Survival after Aortic Valve Replacement for Aortic Regurgitation: Prediction from Preoperative Contractility Measurement.

Background: Noninvasive measurement of myocardial contractility (end-systolic wall stress-adjusted change in left ventricular ejection fraction from rest to exercise [ΔLVEF - ΔESS]) predicts heart failure, subnormal LVEFrest, and sudden death in asymptomatic patients with chronic severe aortic regurgitation (AR). Here we assess the relation of preoperative ΔLVEF - ΔESS to survival after aortic valve replacement (AVR).

Methods: Patients who underwent AVR for chronic, isolated, pure severe AR (n = 66) were followed for 13.

National trends in utilization and in-hospital outcomes of mechanical versus bioprosthetic aortic valve replacements.

Objective: Substantial controversy surrounds the choice between a mechanical versus bioprosthetic prosthesis for aortic valve replacement (AVR), based on age. This study aims to investigate national trends and in-hospital outcomes of the 2 prosthesis choices.

Methods: All patients aged >18 years in the National Inpatient Sample who received an AVR between 1998 and 2011 were considered.

Preoperative hypothyroidism is a risk factor for postoperative atrial fibrillation in cardiac surgical patients.

Background And Aim: Although studies analyzing the effect of thyroid supplementation on postoperative morbidity and mortality from cardiac surgery have been inconclusive, they suggest a role in the prevention of postoperative atrial fibrillation. To further explore this relationship we conducted a retrospective study to determine whether abnormalities in routine preoperative thyroid function studies correlate with the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation.

Methods: From May 2004 until July 2011, 821 patients with complete thyroid function testing performed preoperatively underwent cardiac surgery.

Comparative effectiveness of robotic-assisted vs thoracoscopic lobectomy.

Background: Robotic-assisted lobectomy is being offered increasingly to patients. However, little is known about its safety, complication profile, or effectiveness.

Methods: Patients undergoing lobectomy in in the United States from 2008 to 2011 were identified in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample.

Gastrointestinal complications after mitral valve surgery.

Introduction: Gastrointestinal (GI) complications are well-recognized risks of open heart surgery. However, open heart surgery comes in different shapes and sizes with widely varying pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative pathologies. The aim of this study was to examine the etiology and risk factors for GI complications after mitral valve surgery.