The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
-
J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Sep 2024
Late development of intra-atrial reentrant tachycardia in lateral tunnel Fontan patients and the preventive role of prophylactic cryoablation.
Intra-atrial reentrant tachycardia is an important late-onset complication in patients undergoing the Fontan procedure. However, the protective effects of prophylactic cryoablation against late-onset intra-atrial reentrant tachycardia are unclear. This study investigated the late development of intra-atrial reentrant tachycardia in patients undergoing the lateral tunnel Fontan procedure and the role of prophylactic cryoablation. ⋯ None of the patients who underwent prophylactic cryoablation developed late-onset intra-atrial reentrant tachycardia during a median follow-up time of 22.9 years. Our study demonstrated that prophylactic cryoablation was effective in preventing late-onset intra-atrial reentrant tachycardia and cardiovascular mortality in patients undergoing the lateral tunnel Fontan.
-
J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Sep 2024
Simulation-Based Design of Bicuspidization of the Aortic Valve.
Severe congenital aortic valve pathology in the growing patient remains a challenging clinical scenario. Bicuspidization of the diseased aortic valve has proven to be a promising repair technique with acceptable durability. However, most understanding of the procedure is empirical and retrospective. This work seeks to design the optimal gross morphology associated with surgical bicuspidization with simulations based on the hypothesis that modifications to the free edge length cause or relieve stenosis. ⋯ Free edge length 1.5d or greater was required to avoid aortic stenosis in simulations. Cases with free edge length 1.7d or greater showed excessive billow and other changes in gross morphology. Cases with free edge length 1.5d to 1.6d have a total free edge length approximately equal to the annular circumference and appeared optimal. These effects should be studied in vitro and in animal studies.
-
J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Sep 2024
Diagnosis and Surgical Management of Pericardial Constriction after Cardiac Surgery.
Previous cardiac surgery is an increasingly common etiology of constrictive pericarditis, but there is a paucity of data on clinical presentation and outcome of surgical treatment. ⋯ Pericardial constriction after cardiac surgery can present at any interval postoperatively. Symptoms and signs of right heart failure in patients with previous cardiac surgery should alert physicians to the possibility of pericardial constriction followed by a correct diagnosis. Pericardiectomy performed urgently following cardiac operation has poor long-term outcomes.
-
J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Sep 2024
Preoperative Predictors of Spread Through Air Spaces (STAS) in Lung Cancer.
Spread through air spaces (STAS) is a new histologic feature of invasion of non-small cell lung cancer that lacks sensitivity and specificity on frozen sections and is associated with higher recurrence and worse survival with sublobar resections. Our objective is to identify preoperative characteristics that are predictive of STAS to guide operative decisions. ⋯ Young age (50 years or younger), larger (≥2 cm) solid tumors, high maximum standardized uptake values, and presence of KRAS mutation, are risk factors for STAS and can be considered for lobectomy. Smoking status and gender are still controversial risk factors for STAS.
-
J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Sep 2024
Complication Rates Rise with Age and Haller Index in Minimal Invasive Correction of Pectus Excavatum: A High-volume Single-centre Retrospective Cohort Study.
The study objectives were to describe the compounded complication rate of minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum, identify predisposing risk factors, and evaluate the optimal timing of correction. Minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum is the standard treatment for pectus excavatum and consists of 2 invasive procedures, for example, correction with bar insertion followed by bar removal after 2 to 3 years. ⋯ Minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum is associated with a high compounded complication rate that increases exponentially with age and high Haller Index. Consequently, we recommend repair during late childhood and early adolescence, and emphasize the importance of informing patients and relatives about the significant risks of adult correction as well as the need of 2 consecutive procedures taking the complication profile into account before planning surgery.