The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · May 2013
Comparative StudyNational perioperative outcomes of pulmonary lobectomy for cancer in the obese patient: a propensity score matched analysis.
Obesity in the United States is a growing epidemic that results in challenging patients with complicated comorbidities. We sought to compare hospital outcomes of obese patients with those of nonobese patients undergoing pulmonary lobectomy for cancer. ⋯ Obese patients have an increased risk for postoperative pulmonary complications but not other morbidity, mortality, or prolonged hospital length of stay after lobectomy for cancer. Obesity should not be considered a surgical risk factor for pulmonary resection.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · May 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialPreoperative antithrombin supplementation in cardiac surgery: a randomized controlled trial.
Purified antithrombin supplementation in cardiac surgery has been suggested for the treatment of heparin resistance and the prevention of thromboembolic complications. This study is a randomized controlled trial of preoperative purified antithrombin supplementation, with the primary end point of avoiding low (<58%) postoperative antithrombin activity levels and secondary end points including avoidance of heparin resistance, clinical outcome, and safety end points. ⋯ Preoperative antithrombin supplementation prevents heparin resistance and avoids excessive postoperative decrease of antithrombin activity.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · May 2013
Plasma biomarkers for distinguishing etiologic subtypes of thoracic aortic aneurysm disease.
Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) develop through an asymptomatic process resulting in gross dilation that progresses to rupture if left undetected and untreated. If detected, patients with TAA are followed over time until the risk of rupture outweighs the risk of surgical repair. Current methodologies for tracking TAA size are limited to expensive computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging because no acceptable population screening tools are currently available. Previous studies from this laboratory and others have identified differential protein profiles for the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their endogenous tissue inhibitors (TIMPs), in ascending TAA tissue from patients with bicuspid aortic valves (BAVs), versus patients with idiopathic degenerative disease and a tricuspid aortic valve (TAV). In addition, altered microRNA (miR) expression levels have also been reported in TAAs compared with normal aortic tissue. The objective of our study was to identify circulating factors within plasma that could serve as potential biomarkers for distinguishing etiologic subtypes of aneurysm disease. ⋯ Taken together, these unique data demonstrate differential plasma profiles of MMPs, TIMPs, and miRs in ascending TAA specimens from patients with BAV and TAV. These results suggest that circulating biomarkers may form the foundation for a broader platform of biomarkers capable of detecting the presence of TAA using a simple blood test and may also be useful in personalized strategies to distinguish between etiologic subtypes of TAAs in patients with aneurysm disease.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · May 2013
Comparative StudyCryoablation during left ventricular assist device implantation reduces postoperative ventricular tachyarrhythmias.
The number of patients undergoing implantation of a HeartMate II left ventricular assist device (LVAD; Thoratec Corporation, Pleasanton, Calif) is rising. Ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VA) after placement of the device is common, especially among patients with preoperative VA. We sought to determine whether intraoperative cryoablation in select patients reduces the incidence of postoperative VA. ⋯ Postoperative VA can be minimized by preoperative risk assessment and intraoperative treatment. Localized cryoablation in select patients offers promising early feasibility when performed during HeartMate II LVAD implantation. Further prospective analysis is required to investigate this novel approach.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · May 2013
Use of continuous flow ventricular assist devices in patients with heart failure and a normal ejection fraction: a computer-simulation study.
Continuous flow left ventricular assist devices are used in end-stage systolic heart failure. However, about one half of the patients with heart failure exhibit diastolic dysfunction with a normal ejection fraction. In the present study, the possible hemodynamic consequences of continuous flow left ventricular assist devices use for these patients were investigated. ⋯ The simulation results suggested that continuous flow left ventricular assist devices improve the hemodynamics in patients with heart failure and a normal ejection fraction. For an optimal use of continuous flow left ventricular assist devices, low speeds should be maintained at rest, to avoid suction. However, during physical activity, higher speeds are needed to prevent an abnormal increase in the ventricular filling pressures typical of patients with heart failure and a normal ejection fraction.