Extrapleural pneumonectomy for sarcoma: Outcomes of adult patients at a specialized center.

Background: Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) is a complex surgical procedure involving en-bloc resection of the parietal and visceral pleura, lung, pericardium, and ipsilateral diaphragm. Small case series of pleural-based sarcoma of predominantly pediatric patients suggest EPP may be a life-prolonging surgical option. We aimed to describe the characteristics and outcomes of adults who underwent EPP at a specialized sarcoma center.

The outcomes of concomitant catheter ablation in non-mitral valve cardiac surgery-a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common form of cardiac arrythmia, with a key importance in the perioperative setting of cardiac surgery. In recent years, the question as to whether pre-existent AF should be treated concomitantly when undergoing cardiac surgery has been heatedly debated. This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to delineate the outcomes of patients undergoing concomitant AF ablation procedures alongside cardiac surgery.

Matrix Metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) Polymorphisms Are Associated with Prolonged ECG-Derived QTc Interval: A Cross-Sectional Study of the Australian Rural Population.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes that are integral in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. In age or disease, ECM may become dysregulated and contribute to fibrosis, which impairs cardiac electrical conduction. Two alleles regulate matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) activity: one with five adenosine bases (5A; associated with higher MMP-3 activity and decreased fibrosis) and another with six adenosine bases (6A; associated with lower MMP-3 activity and increased fibrosis).