The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Feb 2012
Surgical management of aortic root abscess: a 13-year experience in 172 patients with 100% follow-up.
The study objective was to evaluate the outcomes of surgery for active infective endocarditis with aortic root abscess formation. ⋯ The surgical treatment of aortic root abscess remains a challenge with relatively high perioperative morbidity and mortality, although long-term survival is satisfactory.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Feb 2012
Multicenter StudyPreoperative proteinuria predicts acute kidney injury in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
The study objective was to examine the utility of using proteinuria in preoperative risk stratification for acute kidney injury. Acute kidney injury is a common and important complication for patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Proteinuria, which reflects structural damage to the glomeruli or renal tubules, may aid the prediction of acute kidney injury. ⋯ Preoperative proteinuria provides graded stratification risk for acute kidney injury and is an independent predictor of other outcomes in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Feb 2012
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyLong-term implications of emergency versus elective proximal aortic surgery in patients with Marfan syndrome in the Genetically Triggered Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms and Cardiovascular Conditions Consortium Registry.
Patients with Marfan syndrome with aortic root aneurysms undergo elective aortic root replacement to avoid the life-threatening outcomes of aortic dissection and emergency repair. The long-term implications of failed aortic surveillance leading to acute dissection and emergency repair are poorly defined. We compared the long-term clinical courses of patients with Marfan syndrome who survive emergency versus elective proximal aortic surgery. ⋯ For patients with Marfan syndrome, failed aortic surveillance and consequent emergency dissection repair have important long-term implications with regard to the status of the distal aorta, need for multiple procedures, and quality of life. These findings emphasize the importance of aortic surveillance and timely elective aortic root aneurysm repair for patients with Marfan syndrome.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Feb 2012
Younger age and valve oversizing are predictors of structural valve deterioration after pulmonary valve replacement in patients with tetralogy of Fallot.
We sought to identify predictors of structural valve deterioration after pulmonary valve replacement in patients with tetralogy of Fallot. ⋯ Younger age at the time of pulmonary valve replacement and valve oversizing in patients less than 20 years of age at the time of pulmonary valve replacement were significant predictors of structural valve deterioration and could potentially affect the timing of pulmonary valve replacement and the extent of valve oversizing in small children. No statistically significant difference in valve performance was seen between bioprosthetic valve types at short-term follow-up.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Feb 2012
Editorial Biography Historical ArticleHistorical perspectives of The American Association for Thoracic Surgery: Alfred Blalock (1899-1964).
Great men are not a common occurrence. Indeed, they are a rare find. Though respected and lauded in their time, it is only in retrospect that their true contributions can be adequately measured as a surgeon, an educator and a scientist. ⋯ His continual reach for excellence helped him to not only affect, but revolutionize the paradigm of surgical research, an understanding of the physiology of shock and the surgical management of pulmonic stenosis/atresia. Dr. Blalock was the 30th president of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery and his presidential address was given in 1951.