The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
-
J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Mar 2022
Comparative Study Observational StudyRoss procedure or complex aortic valve repair using pericardium in children: A real dilemma.
Difficult to repair aortic valve lesions, requiring the use of a valve substitute, remain controversial in the face of the Ross procedure, despite undeniable technical advances. This study was undertaken to compare midterm outcomes of children treated using the Ross procedure or aortic valvuloplasty for complex aortic valve lesions. ⋯ Aortic valvuloplasty and the Ross procedure yielded similar 8-year outcomes regarding death, reoperation, and infective endocarditis although aortic valvuloplasty tended to be associated with fewer cases of infective endocarditis. Aortic valvuloplasty using a pericardial patch can be chosen as a first-line strategy for treating complex aortic valve lesions and might offer the possibility of a later Ross procedure.
-
J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Mar 2022
Comparative Study Observational StudyMidterm outcomes and durability of sinus segment preservation compared with root replacement for acute type A aortic dissection.
The durability of root repair for acute type A aortic dissection is not well studied in the context of aortic insufficiency and stability of the sinuses of Valsalva. We compared clinical and functional outcomes in patients undergoing root repair and replacement for acute type A aortic dissection. ⋯ Survival is similar, but the incidence of aortic insufficiency and root dilation may be greater after root repair compared with root replacement for acute type A aortic dissection.
-
J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Mar 2022
Cardiac surgery outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): A case-series report.
The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the postoperative course of patients after cardiac surgery is unknown. We experienced a major severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak in our cardiac surgery unit, with several patients who tested positive early after surgery. Here we describe the characteristics, postoperative course, and laboratory findings of these patients, along with the fate of the health care workers. We also discuss how we reorganize and reallocate hospital resources to resume the surgical activity without further positive patients. ⋯ COVID-19 infection after cardiac surgery, regardless the time of the onset, is a serious condition. The systemic inflammatory state that follows extracorporeal circulation may mask the typical COVID-19 laboratory findings, making the diagnosis more difficult. A strict reorganization of the hospital resources is necessary to safely resume the cardiac surgical activity.