ALERT!
This site is not optimized for Internet Explorer 8 (or older).
Please upgrade to a newer version of Internet Explorer or use an alternate browser such as Chrome or Firefox.
Journal and News Scan
February 19, 2014
Submitted by: Joel Dunning
Aorto-oesophageal fistulation following thoracic endovascular aortic repair occurred in 36 of 2387 patients with a mean interval of 90 days according to the European Registry of Endovascular Aortic Repair Complications. Key symptoms included fever, haematemesis and shock. Aggressive therapy with radical oesophagectomy and aortic replacement achieved the best 1-year survival.
February 19, 2014
Submitted by: Joel Dunning
There is growing interest in reparative techniques that durably improve the mitral orifice while preserving the subvalvular apparatus. Many of these techniques are technically challenging and require complex resections with intricate chordal adjustments, which may have limited their global acceptance. In this report, a three-step technique is outlined that does not require significant resection or involve the use of neochords. This offers a potentially simplified approach to the repair of rheumatic mitral stenosis.
Two cases of acute bioprosthetic mitral valve thrombosis immediately after mitral valve replacement.
February 16, 2014
Submitted by: J. Rafael Sadaba
In this manuscript the authors present two cases of early thrombosis of biological prosthesis following mitral valve replacement. Both patients were on venous arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), which could be the factor responsible for this unusual event. The authors advocate the use of more aggressive anticoagulation on patients on ECMO and prosthetic cardiac valves.
February 16, 2014
Submitted by: J. Rafael Sadaba
This interesting study evaluates the hemodynamic effect of the residual ASD produced by the transeptal approach for MitraClip implantation. The new left to right shunt could contribute to the reduction in mitral regurgitation following MitraClip implantation
February 15, 2014
Submitted by: Mark Ferguson
Pts undergoing aortic root replacement who moderate MR preoperatively were evaluated for outcomes after mitral repair vs no repair. Mitral repair was associated with longer crossclamp times, and postoperative renal failure. Root replacement improved MR without mitral repair, but mitral repair further improved the degree of regurgitation. There was no difference in long-term survival.
February 15, 2014
Submitted by: Mark Ferguson
Pts surviving esophagectomy longer than 10 years were queried as to QOL. Alimentary comfort rating was 9 out of 10. 33% experienced diarrhea, dumping, or regurgitation. 15% had aspiration requiring hospital care. Mean weight loss was 26 lbs. Median GI QOL score was 2.9 out of 4.
February 15, 2014
Submitted by: Mark Ferguson
The authors performed VSD closure in children using a 3-port technique and compared the outcomes to patients undergoing open repair. The MIS approach was associated with shorter ICU stay, shorter hospital stay, fewer blood transfusions, and less opioid use.
February 15, 2014
Submitted by: Mark Ferguson
Over 700 lung cancer patients were surveyed at diagnosis and a mean of 54 months later regarding smoking status. 56% of those smoking at the time of diagnosis and stopped smoking 1 year later. Smoking cessation was adversely affected by second hand smoke exposure from housemates, spouses, and peers; these effects were cumulative.
February 15, 2014
Submitted by: Mark Ferguson
Patients requiring readmission after cardiac surgery were compared to time-matched patients who did not require readmission to evaluate factors associated with this adverse event. Predictors of readmission included COPD, decreased EF, prolonged length of stay, and lower educational level. Failure to see a physician early after discharge increased the risk of readmission by 6-fold.
February 10, 2014
Submitted by: Mark Ferguson
The CROSS trials randomized pts with esophageal cancer or GEJ cancer to surgery vs induction chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by surgery. Prior studies reported a significant improvement in survival and freedom from recurrence associated with induction therapy. In this report, CRT reduced locoregional recurrence from 34% to 14% and reduced peritoneal carcinomatosis from 14% to 4%. Local recurrence within the RT field occurred in only 5% of patients.