Yan TD, Bannon PG
Ann Cardiothorac Surg 2012 Sep;1(3):264
PMID: 23977507
Tian DH, Wan B, Bannon PG, Misfeld M, Lemaire SA, Kazui T, Kouchoukos NT, Elefteriades JA, Bavaria J, Coselli JS, Griepp RB, Mohr FW, Oo A, Svensson LG, Hughes GC, Yan TD
Ann Cardiothorac Surg 2013 Mar;2(2):148-58
PMID: 23977575
INTRODUCTION: A recent concern of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) in aortic arch surgery has been its potential association with increased risk of coagulopathy, elevated inflammatory response and end-organ dysfunction. Recently, moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest (MHCA) with selective antegrade circulatory arrest (SACP) seeks to negate potential hypothermia-related morbidities, while maintaining adequate neuroprotection. The present meta-analysis aims to compare postoperative outcomes in arch surgery using DHCA or MHCA+SACP as neuroprotective strategies.
METHODS: Electronic searches were performed using six databases from their inception to January 2013. Two reviewers independently identified all relevant studies comparing DHCA with MHCA+SACP, as defined by a recent hypothermia temperature consensus. Data were extracted and meta-analyzed according to pre-defined clinical endpoints.
RESULTS: Nine comparative studies were identified for inclusion in the present meta-analysis. Stroke rates were significantly lower in patients undergoing MHCA+SACP (P=0.0007, I(2)=0%), while comparable results were observed with temporary neurological deficit, mortality, renal failure or bleeding. Infrequent and inconsistent reporting of systemic outcomes precluded analysis of other systemic outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS: The present meta-analysis indicated the superiority of MHCA+SACP in terms of stroke risk.
Cao C, Tian D, Manganas C, Matthews P, Yan TD
Ann Cardiothorac Surg 2012 Nov;1(4):428-37
PMID: 23977533
BACKGROUND: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive form of cancer arising from the pleural mesothelium. Trimodality therapy (TMT) involving extrapleural pneumonectomy with neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy and adjuvant radiotherapy is a recognized treatment option with a curative intent. Despite encouraging results from institutional studies, TMT in the treatment of MPM remains controversial. The present systematic review aims to assess the safety and efficacy of TMT in the current literature.
METHODS: A systematic review was performed using five electronic databases from 1 January 1985 to 1 October 2012. Studies were selected independently by two reviewers according to predefined selection criteria. The primary endpoint was overall survival. Secondary endpoints included disease-free survival, disease recurrence, perioperative morbidity and length of stay.
RESULTS: Sixteen studies were included for quantitative assessment, including one randomized controlled trial and five prospective series. Median overall survival ranged from 12.8-46.9 months. Disease-free survival ranged from 10-16.3 months. Perioperative mortality ranged from 0-12.5%. Overall perioperative morbidity ranged from 50-82.6% and the average length of stay was 9-14 days.
CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes of patients who underwent TMT in the current literature appeared to be inconsistent. Four prospective series involving a standardised treatment regimen with neoadjuvant chemotherapy indicated encouraging results based on intention-to-treat analysis. However, a small study assessing the feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled trial for TMT versus conservative treatment reported poor short- and long-term outcomes for patients who underwent pneumonectomy. Overall, results of the present systematic review suggest TMT may offer acceptable perioperative outcomes and long-term survival in selected patients treated in specialized centers.
Robinson BM
Ann Cardiothorac Surg 2012 Nov;1(4):491-6
PMID: 23977542
This paper reviews the aetiology, distribution and projected future incidence of malignant mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure is the most thoroughly established risk factor. Debate continues regarding the relative importance of the different asbestos fibre types and the contribution of Simian virus 40 (SV40). Disease incidence varies markedly within and between countries. The highest annual rates of disease, approximately 30 case per million, are reported in Australia and Great Britain. The risk of disease increases with age and is higher in men. Time from asbestos exposure to disease diagnosis is on average greater than 40 years. Non-occupational asbestos exposures contribute an increasing proportion of disease. With the exception of the United States, incidence continues to increase. In developed countries peak incidence is expected to occur before 2030.
Padang R, Bannon PG, Jeremy R, Richmond DR, Semsarian C, Vallely M, Wilson M, Yan TD
Ann Cardiothorac Surg 2013 Jan;2(1):83-91
PMID: 23977563
Cao C, Ang SC, Wolak K, Peeceeyen S, Bannon P, Yan TD
Ann Cardiothorac Surg 2013 Jul;2(4):401-7
PMID: 23977615
BACKGROUND: Currently, saphenous vein (SV) and radial artery (RA) are the most commonly used conduits in combination with the left internal mammary artery for conventional coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). The present meta-analysis aimed to assess the existing evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare the angiographic outcomes of these two conduits at mid-term follow-up.
