Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm - The Branch First Technique.

Surgical management of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms is complex. In particular, maintaining adequate spinal cord and reno-visceral protection during the operation can be challenging. We describe here a branch-first technique developed at our institution, endeavoring to minimized renal and visceral organ ischemic time, decrease risk of spinal cord injury, and provide a controlled and uncluttered field in which the surgeon can operate.

Procedure-specific Cardiac Surgeon Volume associated with Patient outcome following Valve Surgery, but not Isolated CABG Surgery.

Purpose: Trends towards surgical sub-specialisation to improve patient-outcomes are well-documented and largely supported by evidence. However few studies have examined whether this benefit exists within adult-cardiac surgery. To answer whether sub-specialisation within adult-cardiac surgery improves patient-outcomes, this study assessed the relationship between procedure-specific and total-cardiac surgeon-volume and mortality and morbidity in cardiac-valve and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery.

Stanford type a aortic dissection in pregnancy: a diagnostic and management challenge.

Background: In women under the age of 40, over 50% of type A aortic dissections occur in the obstetric population. This is a complex situation, with potential catastrophic outcomes for mother and child. Time to diagnosis is often delayed by a low degree of suspicion, atypical presentation and difficulties investigating pregnant women.