The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Dec 2014
EditorialMedicine without teamwork: A deadly sin or a common practice?
This article has been withdrawn at the request of the author(s) and/or editor. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Dec 2014
Comparative StudyHypothermia and operative mortality during on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.
Controversy surrounds the effect of hypothermia on operative mortality during cardiac surgery. The present study accessed a large clinical database of coronary artery bypass graft operations to address the issue. ⋯ Most patients receive hypothermia during on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Hypothermia is protective against operative mortality compared with normothermia in such patients. Moderate hypothermia does not provide additional survival benefit.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Dec 2014
Observational StudyAssessment of platelet function with light transmission aggregometry in 24 patients supported with a continuous-flow left ventricular assist device: a single-center experience.
This study evaluated platelet function for an extended period of time in patients with a HeartMate II continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (Thoratec Corporation, Pleasanton, Calif) with light transmission aggregometry and investigated the potential role of this test in clinical management. ⋯ High platelet reactivity during treatment with aspirin is common in patients with a HeartMate II. Moreover, light transmission aggregometry may detect impaired ristocetin-induced platelet agglutination, enabling dosage of aspirin to be adjusted. Our strategy showed no major improvements in terms of thrombosis rate when compared with published data, although bleeding frequency was somewhat reduced. Benefits of light transmission aggregometry testing need to be assessed in a larger randomized study with a longer follow-up.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Dec 2014
Comparative Study Observational StudyGuidance for the use of bilateral internal thoracic arteries according to survival benefit across age groups.
Increasing evidence from observational cohort studies supports a survival advantage from bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) relative to single internal thoracic artery (SITA) grafts in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Whether the survival benefit from BITA is related to patient age and any potential age cutoff for the loss of survival benefit from BITA remain to be determined. ⋯ This study provides robust scientific evidence for the loss of survival benefit from BITA for patients older than 69 years.