METHODS: Four relevant and updated RCTs with follow-up beyond 3 years were identified using five electronic databases. Angiographic endpoints included complete occlusion, ‘string sign’, graft failure and complete patency.
RESULTS: The incidence of complete occlusion was significantly lower after using RA compared to SV [6.7% vs. 17.2%; odd ratio (OR), 0.36; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.23-0.58; P<0.0001]. The angiographic 'string sign' was significantly more likely to be identified after using RA compared to SV (3.1% vs. 0%; OR, 5.65; 95% CI, 1.21-26.39; P=0.03). Graft failure was significantly lower after RA compared to SV (9.6% vs. 18.8%; OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.30-0.72; P=0.0005). Complete graft patency was found to be significantly higher after RA compared to SV (88.6% vs. 75.8%; OR, 3.19; 95% CI, 1.42-7.16; P=0.005).
CONCLUSIONS: Results of the present meta-analysis suggest that selected patients with severe, proximal stenosis may have superior angiographic outcomes at mid-term follow-up after using RA compared to SV for CABG. However, RA is associated with a significantly higher incidence of the ‘string sign’. Future studies should aim to collect additional data on symptomatic outcomes.
Seco M, Edelman JJ, Yan TD, Wilson MK, Bannon PG, Vallely MP
Ann Cardiothorac Surg 2013 Jul;2(4):408-18
PMID: 23977616
BACKGROUND: Advancements in surgical robotic technology over the last two decades have enabled coronary artery bypass grafting to be performed totally endoscopically, and have the potential to significantly change clinical practice in the future.
METHODS: A systematic review of studies reporting clinical outcomes of total endoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting (TECABG) was performed.
RESULTS: 14 appraised studies included 880 beating heart TECABGs, 360 arrested heart TECABGs, 633 one-vessel operations and 357 two-vessel operations. Patients were generally low-risk. There was a significant learning curve. The weighted means for short-term beating heart and arrested heart TECABG results respectively were: intraoperative exclusion rate of 5.7% and 1.9%, intraoperative conversion rate of 5.6% and 15.0%, all-cause mortality of 1.2% and 0.4%, stroke of 0.7% and 0.8%, myocardial infarction of 0.8% and 1.8%, new onset atrial fibrillation of 10.7% and 5.1% and post-operative reintervention rate of 2.6% and 2.3%. The overall rate of short term postoperative graft patency for beating heart and arrested heart TECABG was 98.3% and 96.4% respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate patient selection was important in minimizing the risk of intraoperative and postoperative complications. Short-term outcomes of both beating and arrested heart TECABG were acceptable, but results so far have been heterogeneous. There were fewer studies reporting intermediate to long-term outcomes, but results were encouraging, and further investigation and development of the procedure is warranted.
Byrom MJ, Ng MK, Bannon PG
Ann Cardiothorac Surg 2013 Jul;2(4):435-43
PMID: 23977620
No currently available conduit meets the criteria for an ideal coronary artery bypass graft. The perfect conduit would combine the availability and complication-free harvest of a synthetic vessel with the long-term patency performance of the internal mammary artery. However, current polymer conduits suffer from inelastic mechanical properties and especially poor surface biocompatibility, resulting in early loss of patency as a coronary graft. Approaches to manufacture an improved conduit using new polymers or polymer surfaces, acellular matrices, or cellular constructs have to date failed to achieve a commercially successful alternative. Elastin, by mimicking the native extracellular environment as well as providing elasticity, provides the ‘missing link’ in vascular conduit design and brings new hope for realization of the perfect conduit.
Vallely MP, Edelman JJ, Wilson MK
Ann Cardiothorac Surg 2013 Jul;2(4):570-7
PMID: 23977638
Bilateral internal mammary artery (BIMA) grafts are used for coronary revascularisation by only a minority of surgeons, despite a growing body of evidence suggesting improved survival when compared to use of only one internal mammary artery with additional saphenous vein grafts. Herein we review the evidence supporting revascularisation with BIMA and suggest reasons why the majority of surgeons use only one internal mammary artery. We discuss technical considerations, various graft combinations and the use of BIMA to facilitate anaortic off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB).