The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Apr 2013
Surgical outcomes after cardiac surgery in liver transplant recipients.
This was a single-center retrospective study to assess the surgical outcomes and predictors of mortality of liver transplant recipients undergoing cardiac surgery. ⋯ Cardiac surgery in the liver allograft recipients was associated with acceptable surgical outcomes. Preoperative encephalopathy and pulmonary hypertension were independent predictors of late mortality. The cutoff value of 13.5 in the MELD score might be useful for predicting surgical mortality in cardiac surgery.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Apr 2013
Introducing transapical aortic valve implantation (part 1): effect of a structured training program on clinical outcome in a series of 500 procedures.
The purpose of the present study was to test whether the cumulative knowledge from the field of transapical transcatheter aortic valve implantation, when incorporated into a structured training and then gradually dispersed by internal proctoring, might eliminate the negative effect of the learning curve on the clinical outcomes. ⋯ The structured training program can be used to introduce transapical transcatheter aortic valve implantation and then gradually dispersed by internal proctoring to other members of the team with no concomitant detriment to patients.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Apr 2013
Surgical decortication as the first-line treatment for pleural empyema.
The study objective was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of surgical decortication as the first line of treatment for pleural empyema. ⋯ The first treatment choice for pleural empyema is a critical determinant of ultimate therapeutic success. After adjusting for confounding variables, surgical decortication is the optimal first treatment choice for advanced empyema.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Apr 2013
Clinical TrialClinical analysis of concomitant valve replacement and bipolar radiofrequency ablation in 191 patients.
The study objective was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of concomitant bipolar radiofrequency ablation and heart valve replacement in patients with rheumatic heart disease and atrial fibrillation. ⋯ Concomitant bipolar radiofrequency ablation is an effective and safe technique for treating atrial fibrillation in patients with rheumatic heart disease undergoing valve replacement, with promising follow-up results.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Apr 2013
Pulmonary valve implantation using self-expanding tissue valve without cardiopulmonary bypass reduces operation time and blood product use.
The study objective was to review our initial experience with newly developed off-pump pulmonary valve implantation techniques and compare outcomes with the conventional approach. ⋯ Off-pump pulmonary valve implantation is a good alternative for pulmonary valve replacement. The procedure reduces operating time, blood loss, and blood product requirement.