Preoperative pulmonary function is associated with left ventricular assist device outcomes.

Introduction: Although left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is associated with improved survival in patients with end-stage heart failure, the impact of preoperative pulmonary function on short-term outcomes is unclear.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of all primary LVAD implants at a single institution. Common measures of preoperative pulmonary function were evaluated.

Hospital Volume and Long-Term Survival Among Medicare Beneficiaries Undergoing Surgical Repair of Acute Type A Aortic Dissection.

Despite guideline recommendations, transfer rates to high-volume aortic centers (high-VACs) for acute type A aortic dissections (TAAD) remain suboptimal. This may be because the benefit of undergoing surgical repair of TAAD at high-VACs remains poorly quantified. Medicare beneficiaries undergoing surgical repair of TAAD from 1999-2019 were identified.

Institution of a formal multidisciplinary heart team for high-risk coronary revascularization.

Introduction: The heart team approach is now the standard of care for patients with complex coronary artery disease; however, the definition of a heart team is variable. We embarked on a project to create an extended, multidisciplinary heart team to evaluate patients we deemed high risk for coronary revascularization. In doing so, we created a new service, workflow, and paradigm.