The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Feb 2025
Utility of Structured Follow-up Imaging after Aortic Surgery.
Although postoperative follow-up after aortic surgery is recommended by guidelines, its clinical utility is not well documented. We hypothesized that structured follow-up imaging by an aortic program would improve outcomes. We then documented radiologic findings on asymptomatic postoperative imaging. ⋯ Implementation of structured follow-up imaging by an aortic program resulted in low clinical compliance. Follow-up was associated with increased rates of aortic reintervention. Clinically relevant radiologic findings were common on asymptomatic imaging and increased throughout 5-year follow-up rather than plateauing in the early postoperative period.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Feb 2025
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyEfficacy and safety of macitentan in Fontan-palliated patients: 52-week randomized, placebo-controlled RUBATO phase 3 trial and open-label extension.
The efficacy and safety of macitentan, an endothelin receptor antagonist, were assessed in a 52-week, prospective, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study assessing the efficacy and safety of macitentan in Fontan-palliated adult and adolescent patients (RUBATO-DB) and an open-label extension trial (RUBATO-OL). ⋯ The primary end point of RUBATO-DB was not met; macitentan did not improve exercise capacity versus placebo in patients with Fontan palliation. Macitentan was generally well tolerated over long-term treatment.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Feb 2025
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyEvaluation of sex differences in the receipt of concomitant atrial fibrillation procedures during non-mitral cardiac surgery.
Women are less likely to receive guideline-recommended cardiovascular care, but evaluation of sex-based disparities in cardiac surgical procedures is limited. Receipt of concomitant atrial fibrillation (AF) procedures during nonmitral cardiac surgery was compared by sex for patients with preoperative AF. ⋯ Women are less likely to receive guideline recommended concomitant AF procedure during nonmitral surgery. Identification of barriers to concomitant AF procedure in women may improve treatment of AF.