The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Aug 2011
Detection of integrin-linked kinase in the serum of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.
Integrin-linked kinase, which is relevant to neoplastic transformation, is highly expressed in malignant pleural mesothelioma. Recently, detection of integrin-linked kinase in serum of patients with ovarian cancer has been reported. This study asks whether integrin-linked kinase can also be detected in serum of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma and whether serum level has diagnostic or prognostic relevance for that disease. ⋯ Integrin-linked kinase can be detected in serum of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma and may be a diagnostic marker for the disease.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Aug 2011
Learning curve analysis of mitral valve repair using telemanipulative technology.
To determine if the time required to perform mitral valve repairs using telemanipulation technology decreases with experience and how that decrease is influenced by patient and procedure variables. ⋯ Learning in mitral valve repair surgery using telemanipulative technology occurs at the East Carolina Heart Institute according to a logarithmic curve, with a learning percentage of 95%. From our regression output, we can make an approximate prediction of total robot time using an additive model. These metrics can be used by programs for benchmarking to manage the implementation of this new technology, as well as for capacity planning, scheduling, and capital budget analysis.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Aug 2011
The effect of blood pressure on cerebral outcome in a rat model of cerebral air embolism during cardiopulmonary bypass.
Higher mean arterial pressure during cardiopulmonary bypass may improve cerebral outcome associated with cerebral air embolism by increasing emboli clearance and collateral flow to salvage the ischemic penumbra. However, this may come at the expense of increased delivery of embolic load. This study was designed to investigate the influence of mean arterial pressures on cerebral functional and histologic outcome after cerebral air embolism during cardiopulmonary bypass in an established rat model. ⋯ The use of higher mean arterial pressure during cardiopulmonary bypass in a rat model of cerebral air embolism conveyed beneficial effects on functional cerebral outcome with no apparent disadvantage of increased delivery of embolic load. Maintaining higher perfusion pressures in situations of increased cerebral embolic load may be considered as a collateral therapeutic strategy.