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Journal and News Scan
August 12, 2021
Submitted by: Catherine Joyce
This study focused on FET proximalization used in combination with four-sites perfusion and results show that these techniques when performed together have the potential to improve patient outcomes in terms of survival and major events.
August 12, 2021
Submitted by: Mark Ferguson
Although the standard of care in the West for regionally advanced esophageal cancer entails induction therapy, this is routinely not the case in China. This randomized trial involving over 450 randomized participants to induction therapy (vinorelbine, cisplatin, 40 Gy RT) followed by resection vs resection alone. At a median f/u of 53.5 mos, trimodality therapy demonstrated overall (HR 0.74; CI 0.57-0.97) and disease free (HR 0.60; CI 0.45 to 0.80) survival advantages compared to surgery alone. This study may establish a new standard of care for management of resectable regionally advanced esophageal cancer in China.
August 6, 2021
Submitted by: Catherine Joyce
This study examined data that suggested off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) may carry a higher risk of mortality in the long term than on-pump coronary artery bypass (ONCAB).
August 6, 2021
Submitted by: Catherine Joyce
This study focused on the anatomical evolution of residual aortic dissection after type A repair. To improve long-term outcomes, early demographic and anatomic poor prognostic factors that were identified in this study should be considered for more aggressive treatment at an early phase.
August 6, 2021
Submitted by: Christopher Anderson
In contrast to traditional risk assessment methods (logistic regression), which assume that risk factors interact linearly and additively,
the non-linear machine learning methodology of Optimal Classification Trees provides superior power for predicting risks after
congenital heart surgery, with the advantage over other machine learning methods of logical interpretability. This methodology also
allows estimation of individual patient risk, based on aggregate database data, and may facilitate decision–making and quality
improvements in congenital heart surgery.
July 30, 2021
Submitted by: Christopher Anderson
Norwood palliation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome typically results in retrograde perfusion of the native aortic root. This may predispose to native aortic root thrombosis (NART).
July 30, 2021
Submitted by: Christopher Anderson
This article presents the assessment of long-term outcomes of patients treated by anatomical pulmonary resection with the video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) approach, VATS requiring intraoperative conversion to thoracotomy, or an upfront open thoracotomy for lung cancer surgery. The study found that VATS is favored when possible.
July 22, 2021
Submitted by: Wei-Guo Ma
On July 22, The Annals of Thoracic Surgery published this consensus statement on nomenclature and classification of the congenital bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and Its aortopathy.
This consensus statement divides BAV into 3 types: 1) Cusp-fused type (right-left, right-non and left-non-coronary cusp fusion ); 2) Two-sinus type (latero-lateral and antero-posterior ); and 3) Partial-fusion (forme fruste) type.
BAV-associated aortopathy are categorized into 3 types: 1) Ascending type; 2) Root type; and 3) Extended type.
July 16, 2021
Submitted by: Mark Ferguson
This study assessed cognitive involved in cardiac surgical procedures from the perspective of three different specialty groups: surgeons, anesthesiologists, and perfusionists. The 137 unique processes that were identified were classified as: decision points, critical communications, pitfalls, and strategies. Understanding these processes and the different perspectives each team member brings to the operation may help improve patient safety and outcomes.
July 15, 2021
Submitted by: Christopher Anderson
This study analyzes the relocation of both papillary muscles to correct FMR in both ICM and DCM. The results demonstrate very satisfactory in-hospital and 1-year outcomes.