The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Dec 2015
National evaluation of hospital readmission after pulmonary resection.
Our objectives were to (1) assess readmission rates and timing after pulmonary resection, (2) report the most common reasons for rehospitalization, and (3) identify risk factors for unplanned readmission after pulmonary resection. ⋯ Experiencing a postoperative complication was strongly associated with unplanned readmission. Increased attention toward reducing postoperative complications and earlier outpatient follow-up in these patients may be a viable strategy for decreasing readmissions after pulmonary resection.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Dec 2015
High sensitivity for lung cancer detection using analysis of exhaled carbonyl compounds.
Several volatile carbonyl compounds in exhaled breath have been identified as cancer-specific markers. The potential for these markers to serve as a screening test for lung cancer is reported. ⋯ Screening using a low-dose CT scan is associated with high cost, repeated radiation exposure, and low accrual. The high sensitivity, convenience, and low cost of breath analysis for carbonyl cancer markers suggests that it has the potential to become a primary screening modality for lung cancer.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Dec 2015
Editorial CommentLung cancer screening: Dollars and scents.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Dec 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialPropofol cardioplegia: A single-center, placebo-controlled, randomized controlled trial.
Cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegic arrest is an effective treatment for coronary artery and aortic valve diseases. However, the myocardium sustains reperfusion injury after ischemic cardioplegic arrest. Our objective was to assess the benefits of supplementing cardioplegia solution with the general anesthetic propofol in patients undergoing either coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or aortic valve replacement (AVR). ⋯ Propofol supplementation in cardioplegia appears to be cardioprotective. Its influence on early clinical outcomes may differ between CABG and AVR surgery. A larger, multicenter study is needed to confirm or refute these suggestions.