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Journal and News Scan
July 1, 2014
Submitted by: Mark Ferguson
This single institution retrospective study compared outcomes for lobectomy and segmentectomy using propensity score matching. For 312 pts in each group, there was no difference in logoregional or overall recurrence rates. Operative mortality rates were similar for segmentectomy and lobectomy (1.2% vs 2.5%). 5-year surival rates were also similar (54% vs 60%).
July 1, 2014
Submitted by: Mark Ferguson
This randomized trial of high risk patients with small clinial stage I cancers randomized pts to sublobar resection with or without adjuvant brachytherapy. The median follow-up for 222 pts was 4.4 years. 3 year survival was identical (71%) between the groups. There was no difference in time to local recurrence. Brachytherapy did not significantly reduce the incidence of local recurrence, even in patients with close or involved margins.
July 1, 2014
Submitted by: Mark Ferguson
In this randomized trial involving195 pts from 30 centers, pts underwent chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery or surgery alone for stage I or II esophageal cancer. The median follow-up was 94 months. 80% of pts had clinical stage II disease. R0 resection rate and 3-year survival were similar between the groups. Induction therapy was associated with an increase in operative mortality (11.1% vs 3.4%, p=0.049).
June 30, 2014
Submitted by: J. Rafael Sadaba
The incidence of coronary artery disease among patients with severe aortic stenosis and candidates for TAVI ranges from 40 to 75%. In the absence of randomized trials, the management of these patients remains to be established. In this paper, the authors offer a good overview of the subject and propose an algorithm for treatment.
June 29, 2014
Submitted by: Joel Dunning
This article looks at the availability of cardiac surgery in africa using a survey to calculate the availability of surgeons around this continent and also looks at the models of care employed.
June 29, 2014
Submitted by: Joel Dunning
A great use for google glasses is demonstrated here. The glasses can be used to film the operative field and communicate with others online in real time.
Thus real time expert opinions from around the world would potentially be possible with their use. They are used here for the first time.
June 28, 2014
Submitted by: Joel Dunning
Two-patch, single-patch, and modified single-patch repairs are accepted techniques for repair of complete atrioventricular (AV) canal defects. We propose a novel, alternative technique: the central patch technique.
The central patch technique is applicable to all forms of complete AV canal defect. Subjectively, it offers technical advantages compared to standard techniques and may result in a shorter learning curve for junior congenital heart surgeons. Results are preliminary but are consistent with standard techniques.
June 27, 2014
Submitted by: Joel Dunning
this is a video and article decribing the technique for bullectomy and pleural abrasion using the original drain as a port and 2 3mm ports.
June 26, 2014
Submitted by: Tom C. Nguyen
The cause of ischemic stroke remains elusive in up to 20-40% of cases. In patients with cryptogenic stroke, 8.9% of patients with long term monitoring using an insertable cardiac monitor were found to an episode of atrial fibrillation, which may have implications in therapy.
June 26, 2014
Submitted by: J. Rafael Sadaba
In this study the authors use data from 1432 patients included in the German TAVI registry to identify variables which predict poor outcome in patients left with more than mild aortic regurgitation (AR) following TAVI. The Medtronic Core Valve prosthesis had been used in the great majority of the procedures. 1-year follow up data was available in 92% of the patients. Of these patients, 201 (15.2%) were found to have significant AR. Using Cox regression analysis, only more than mild pre-existing mitral regurgitation and pulmonary hypertension were identified as independent predictors of 1-year mortality .