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Journal and News Scan

Source: Journal of Cardiac Surgery
Author(s): Philippe Primo Caimmi, Maurizio Sabbatini, Luca Fusaro, Alessia Borrone and Mario Cannas

This study investigated the mechanical properties of ePTFE sutures used for artificial chordae during mitral valve repair. The study revealed that chordae greater than 3cm in length are associated with increased stiffness.  This suggests that repairs, using minimally invasive OFF PUMP beating heart techniques, which anchor ePTFE neochordae to the ventricular apex, may have less durability than when anchored to the tips of the papillary muscles.

Source: Journal of Thoracic Oncology
Author(s): Bing-Yen Wang, Jing-Yang Huang, Ching-Hsiung Lin, Jiunn-Liang Ko, Chen-Te Chou, Yu-Chung Wu, Sheng-Hao Lin, Yung-Po Liaw

Using a Taiwanese national database, the authors evaluated long-term survival after VATS vs open lobectomy for lung cancer using propensity matching and multvariate analyses.  Among 5,222 patients, 2,164 (41%) had a VATS approach.  Propensity matching yielded 1848 patients in each group.  5-year survival was similar for the VATS and open groups (68.7% vs 65.5%).  Surgical resection was not an independent predictor of survival.

Source: Interact CardioVasc Thorac Surg
Author(s): Giuseppe Gatti, Luca Dell'Angela, Marco Morosin, Luca Maschietto, Bruno Pinamonti, Bernardo Benussi, Gabriella Forti, Gian Luigi Nicolosi, Gianfranco Sinagra, and Aniello Pappalardo

The authors compared the results of annuloplasty with flexible and rigid rings in patients with tricuspid valve regurgitation. This is a propensity score-matched analysis with 98 pairs. They concluded that both rings are equally effective, however the rigid one causes a more complete right heart reverse remodelling. 

Source: Eur J Cardiothorac Surg
Author(s): Annabel J. Sharkey, Rocco Bilancia, Sara Tenconi, Apostolos Nakas, and David A. Waller

The authors describe their experience with radical resection by either extrapleural pneumonectomy or extended pleurectomy–decortication (EPD) for management of pleural mesothelioma. They present pathologic findings, progression and outcome and discuss the results with caution.

Source: Eur J Cardiothorac Surg
Author(s): Sebastiano Castrovinci, Davide Pacini, Luca Di Marco, Paolo Berretta, Mariano Cefarelli, Giacomo Murana, Jacopo Alfonsi, Antonio Pantaleo, Alessandro Leone, Marco Di Eusanio, and Roberto Di Bartolomeo

The propensity-score analysis compares minimized extent of repair with root replacement (RR). Results for mortality are similar; however, RR seems to be associated with fewer interventions.

Source: Eur J Cardiothorac Surg
Author(s): Marjan Jahangiri, Rajdeep Bilkhu, Michael Borger, Volkmar Falk, Irene Helleman, Bertie Leigh, Michael Mack, Eduard Quintana, Miguel Sousa Uva, Stephen Westaby, and Jose Luis Pomar

The paper summarizes the opinions of cardiac surgeons on data collection and presentation for quality assessment on surgeon-specific and institutional level. The analysis is based on a questionnaire which was handed out at the EACTS Annual Meeting in 2015.

Source: Journal of Thoracic Oncology
Author(s): Peter Goldstraw,, Kari Chansky, John Crowley, Ramon Rami-Porta, Hisao Asamura, Wilfried E.E. Eberhardt, Andrew G. Nicholson, Patti Groome, Alan Mitchell, Vanessa Bolejack, on behalf of the show International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer Staging and Prognostic Factors Committee, Advisory Boards, and Participating Institutions

Proposed definitions for the 8th edition of the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual are presented.

Source: Annals of Surgery
Author(s): Cardinale, Daniela; Sandri, Maria T; Colombo, Alessandro; Salvatici, Michela; Tedeschi, Ines; Bacchiani, Giulia; Beggiato, Marta; Meroni, Carlo A; Civelli, Maurizio; Lamantia, Giuseppina; Colombo, Nicola; Veglia, Fabrizio; Casiraghi, Monica; Spaggiari, Lorenzo; Venturino, Marco; Cipolla, Carlo M

This randomized trial evaluated the efficacy of postoperative metoprolol or losartan in preventing atrial fibrillation in patients with elevated N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide who were undergoing lung resection for cancer.  Among candidates, 29% (320) of patients had elevated NT-proBNP and were randomized.  Both metoprolol and losartan reduced afib incidence compared to controls (6%, 12%, 40%). 

Source: Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
Author(s): Umberto Benedetto, Massimo Caputo, Mustafa Zakkar, Alan Bryan, Gianni D. Angelini

The impact of radial artery vs saphenous vein in patients undergoing bilateral IMA grafting was evaluated in 275 and 489 pts, respectively, using propensity score matching.  Operative mortality and survival at 5, 10, and 15 years were similar.  There was no influence of patient age, R vs L coronary system grafting, diabetes, or ventricular dysfunction on outcomes comparing the two groups.

Commentary: http://www.jtcvsonline.org/article/S0022-5223(16)30296-3/fulltext

Source: Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
Author(s): Jyoti K. Patel, Andrew C. Glatz, Reena M. Ghosh, Shannon M. Jones, Chitra Ravishankar, Christopher Mascio, Meryl S. Cohen

This single institution study evaluated the accuracy of intraoperative TEE to identify residual intramural ventricular septal defects after repair of conotruncal defects.  Intramural VSDs occurred in 10% of 337 pts; postoperative TTE identified all, intraoperative TEE identified 19.  Of abnormalities requiring catheterization or reoperation, 6 of 7 were identified by TEE.  Intraoperative TEE has most value in identfying defects that require reintervention.

Commentary: http://www.jtcvsonline.org/article/S0022-5223(16)30272-0/fulltext

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