The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Mar 2022
Clinical impact of a small component of ground-glass opacity in solid-dominant clinical stage IA non-small cell lung cancer.
Non-small cell lung cancers with a ground-glass opacity component have better prognosis than those with solid nodules of equivalent consolidation size. However, the impact of small ground-glass opacity components on prognosis is unknown. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the significance of a small ground-glass opacity component in solid-dominant clinical stage IA non-small cell lung cancers. ⋯ A small ground-glass opacity component has an impact on the prognosis of patients with solid-dominant c-stage IA non-small cell lung cancer. Therefore, c-stage IA non-small cell lung cancers should be evaluated separately for tumors with ground-glass opacity and pure-solid tumors.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Mar 2022
Understanding the literature: Complexity of statistical methods used in high-impact cardiothoracic surgery research.
Biostatistics are frequently used in research published in the domain of cardiothoracic surgery. The objective of this study was to describe the scope of statistical techniques reported in the literature and to highlight implications for editorial review and critical appraisal. ⋯ Contemporary cardiothoracic surgery research frequently requires the use of complex statistical methods. This was evident across articles for all cardiothoracic surgical subspecialties as reported in 3 high-impact journals. Routine review of manuscript submissions by biostatisticians is needed to ensure the appropriate use and reporting of advanced statistical methods in cardiothoracic surgery research.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Mar 2022
Biventricular conversion after Fontan completion: A preliminary experience.
To assess the feasibility and outcomes of biventricular conversion following takedown of Fontan circulation. ⋯ A primary as well as a staged biventricular conversion is feasible in patients who have had previous Fontan procedure. Although this provides an alternative to transplantation in patients with failing Fontan, outcomes are worse in those with failing Fontan compared with elective takedown of Fontan circulation. Optimal timing needs further evaluation.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Mar 2022
Safety of continuous 12-hour delivery of antimicrobial doses of inhaled nitric oxide during ex vivo lung perfusion.
High-dose nitric oxide (NO) has been shown effective against a variety of micro-organisms in vitro, including common bacteria found in donor organs. However, clinical obstacles related to its implementation in vivo are the formation of methemoglobin and the accumulation of toxic nitrogen compounds. Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) is a platform that allows for organ maintenance with an acellular perfusion solution, thus overcoming these limitations. The present study explores the safety of continuous high-dose inhaled (iNO) during EVLP for an extended period of 12 hours. ⋯ High-dose inhaled NO delivered continuously over 12 hours appears to be safe without inducing any significant pulmonary inflammation or deterioration in lung function. These findings support further efficacy studies to explore the use of iNO for the treatment of infections in donor lungs during EVLP.