The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Aug 2021
Cell-free DNA in human ex vivo lung perfusate as a potential biomarker to predict the risk of primary graft dysfunction in lung transplantation.
Cell-free DNA (cfDNA), such as mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA (nuDNA), are known to be released from injured cells and as such have been explored as biomarkers for tissue injury in different clinical settings. Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) has been developed as an effective technique for marginal donor lung functional assessment. We hypothesized that the level of cfDNA in EVLP perfusate may reflect tissue injury and thus can be developed as a biomarker to quantify the degree of donor lung injury or predict the development of primary graft dysfunction (PGD) after lung transplantation (LTx). ⋯ We found that the amount of cfDNA, especially nuDNA, in EVLP perfusate was higher in the severe PGD group (PGD3) compared with the non-PGD group. This proof-of-concept study supports the concept that the analysis of cfDNA levels in EVLP perfusate can help estimate the damage to donor lungs before implantation. Larger studies are needed to validate this concept.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Aug 2021
Comparative Study Observational StudyFast-track extubation after cardiac surgery in infants: Tug-of-war between performance and reimbursement?
To compare the safety and resource-efficacy of the fast-track (FT) concept (extubation ≤8 hours after surgery) versus the conventional approach (non-FT, >8 hours postoperatively) in infants undergoing open-heart surgery. ⋯ FT concept can be performed safely and resource-effectively in infants undergoing open-heart surgery. Since German diagnosis-related group systems reimburse costs, not performance, there is little incentive to avoid prolonged mechanical ventilation. Greater ICU turnover rates and excellent postoperative outcomes are not rewarded adequately.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Aug 2021
Risk factors and progression of systolic anterior motion after mitral valve repair.
The phenomenon of systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the mitral valve (MV) was discovered 50 years ago, but to date only a few studies have identified risk factors for SAM following mitral repair. There are limited data on the necessity of surgical reintervention on the MV once SAM is discovered by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography. We sought to identify predictors of SAM in a large cohort of consecutive patients, assess the rate of early reintervention on the MV to address SAM, and follow the progression of SAM postdischarge. ⋯ Transesophageal echocardiography findings associated with SAM were excessive height of posterior to anterior mitral leaflet, smaller left ventricular end-systolic volume, and bileaflet prolapse. Conservative management of SAM was usually successful, and persistent hemodynamically significant SAM was uncommon. Prophylactic modification of the surgical technique to avoid SAM seems unnecessary for all but those at highest risk for developing SAM.