When and how should we manage thoracic aortic injuries in the modern era?

A best evidence topic in cardiovascular surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was what are the optimum treatment modality and timing of intervention for blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) in the modern era? Of the 697 papers found using the reported search, 14 (5 meta-analyses, 2 prospective and 7 retrospective studies) represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, journal, country, date of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and weakness of these papers are tabulated.

Simultaneous determination of ivabradine and its metabolites in human plasma by liquid chromatography--tandem mass spectrometry.

A rapid, selective, sensitive and reproducible liquid chromatographic method with tandem mass spectrometric detection has been developed and validated for the analysis of a new specific bradycardic agent, ivabradine (S 16257) and six potentially active metabolites in human plasma. Isolation of these compounds and of the internal standard was performed by an automated solid-phase extraction system using Oasis cartridges. Separation and detection of ivabradine and its metabolites were achieved using a C18 column and a MS-MS detector with a positive electrospray ionization source.