Impact of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography on acute type-A aortic dissection.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography on type-A acute aortic dissection.

Design: Retrospective observational study.

Setting: Tertiary care hospital.

Theatre within 36 h for patients with fracture of the proximal femur: can we deliver?

Background: Proximal femur fractures carry significant levels of morbidity and mortality. Surgical delay is one factor that adversely affects outcome in these patients. In 2010, hospital-income from patients with proximal femur fractures was linked to the surgery being undertaken within 36 h of admission.

Institutional variability of intraoperative red blood cell utilization in coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

The variability in frequency of allogeneic blood transfusion during coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) is a concern. Evidence-based guidelines support minimizing the use of blood during open heart surgery. The Hospital Clinical Services Group quality indicator database was queried for intraoperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in 17 252 isolated CABG surgery cases during 2007.

Clinical, angiographic, and interventional follow-up of patients with aortic-saphenous vein graft connectors.

Background: The use of aortic connectors for proximal saphenous vein bypass graft anastomoses eliminates the need for aortic clamping during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and may reduce the incidence of stroke in the elderly and in patients with severe aortic atherosclerosis.

Methods And Results: We studied 74 consecutive patients who received the Symmetry Bypass System aortic connector at the time of CABG. A total of 131 of 144 proximal vein graft anastomoses were performed with this device.