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Journal and News Scan
October 6, 2022
Submitted by: Cameron Lind
In conducting the largest study to date supporting the current medical consensus that recommends surgery only for patients with a thoracic aneurysm that is 5.5 centimeters or larger, the authors found that the overall risk for patients below that standard is low. This conclusion adds vital information to a circumstance that is underexplored but drives clinical decision-making.
October 6, 2022
Submitted by: Cameron Lind
One method for performing a critical step of the arterial switch operation (ASO), closed coronary artery transfer, was observed in a retrospective analysis and the results reported in this study. The overall survival rate for patients undergoing the procedure after a median follow-up period of 5.8 years was 97.4 percent, with a reoperation-free survival rate of 83.6 percent. The study concluded that closed coronary transfer for ASO has excellent short and mid-term results, even in more complex cases.
September 30, 2022
Submitted by: Cameron Lind
Chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) is especially prevalent after thoracotomy but is not well-studied in elderly adults. The authors of this study surveyed thoracotomy and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery patients to establish a prediction model for CPSP in those sixty-five and older. Advanced age, BMI, blood loss, longer hospital stays, and higher pre-operative neutrophil count were all associated with CPSP, establishing information on the condition in older adults.
September 30, 2022
Submitted by: Cameron Lind
This retrospective review compares the outcomes of heart failure patients who used continuous-flow left ventricular device (CF-LVAD) support with patients listed as primary transplant candidates at the same center. The results showed that CF-LVAD patients had excellent outcomes regardless of how long they were on the waitlist. This change of risk should be taken into account when considering CF-LVAD support as a bridge to transplant.
September 30, 2022
Submitted by: Cameron Lind
Since the human genome was fully sequenced, new methods of screening, diagnosing, and treating patients for heart conditions have emerged. Researchers have found that genetic variations can help to predict sudden cardiac death and thoracic aortic events. Some scientists are even developing a gene therapy treatment to prevent atrial fibrillation after surgery. These accomplishments in genetics could prevent numerous cardiac related mortalities.
September 30, 2022
Submitted by: Aristotle Protopapas
This editorial describes the evolving pathway of diagnosing a disease that is predicted to augment the indication for orthotopic cardiac transplantation. Cardiac involvement of sarcoidosis accounts for the majority of deaths in sarcoidosis patients, so it is important to better understand its symptoms. The differential diagnosis with giant cell myocarditis will certainly be of importance in providing nuance to the decisions of the transplant meeting.
September 23, 2022
Submitted by: Cameron Lind
This study aimed to establish risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE), a significant cause of mortality in lung cancer surgical patients. Unlike in surgical specialties that have adopted postdischarge VTE prophylaxis, in thoracic surgery the evidence is scarce. The study concluded that patients undergoing more extensive procedures and patients with advance stage lung cancer have an increased VTE risk. Strategies to reduce VTE risk should be considered in these patients.
September 23, 2022
Submitted by: Cameron Lind
As robotic surgery continues to advance and become a more established method in cardiothoracic and other surgical specialties, concerns have arisen surrounding cybersecurity. Healthcare systems are particularly vulnerable to cybersecurity attacks, and the complex nature of robotic surgery systems creates additional risk. To mitigate that risk, it is important to recognize system complexity, regularly update software, follow cybersecurity best practices, and increase transparency with robotic surgery patients.
September 20, 2022
Submitted by: Aristotle Protopapas
Plasma metabolomic profiles were examined to determine differences in social determinants of health between Black and white women. This observational study paves the groundwork for further investigation of social disparity in atheromatous disease. The historical hereditary effect of renin aldosterone axis regulation may be proven to reflect such disparities (related to slave trade and water deprivation) concerning people with African heritage. In fact, the study concluded that the significant difference in metabolomic profiles between Black and white women may be associated with coronary heart disease risk and racial disparities in the US.
September 15, 2022
Submitted by: Cameron Lind
Over the past three decades, more than 76,000 heart transplantations have been performed. This study evaluated trends and outcomes of patients who underwent the procedure to treat peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM)—a disease limited to female patients—the frequency of which increased over the study period. The analysis found that the ten-, fifteen-, and twenty-year survival rates were significantly lower among PPCM heart transplant patients than other female heart transplant patients. Additionally, survival rates were even lower among Black and Hispanic patients. However, the survival rate among PPCM patients did improve over the last decade, particularly for Black transplant patients.