The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Mar 2021
Observational StudyRelation between functional coronary artery stenosis and graft occlusion after coronary artery bypass grafting.
This study was conducted to evaluate graft patency rates during the 5 years after coronary artery bypass grafting according to the functional significance of the coronary artery stenosis, as determined by myocardial single-photon-emission computed tomography. ⋯ Graft occlusion during the 5 years after coronary artery bypass grafting was associated with the functional significance of coronary artery stenosis, particularly when the stenosis degree was not severe.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Mar 2021
Comparative StudyLooking beyond the eyeball test: A novel vitality index to predict recovery after esophagectomy.
To (1) measure 4 physiologic metrics before esophagectomy, (2) use these in an index to predict composite postoperative outcome after esophagectomy, and (3) compare predictive accuracy of this index to that of the Fried Frailty Index and Modified Frailty Index. ⋯ The Esophageal Vitality Index, an objective, simple assessment consisting of grip strength, 30-second chair sit-stands, 6-minute walk, and psoas muscle area to height ratio outperformed commonly used frailty indexes in predicting postesophagectomy mortality and morbidity. The index provides a robust picture of patients' fitness for surgery beyond the qualitative "eyeball" test.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Mar 2021
Comparative StudyAssociation between coronary artery bypass graft center volume and year-to-year outcome variability: New York and California statewide analysis.
We evaluated whether volume-based, rather than time-based, annual reporting of center outcomes for coronary artery bypass grafting may improve inference of quality, assuming that large center-level year-to-year outcome variability is related to statistical noise. ⋯ Center-level, risk-adjusted coronary artery bypass grafting mortality varies significantly from one year to the next. Reporting outcomes by specific case volume may complement annual reports.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Mar 2021
Comparative StudyGender representation among leadership at national and regional cardiothoracic surgery organizational annual meetings.
Increased attention has been dedicated to gender inequity at scientific meetings. This study evaluated the gender distribution of session leaders at cardiothoracic surgery national and regional meetings. ⋯ Women remain underrepresented in leadership roles at cardiothoracic surgery organizational meetings. This may deter female applicants and has implications for female surgeons' career trajectories; therefore, attention must be given to the potential for unconscious bias in leadership in cardiothoracic surgery.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Mar 2021
Does ablation of atrial fibrillation at the time of septal myectomy improve survival of patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?
To evaluate the outcomes after septal myectomy in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy according to atrial fibrillation and surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation. ⋯ Atrial fibrillation is present preoperatively in one-fifth of patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy undergoing myectomy and showed a trend toward higher all-cause mortality. Survival of patients undergoing septal myectomy with preoperative atrial fibrillation was similar between those who did and did not receive concomitant surgical ablation.