banding provided a lower mortality rate and indicated better cardiac function.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Oct 2014
A clinicopathologic prediction model for postoperative recurrence in stage Ia non-small cell lung cancer.
Controversy remains over the appropriate postoperative management for patients with stage Ia non-small cell lung cancer who underwent complete surgical resection as a result of a heterogeneous prognosis. We aimed to identify the predictive factors for recurrence in these patients to aid in the decision making. ⋯ We developed a clinicopathologic prediction model for postoperative recurrence in stage Ia non-small cell lung cancer. This model can help with the selection of appropriate postoperative therapeutic strategies for these patients.