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Journal and News Scan

Source: The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
Author(s): Md Nazmul Karim, Christopher M. Reid, Lavinia Tran, Andrew Cochrane, Baki Billah

A surprisingly readable Australasian manuscript on risk prediction models for cardiac surgery. Interesting that the class of dyspnoea was not captured in 5.28% of the operated patients.

Source: PR Newswire
Author(s): Amanda C. Fowler

Following a charitable initiative launched in 2014 to impact one million underserved people by 2020, Edwards provides a current update on progress toward that goal.   Dr. David Adams and other specialists comment on the magnitude and importance of the effort, and a request for proposals announces the beginning of the foundation's 2017 grant cycle.

Source: The Times of India
Author(s): Geetanjali Medical College & Hospital

He weighed merely 470 grams at birth and was just the size of a palm. He was born prematurely after 28 weeks (5.5 months). His eyes hadn't opened, lungs weren't developed, skin resembled parchment paper, too fragile and delicate to touch, and he had heart complications.

After 15 days of birth, he underwent a heart surgery and has now become the tiniest miracle baby to have undergone a PDA (patent ductus arteriosus) corrective operation.

Source: Annals of Thoracic Surgery
Author(s): Raymond U. Osarogiagbon, Meredith A. Ray, Nicholas R. Faris, Matthew P. Smeltzer, Carrie Fehnel, Cheryl Houston-Harris, Raymond S. Signore, Laura M. McHugh, Paul Levy, Lynn Wiggins, Vishal Sachdev, Edward T. Robbins

An assessment of regional lung resection outcomes relative to compliance with NCCN resection guidelines was performed.  Negative margins 94%, 91% anatomic, 51% hilar nodes sampled, 26% 3 mediastinal nodal stations sampled.  On average, 17% of resections met all criteria, although the trend was upward over time.  Survival was better for pts who met all four criteria.

Source: Annals of Thoracic Surgery
Author(s): Nishant D. Patel, Diane Alejo, Todd Crawford, Narutoshi Hibino, Harry C. Dietz, Duke E. Cameron, Luca A. Vricella

Surgery for treatment of this aortopathy entailing aortic root replacement was assessed in this single institution retrospective study of 34 children.  90% had valve sparing surgery; there was no operative mortality.  Reintervention is commonly needed, and frequent surveillance imaging is recommended.

Source: Annals of Thoracic Surgery
Author(s): Daniel P. O’Hair, Tanvir K. Bajwa, Stanley J. Chetcuti, G. Michael Deeb, Robert C. Stoler, Robert F. Hebeler, Brijeshwar Maini, Mubashir Mumtaz, Neal S. Kleiman, Michael J. Reardon, Shuzhen Li, David H. Adams, Daniel R. Watson, Steven J. Yakubov, Jeffrey J. Popma, George Petrossian

Using data from the CoreValve US Expanding Use Study, outcomes for patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing TAVR were evaluated using an endpoint of all-cause mortality or major stoke at 1 year.  Mortality at 1 year was 30%, and the stroke incidence was 2.1%.  New permanent pacemaker need was 27%.  The 1-year mortality appears increased compared to patients without ESRD.  

Source: Annals of Thoracic Surgery
Author(s): Todd C. Crawford, J. Trent Magruder, Joshua C. Grimm, Clinton D. Kemp, Alejandro Suarez-Pierre, Kenton J. Zehr, Kaushik Mandal, Glenn J. Whitman, John V. Conte, Robert S. Higgins, Duke E. Cameron, Christopher M. Sciortino

UNOS data for over 14,500 isolated heart transplant patients were analyzed to assess the relationship between donor distance from the transplantation center and recipient mortality at 30 days and 1 year.   Ischemic time correlated with donor distance.  Mortality was reduced for donor distances over 25 miles, and the reduction was highest for distances greater than 500 miles.  

Source: European Heart Journal
Author(s): Antonio H. Frangieh, Albert Markus Kasel

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) has been considered a relative contraindication for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Nevertheless, favourable results have been reported from registries and observational reports. In this manuscript, the authors present some useful technical considerations and tips-and-tricks for use during TAVI procedures in BAV.

Source: Circulation Research
Author(s): David D. Waters, Priscilla Y. Hsue

A short and readable commentary on monoclonal antibodies and dyslipidaemias, particularly on FOURIER,  SPIRE and ODYSSEY trials

Source: New England Journal of Medicine
Author(s): D.S. Jones

With the 50th birthday of CABG, the New England Journal of Medicine published this nice article on the history and development of CABG.

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