The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Aug 2013
Clinical and echocardiographic outcomes after surgery for severe isolated tricuspid regurgitation.
Few studies have investigated the outcomes after surgical correction of severe isolated tricuspid regurgitation. ⋯ In the present cohort, preoperative anemia, renal/hepatic dysfunction, right ventricular dilatation, and significant postoperative tricuspid regurgitation were associated with poor outcomes. Timely surgery is advisable in patients with severe isolated tricuspid regurgitation before the development of anemia, organ dysfunction, or right ventricular dilatation.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Aug 2013
Characterizing peritoneal dialysis catheter use in pediatric patients after cardiac surgery.
Children who undergo cardiac surgery are at high risk for renal insufficiency and abdominal compartment syndrome. Peritoneal dialysis catheter (PDC) implantation is used in this population for abdominal decompression and access for dialysis. However, there is no consensus regarding PDC use, and the practice varies widely. This study was undertaken to assess associated factors, outcomes, and variability in the use of PDC in patients who have undergone cardiac surgery. ⋯ Patients receiving PDC after cardiac surgery had 20% mortality, which remained 12% after excluding patients with acute renal failure. Given the variability in PDC use and poor outcomes, further research is needed to assess the possible benefit of earlier intervention for peritoneal access in this high-risk cohort.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Aug 2013
Cardiac transplantation can be safely performed using selected diabetic donors.
Cardiac transplantation (OHT) using diabetic donors (DDs) is thought to adversely influence survival. We attempt to determine if adult OHT can be safely performed using selected DDs. ⋯ OHT can be safely performed using selected DDs. Consensus criteria for acceptable cardiac donors can likely be revised to include selected DDs.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Aug 2013
Comparative StudyExperimental noninferiority trial of synthetic small-caliber biodegradable versus stable vascular grafts.
Long-term evolution of polycaprolactone vascular prostheses has been investigated recently. The goal of this study was to evidence a noninferiority of such grafts compared with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) implants in an aortic replacement model in the rat. ⋯ Outcomes of synthetic biodegradable nanofiber polycaprolactone grafts are not inferior compared with the clinically used expanded polytetrafluoroethylene grafts after long-term implantation in the rat aorta. Moreover, these implants show better patency, compliance, endothelialization, and cell in-growth, and less intimal hyperplasia and calcification than their counterparts.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Aug 2013
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyIs there any benefit in using awake anesthesia with thoracic epidural in thoracoscopic talc pleurodesis?