The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Aug 2020
Comparative StudyClamping versus nonclamping thoracoscopic box ablation in long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation.
To compare clinical outcomes of clamping devices and linear nonclamping devices for isolation of the posterior left atrium (box) in thoracoscopic ablation of long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation. ⋯ Thoracoscopic pulmonary vein and box isolation are highly effective in restoring sinus rhythm in long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation on short-term follow-up. Comparison of clamping and nonclamping devices revealed lower rates of intraoperative exit block of the box in the nonclamping group. However, this did not translate into a significant difference in atrial fibrillation freedom at short-term (1-year) follow-up.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Aug 2020
Practice GuidelineAdult cardiac surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic: A tiered patient triage guidance statement.
In the setting of the current novel coronavirus pandemic, this document has been generated to provide guiding statements for the adult cardiac surgeon to consider in a rapidly evolving national landscape. Acknowledging the risk for a potentially prolonged need for cardiac surgery procedure deferral, we have created this proposed template for physicians and interdisciplinary teams to consider in protecting their patients, institution, and their highly specialized cardiac surgery team. In addition, recommendations on the transition from traditional in-person patient assessments and outpatient follow-up are provided. Lastly, we advocate that cardiac surgeons must continue to serve as leaders, experts, and relevant members of our medical community, shifting our role as necessary in this time of need.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Aug 2020
Multicenter StudyDoes [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography have a role in cervical nodal staging for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma?
Accurate nodal staging is crucial for esophageal cancer. A prospective study was performed to assess the value of [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) for diagnosing cervical lymph node metastasis (LNM) of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. ⋯ For cervical LNM of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, FDG-PET/CT scanning exhibited high specificity but low sensitivity, suggesting that it is of limited value for this purpose.