Association between increased-risk donor social behaviors and recipient outcomes after heart transplantation.

Background: This study aims to investigate the association between social behaviors of increased-risk donors (IRD) and recipient outcomes after heart transplantation.

Methods: The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database was queried to identify patients who received a heart transplant between 2004 and 2015. Patients were grouped based on donor's risk status (IRD vs standard risk donor [SRD]).

Racial Disparities and Outcomes After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation as Bridge to Transplantation or Destination Therapy.

Objective: We sought to investigate outcomes after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation in advanced heart failure patients stratified by race.

Methods: Patients who had LVADs inserted at a single center as a bridge to transplant (BTT) or destination therapy (DT) were divided into 3 groups based on race: Caucasian, African American (AA), and Hispanic. Postoperative outcomes including complications, discharge disposition, and survival at defined time points were compared.

Femoral cannulation: a safe vascular access option for cardiopulmonary bypass in minimally invasive cardiac surgery.

Femoral cannulation during cardiopulmonary bypass has become a common approach for many cardiac procedures and serves as an important access option, especially during minimally invasive cardiac surgery. Opponents, however, argue that there is significant risk, including site-specific and overall morbidity, which makes the use of this modality dangerous compared to conventional aortoatrial cannulation techniques. We analyzed our institutional experience to elucidate the safety and efficacy of femoral cannulation.

Lymph node yield after colectomy for cancer: is absence of mismatch repair a factor?

Background: Nodal staging is crucial in determining the use of adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer. The number of metastatic lymph nodes has been positively correlated with the number of lymph nodes examined. Current guidelines recommend that at minimum 12 to 14 lymph nodes be assessed.

Analysis of reoperations after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.

Background And Objectives: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is considered the least invasive surgical option for the treatment of morbid obesity. Its initial popularity has been marred by recent long-term studies showing high complication rates. We sought to examine our experience with gastric banding and factors leading to reoperation.

Hostile Abdomen Index Risk stratification and laparoscopic complications.

Background: Common life-threatening complications associated with laparoscopy, including bleeding and inadvertent enterotomy, are described in the literature. We investigated the application of the Hostile Abdomen Index related to these complications. We hypothesize that the preoperative score may guide a surgeon in risk stratification.