The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Aug 2024
A National Survey of Occupational Musculoskeletal Injuries in Cardiothoracic Surgeons.
There is growing concern that surgeons are at increased risk for work-related orthopedic injuries due to poor ergonomics. We conducted a survey of North American cardiothoracic surgeons to evaluate the prevalence of occupational injury, as well as perceptions and use of ergonomic techniques. ⋯ In this survey analysis, cardiothoracic surgeons reported experiencing work-related orthopedic injuries at an alarmingly high rate, leading to significant time away from work and for many to retire from surgery over a decade early. These findings underline a critical need for institutions to prioritize ergonomics education and implement ergonomics-directed techniques in the operating room and office.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Aug 2024
Aortic valve regurgitation following transaortic septal myectomy for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Incidence and influence on late outcomes.
In this study, we describe the incidence, sites of valve injury, and the influence of aortic valve regurgitation (AR) on outcomes of septal myectomy for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. ⋯ Procedure-related AR was observed in 2% of patients undergoing transaortic septal myectomy, and unplanned AV procedures were necessary for half of these patients. Intraoperative identification and valve repair mitigate the impact of cusp injury on late reintervention and survival.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Aug 2024
The association between preoperative multidisciplinary team care and patient outcome in frail cardiac surgery patients.
To evaluate the influence of preoperative multidisciplinary team (MDT) care on perioperative management and outcomes of frail patients undergoing cardiac surgery. ⋯ Preoperative MDT care for frail patients undergoing cardiac surgery is associated with alterations in surgical management and with a lower risk for severe complications.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Aug 2024
Magnetic resonance imaging-based hemodynamic wall shear stress alters aortic wall tissue biomechanics in bicuspid aortic valve patients.
In this study we aimed to conclusively determine whether altered aortic biomechanics are associated with wall shear stress (WSS) independent of region of tissue collection. Elevated WSS in the ascending aorta of patients with bicuspid aortic valve has been shown to contribute to local maladaptive aortic remodeling and might alter biomechanics. ⋯ This study shows strong evidence that biomechanical changes in the aorta are strongly associated with hemodynamics, and not region of tissue collection for bicuspid valve aortopathy patients. Elevated WSS is associated with tissue behavior at low stretch ranges (ie, LTM and TZo).
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Aug 2024
Four Decades of Progress in Heart-Lung Transplantation: 271 Cases at a Single Institution.
The objective of this study is to evaluate survival for combined heart-lung transplant (HLTx) recipients across 4 decades at a single institution. We aim to summarize our contemporary practice based on more than 271 HLTx procedures over 40 years. ⋯ Long-term survival in HLTx is achievable with institutional experience and may continue to improve in the coming decades. Advances in mechanical circulatory support, improved maintenance immunosuppression, and early recognition and management of acute complications such as primary graft dysfunction and acute rejection have dramatically improved the prognosis for recipients of HLTx in our contemporary institutional experience.