The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Mar 2022
Longitudinal analysis of National Institutes of Health funding for academic thoracic surgeons.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding for academic (noncardiac) thoracic surgeons at the top-140 NIH-funded institutes in the United States was assessed. We hypothesized that thoracic surgeons have difficulty in obtaining NIH funding in a difficult funding climate. ⋯ Contrary to our hypothesis, thoracic surgeons have received more NIH funding over time. Thoracic surgeons are able to fill the roles of modern surgeon-scientists by obtaining NIH funding during an era of increasing clinical demands. The NIH should continue to support this mission.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Mar 2022
Comparative StudyExtensive cell salvage and postoperative outcomes following thoracoabdominal and descending aortic repair.
Cell salvage (CS) reduces intraoperative blood transfusion. However, it may cause deformity of the red blood cells and loss of coagulation factors, which may lead to unwanted sequelae. Thus, we hypothesized that extensive CS would lead to adverse outcomes after descending/thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (D/TAAA) repair. ⋯ Increased salvaged cell units were associated with adverse postoperative outcomes after D/TAAA repairs. Risk of renal failure and mortality increased proportionally to the salvaged cell units.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Mar 2022
Cerebral atherosclerosis and early ischemic stroke after left-sided valve replacement surgery.
Studies have rarely investigated whether cerebral atherosclerosis increases the risk of stroke after valve replacement surgery. This study evaluated the influence of cerebral atherosclerosis on the risk of stroke after left-sided valve replacement surgery. ⋯ Intracranial cerebral atherosclerosis was an important predictor of postoperative stroke, suggesting the necessity of further studies on the feasibility of preoperative screening for cerebral atherosclerosis in patients undergoing left-sided valve replacement surgery.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Mar 2022
Complete atrioventricular septal defect with absent or diminutive primum component: Incidence, anatomic characteristics, and outcomes.
Repair of complete atrioventricular septal defect with absent or diminutive primum defect is challenging because of atrial septal malposition and abnormal anatomy of the left atrioventricular valve. We sought to define the incidence, anatomy, and surgical outcomes of this entity. ⋯ Complete atrioventricular septal defect with absent or diminutive primum defect is a unique variant of complete atrioventricular septal defect for which the risk of reoperation for left atrioventricular valve regurgitation after complete repair is high and risk factors include leftward malposition of the atrial septum on the common atrioventricular valve.