A distractions capture tool for cardiac surgery and lung transplantation: impact on outcomes.

Objectives: Surgical distractions are associated with worse patient outcomes. Lung transplantation and cardiac surgery's multi-disciplinary nature, and their inherent complexities render them more vulnerable to distractions. We aim to use a novel distractions capture tool to evaluate the severity of distractions during cardiac surgery (CS) and lung transplantation (LTx) and assess its impact on post-operative complications.

Minimally invasive versus conventional sternotomy for Mitral valve repair: protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial (UK Mini Mitral).

Introduction: Numbers of patients undergoing mitral valve repair (MVr) surgery for severe mitral regurgitation have grown and will continue to rise. MVr is routinely performed via median sternotomy; however, there is a move towards less invasive surgical approaches.There is debate within the clinical and National Health Service (NHS) commissioning community about widespread adoption of minimally invasive MVr surgery in the absence of robust research evidence; implementation requires investment in staff and infrastructure.

Outcomes in minimally invasive double valve surgery.

Objective: To review current literature evidence on outcomes of minimally invasive double valve surgeries (MIS).

Methods: A comprehensive electronic literature search was done from inception to 20th June 2020 identifying articles that discussed outcomes of minimally invasive approach in double valve surgeries either as a solo cohort or as comparative to conventional sternotomies. No limit was placed on time and place of publication and the evidence has been summarized in narrative manner within the manuscript.

Endoscopic Tricuspid Valve Surgery is a Safe and Effective Option.

Objective: Isolated tricuspid surgery through median sternotomy can be associated with a high morbidity and mortality. Reports of minimally invasive isolated tricuspid valve operations are rare, but the outcomes are encouraging. We present our experience of endoscopic isolated tricuspid valve surgery.

Bridging to lung transplantation for severe pulmonary hypertension using dual central Novalung lung assist devices.

This case describes the technique of using dual Novalungs (a pumpless extracorporeal system) to bridge a patient with idiopathic pulmonary hypertension to bilateral lung transplantation. A 41-year old lady with idiopathic pulmonary hypertension (with a possible veno-occlusive element) presented with symptoms of end-stage heart and lung failure. This was refractory to medical management with iloprost, sildenafil and bosentan.

A case series of myectomy: a review of its current application as an adjunct procedure.

In this article, we review the role played by myectomy in cardiac surgery. For this purpose, we looked at three cases of different etiology where myectomy in conjunction with treatment of the primary condition proved invaluable in the outcome of these patients. The primary conditions requiring treatment were subaortic membrane, hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy with mitral valve regurgitation, and aortic stenosis.

Successful graft patency after factor VIIa use for bleeding in coronary artery surgery: an unusual complication of a coronary artery bypass surgery.

There is a growing literature regarding the use of recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) (NovoSeven, NovoNordisk, Copenhagen, Denmark) to control refractory hemorrhage after cardiopulmonary bypass in cardiac surgery. This supporting evidence is mostly documented as case reports on patients, of which only six involve coronary artery grafting. We present our experience of a patient undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, who suffered an anaphylactic reaction to protamine preventing safe reversal of systemic heparinization.

Complex off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery can be safely taught to cardiothoracic trainees.

Objectives: Off-pump coronary revascularisation is demanding technically as the surgeon is faced with a beating heart and not a bloodless field. The potential clinical advantages of off-pump coronary revascularisation have made this procedure an essential part of a cardiothoracic training program. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of teaching trainees complex off-pump coronary artery surgery (arterial grafting, 'Y' grafts, sequential grafting and minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass) on clinical outcomes.

Effects of cell saver autologous blood transfusion on blood loss and homologous blood transfusion requirements in patients undergoing cardiac surgery on- versus off-cardiopulmonary bypass: a randomised trial.

Objective: Off-pump CABG is potentially associated with reduced intraoperative blood loss and homologous blood transfusion in comparison to on-pump CABG. In this randomised controlled study we investigated the effects of autologous cell saver blood transfusion on blood loss and homologous blood transfusion requirements in patients undergoing CABG on- versus off-CPB.

Methods: Eighty patients were randomised into one of four groups: (A) on-CPB with cell saver blood transfusion (CSBT), (B) on-CPB without CSBT, (C) off-pump with CSBT and (D) off-pump without CSBT.

How safe is it to train residents to perform off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery?

Background: The technique of off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (OPCABG) surgery differs considerably from on-pump CABG. This study investigates the impact of surgical training on clinical outcome in patients undergoing OPCABG.

Methods: All 251 OPCABG cases performed by one service over an 18-month period were analyzed.