Acute Type A Dissection Repair by High-Volume Vs Low-Volume Surgeons at a High-Volume Aortic Center.

Background: Previous studies suggest improved outcomes for acute type A dissections (ATAAD) treated at high-volume centers. It is unclear if outcomes are a result of individual surgeon experience or inherent resources available at high-volume centers. To explore this question, we stratified outcomes for ATAAD repair by low-volume and high-volume surgeons at a high-volume center.

Phase of Care Mortality Analysis According to Individual Patient Risk Profile.

Background: Phase of care mortality analysis (POCMA) is a quality improvement tool categorizing triggers for mortality into phases of patient care. However, the relationship between a patient's risk profile and the triggers for mortality is incompletely understood.

Methods: POCMA was implemented for cases with available Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) risk models.

Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Repair for Acute Papillary Muscle Rupture During Pregnancy.

Acute papillary muscle rupture during pregnancy is a rare cardiac condition with potential for 200% mortality. We describe a 28-year-old morbidly obese woman at 27 weeks gestation who presented with acute decompensated mitral regurgitation secondary to spontaneous papillary muscle rupture. After hemodynamic stabilization and caesarean delivery, we performed an emergent mitral valve repair through a minimally invasive right thoracotomy.