A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was 'In patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, for single or multivessel disease, does minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) or off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) provide the superior outcome including a reduction in morbidity and mortality?'. A total of 187 papers were found using the reported search, of which 12 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, date, journal and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated. It was found that compared to OPCAB, MIDCAB surgery can offer decreased intensive care unit length of stay (4.5-57.4 h vs 5.2-52.7 h) and total hospital length of stay (4.5-8.5 days vs 5.2-12 days), with 1 paper showing a decrease in mortality at 1 year (3% vs 14%). However, there were several papers that showed significant risks with MIDCAB surgery in patients with either single or multivessel disease. These include increased risk of incomplete revascularization (29% vs 0%), significant early complications (22.5 vs 0%), urgent reintervention (16% vs 0%), repeat revascularization events (12.2% vs 3.7%), progression of native disease (4.8% vs 0.9%), rehospitalization by 3 months (20% vs 2%) and postoperative infarction (2.9% vs 1.45%). These risks did not translate to an increase in early mortality (0-1% vs 0-1.6%) or late mortality (0-3% vs 0-14%) in papers that included mid-term follow up. However, they do represent significant potential risks that cannot be overlooked when considering the use of MIDCAB. We conclude that MIDCAB is associated with greater morbidity and reintervention compared to OPCAB via sternotomy, but both techniques are equivalent in terms of operative and mid-term mortality.
Background Pulmonary carcinoids are rare neoplasms, accounting for approximately 1%–2% of all lung malignancies. A retrospective analysis was undertaken of all patients who underwent surgical resection of pulmonary carcinoid tumours across multiple institutions in Melbourne, Australia. Methods From May 2000 through April 2020, 241 patients who underwent surgical resection of pulmonary carcinoid tumours were retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics, pathologic data, and long-term outcomes were recorded. Results Median age was 57.7 years and the majority of patients were female (58.9% vs. 41.1%). Typical carcinoid was present in 77.1%. Histological subtype was associated with several factors. Atypical carcinoid was more likely to have larger tumour size and nodal involvement. Overall survival for typical carcinoid at 5, 10, and 15 years was 98%, 95%, and 84%, and for atypical carcinoid was 88%, 82%, and 62%, respectively. Histological subtype and age were found to be independent predictors of overall survival, with worse outcomes for atypical and those above 60 years of age. Disease-free survival was related to sublobar resection (p < 0.001, sub-hazard ratio (SHR): 6.89), lymph node involvement (p = 0.022, SHR: 3.18), and atypical histology (p < 0.001, SHR: 9.89). Conclusion Excellent long-term outcomes can be achieved following surgical resection of pulmonary carcinoids. Atypical histology and lymph node involvement are significant prognostic factors, and sublobar resection should not be considered in patients with either of the above features. Typical carcinoid tumour without nodal involvement may be appropriate for sublobar resection. Typical and atypical carcinoid tumours should be considered distinct disease entities, and as such treated accordingly.
A best evidence topic was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was ‘Do patients with centrifugal flow HeartMate 3 (HM3) or HeartWare left ventricular assist device (HVAD) have better outcomes compared to those with the axial flow HeartMate II (HMII)?’ Altogether 1791 papers were found using the reported search, of which 21 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated. In publications reporting on MOMENTUM 3 randomized control trial (RCT), HM3 had better outcomes compared to HMII with a lower rate of pump thrombosis (1.1% vs 15.7%), stroke events (10.1% vs 19.2%) and ischaemic stroke (6.3% vs 13.4%) at 2-year follow-up. Markers of quality of life and functional capacity were comparable between the 2 devices at 6 months. In publications reporting on ENDURANCE RCTs, compared to HMII, patients with HVAD had poorer outcomes with an increased rate of sepsis (23.6% vs 15.4%), stroke (29.7% vs 12.1%) and right heart failure (38.5% vs 26.8%) postoperatively. Outcomes were improved for the HVAD group in a more recent RCT where strict blood pressure control was instigated postoperatively. Outcomes from retrospective studies comparing HMII with HVAD varied, with some publications reporting higher rates of right ventricular assist device use (29% vs 15%), gastrointestinal bleeding (30% vs 0%), cerebrovascular accident (44% vs 10%), transient ischaemic attack (5% vs 2%) and higher cumulative risk of infection and haemorrhagic cerebrovascular accident with HVAD. This is not consistent across these studies, and 9 studies including a systematic review reported no difference in any outcomes. In conclusion, patients with centrifugal flow HM3 have better outcomes than those with axial flow HMII. Although there is some variability in outcomes in retrospective studies, patients with centrifugal flow HeartWare HVAD have similar outcomes to those with axial flow HMII when strict blood pressure control is instigated postoperatively. By inference, centrifugal flow HM3 would appear to be the superior device, although all conclusions are based on 1 large (industry-sponsored) RCT.
A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol addressing the question ‘for post‐cardiac surgery atrial fibrillation (AF), do clinical outcomes differ between rate or rhythm control strategies?’ Altogether, 2174 papers were found using the reported searches, of which 5 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. Hospital length of stay ranged from 5.0 to 13.2 days for rate control and 5.2 to 10.3 days for rhythm control. Freedom from AF at follow up was achieved in 84.2–91 and 84.2–96% in rate and rhythm control groups respectively. Minimal serious adverse events were noted in all studies analysed and there was no difference between rate and rhythm control groups. We conclude that in the management of post‐cardiac surgery, AF, rate control and rhythm control are equivalent in terms of hospital length of stay, freedom from arrhythmia at follow up and complication rates.
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