The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jun 2017
Antithrombin III is associated with acute liver failure in patients with end-stage heart failure undergoing mechanical circulatory support.
There are few data on the role of liver dysfunction in patients with end-stage heart failure supported by mechanical circulatory support. The aim of our study was to investigate predictors for acute liver failure in patients with end-stage heart failure undergoing mechanical circulatory support. ⋯ In addition to the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, decreased antithrombin III activity tends to be superior in predicting acute liver failure compared with traditionally thought predictors. Antithrombin III measurement may help to identify patients more precisely who are developing acute liver failure during mechanical circulatory support.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jun 2017
Observational StudyIndexed left atrial size predicts all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients undergoing aortic valve surgery.
The enlargement of the left atrium has been identified as a marker of chronically increased left ventricular filling pressure and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. This study aims to evaluate the association of indexed left atrial diameter with stroke, cardiovascular mortality, the combined event, and all-cause mortality in patients who underwent aortic valve surgery. ⋯ Indexed left atrial diameter is a strong predictor of long-term outcomes in patients with aortic valve diseases who undergo surgery.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jun 2017
WebcastsTotal cavopulmonary connection with a new bioabsorbable vascular graft: First clinical experience.
To assess safety and clinical performance of a novel bioabsorbable vascular graft in pediatric patients with univentricular cardiac malformation who received surgical correction via an extracardiac cavopulmonary conduit. ⋯ Initial clinical experience with a novel absorbable graft underlines the potential of this new material to improve cardiac and vascular surgical procedures. In addition, better biocompatibility may reduce permanent implant-related complications. A longer follow-up is needed to assess the long-term effectiveness of biodegradable vascular grafts, including their ability to grow.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jun 2017
Comparative StudyAortic shear stress in patients with bicuspid aortic valve with stenosis and insufficiency.
Bicuspid aortic valve, characterized by valve malformation and risk for aortopathy, displays profound alteration in systolic aortic outflow and wall shear stress distribution. The present study performed 4-dimensional flow magnetic resonance imaging in patients with bicuspid aortic valve with right-left cusp fusion, focusing on the impact of valve function on hemodynamic status within the ascending aorta. ⋯ The location of peak aortic wall shear stress and type of aortopathy remained homogeneous among patients with right-left bicuspid aortic valve irrespective of valve dysfunction. Severe aortic insufficiency or stenosis resulted in further elevated aortic wall shear stress and exaggerated flow eccentricity.