The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
-
J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Aug 2024
Outcomes of coronary artery obstructions after the arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries.
Coronary obstruction is a rare but common complication of the arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries. The majority of patients remain asymptomatic and no risk factors allow targeting for reinforced surveillance. We aim to review the natural history of patients diagnosed with coronary obstruction after arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries and occurrence of coronary-related outcomes. ⋯ Occurrence of stenosis-related events remains significant in patients after arterial switch operation, underlining the importance of early diagnosis for timely intervention. Initial anatomical evaluation identifies stenotic and at-risk patients; this will require periodical function testing. Follow-up modalities can be tailored to a patient's individual anatomic characteristics.
-
J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Aug 2024
Factor XII promotes the thromboinflammatory response in a rat model of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
Factor XII (FXII) is a multifunctional protease capable of activating thrombotic and inflammatory pathways. FXII has been linked to thrombosis in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), but the role of FXII in ECMO-induced inflammatory complications has not been studied. We used novel gene-targeted FXII- deficient rats to evaluate the role of FXII in ECMO-induced thromboinflammation. ⋯ FXII initiates hemostatic system activation and key inflammatory sequelae in ECMO, suggesting that therapies targeting FXII could limit both thromboembolism and inopportune inflammatory complications in this setting.