Number and Type of Blood Products Are Negatively Associated With Outcomes After Cardiac Surgery.

Background: The association between blood transfusion and adverse outcome is documented in cardiac surgery. However, the incremental significance of each unit transfused, whether red blood cell (RBC) or non-RBC, is uncertain. This study examined the relationship of patient outcomes with the type and number of blood product units transfused.

The long-term safety and efficacy of concomitant Cox maze procedures for atrial fibrillation in patients without mitral valve disease.

Objective: Newly published guidelines made the highest level recommendation for surgical treatment for atrial fibrillation. However, the number of patients without a mitral valve procedure with atrial fibrillation who are treated with concomitant surgical ablation is still low (15%-25%), because surgeons are reluctant to perform procedures in patients who would not otherwise require left atriotomy. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of concomitant Cox maze with and without mitral valve procedures.

The use of del Nido cardioplegia in adult cardiac surgery: A prospective randomized trial.

Objectives: The del Nido cardioplegia solution has been used extensively in congenital heart surgery for more than 20 years and more recently for adults. This randomized controlled trial examined whether expanding this technique to adult cardiac surgery confers benefits in surgical workflow and clinical outcome compared with blood-based cardioplegia.

Methods: Adult first-time coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve, or CABG/valve surgery patients requiring cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were randomized to del Nido cardioplegia (n = 48) or whole blood cardioplegia (n = 41).

Long-term outcome following concomitant mitral valve surgery and Cox maze procedure for atrial fibrillation.

Objective: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with increased early and long-term morbidity/mortality following valve surgery. This study examined long-term influence of concomitant full Cox maze (CM) and mitral valve procedures on freedom from atrial arrhythmia and stroke.

Methods: This sample comprised patients who underwent CM with a mitral valve procedure (N = 473).

Does Surgical Ablation Energy Source Affect Long-Term Success of the Concomitant Cox Maze Procedure?

Background: The Cox maze (CM) procedure is routinely performed using surgical ablation technology. Reports are scarce on long-term outcomes of CM, especially for a large series of patients. This study examined the potential impact of surgical ablation energy source on safety and long-term efficacy of concomitant CM procedures.