Journal of thoracic disease
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Lung transplantation (LTx) in advanced stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients is associated with significant improvement in lung function and exercise capacity. However, demonstration that the procedure also provides a survival benefit has been more elusive compared to other respiratory conditions. ⋯ Many variables have to be considered in the selection of candidates, time for listing, and choice of procedure: age, patient comorbidities, secondary pulmonary hypertension, the balance between individual and community benefit. This review will discuss patient selection, transplant listing, potential benefits and critical issues of bilateral (BLTx) and single lung (SLTx) procedure, donor-to-recipient organ size-matching; furthermore, it will describe LTx outcomes and its effects on recipient survival and quality of life.
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Thoracic surgery databases continue to emerge as pillars for institutional quality improvement and research endeavors. This paper reviews the current state of the largest thoracic surgery databases: the Thoracic Surgeons General Thoracic Surgery Database (STS-GTSD) and the European Society of Thoracic Surgery Database (ESTSD). In addition, we utilize these as a platform to evaluate the role and key ingredients for successful international database collaborations. Ultimately, collaborative efforts among large databases unify research efforts, foster cohesion, serve as benchmarks for quality improvement locally, nationally and internationally, promote comparative innovation, and ultimately improve patient outcomes.
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Early recognition of the risks of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and prevention of the development of ARDS may be more effective in improving patient outcomes. We performed the present study to determine the ARDS risk factors in a Chinese population and validate a score to predict the development of ARDS. ⋯ The MAPS based on risk factors could help the clinician to predict patients who will develop ARDS.
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Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs have been reported to decrease complications and shorten hospital stays after lung resections, but their implementation requires time and financial investment with dedicated staff. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and economic outcomes of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) anatomical pulmonary resections before and after implementation of an ERAS program. ⋯ An ERAS program for VATS anatomical lung resection is cost-effective and is associated with a lower complication rate and a shorter postoperative hospitalization.
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Technological improvement has contributed to making veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) safer and easier, spreading its use in acute respiratory failure (ARF). ⋯ More biocompatible and shorter drainage cannula may represent one of the contributing factors to a reduction in transfusions and costs of VV-ECMO in the current ongoing technological improvement in ECMO.