Ahmed, Magdy M. El‐Sayed

A 53-year-old male patient was presented to our institution with the clinical picture of biventricular failure. The echocardiogram revealed congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries, dextrocardia with situs solitus, atrioventricular discordance and ventriculoatrial discordance, severe systemic and mitral valves regurgitation, and severe pulmonary hypertension (mean pulmonary artery pressure: 51 mm Hg). He underwent heart–lung transplant. He was discharged on postoperative day 25 with left ventricular ejection fraction of 60%–65%, and with oxygen independency.

Background. Retained hemothorax (RH) is a common problem in cardiothoracic and trauma surgery. We aimed to determine the optimum agitation technique to enhance thrombus dissolution and drainage and to apply the technique to a porcine-retained hemothorax. Methods. Three agitation techniques were tested: flush irrigation, ultrasound, and vibration. We used the techniques in a benchtop model with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and pig hemothorax with tPA. We used the most promising technique vibration in a pig hemothorax without tPA. Statistics. We used 2-sample t tests for each comparison and Cohen d tests to calculate effect size (ES). Results. In the benchtop model, mean drainages in the agitation group and control group and the ES were flush irrigation, 42%, 28%, and 2.91 ( P = .10); ultrasound, 35%, 27%, and .76 ( P = .30); and vibration, 28%, 19%, and 1.14 ( P = .04). In the pig hemothorax with tPA, mean drainages and the ES of each agitation technique compared with control (58%) were flush irrigation, 80% and 1.14 ( P = .37); ultrasound, 80% and 2.11 ( P = .17); and vibration, 95% and 3.98 ( P = .06). In the pig hemothorax model without tPA, mean drainages of the vibration technique and control group were 50% and 43% (ES = .29; P = .65). Discussion. In vitro studies suggested flush irrigation had the greatest effect, whereas only vibration was significantly different vs the respective controls. In vivo with tPA, vibration showed promising but not statistically significant results. Results of in vivo experiments without tPA were negative. Conclusion. Agitation techniques, in combination with tPA, may enhance drainage of hemothorax.

Objective To test whether use of the radial stapler facilitates lung-conserving wedge resections compared to the linear stapler. Methods A video-assisted thoracoscopic simulation lab was established to compare wedge resections performed only with linear staplers to wedge resections performed with the option of a radial stapler. Preserved sheep lungs were used. The target was a 0.5 cm mark on an ovoid surface of the lung equidistant from all edges. Seven fully trained cardiothoracic surgeons participated. They were instructed to obtain at least a 1 cm margin in all directions from the mark. The surgeons were allowed to work from only 2 preassigned ports. Each resected specimen was weighed. The resection margin was the shortest distance measured from the edge of the mark to the staple line. The mass-to-margin ratio was defined as the mass of the specimen divided by the length of the margin. The results were analyzed using a t-test for 2 independent means. Results The 17 radial resections demonstrated a significantly better mass-to-margin ratio (3.31 [SD = 1.19]) compared to the 11 linear resections (4.75 [SD = 1.32], t[26] = 3, P = 0.006). Conclusions In a thoracoscopic simulation, the option of a radial stapler allowed for a better mass-to-margin resection of a small target from a broad surface of the lung than a linear stapler-only option.

ABSTRACT Recent years have witnessed evolution of lung allocation strategies to prioritize sicker recipients. In the pre-transplant period, this has translated into increased utilization of invasive extracorporeal or mechanical ventilatory support as a bridge to lung transplantation. The morbidity associated with these strategies warrants consideration to less invasive respiratory support modalities. Herein, we present a case highlighting successful bridge to lung transplantation with a relatively non-invasive negative pressure ventilator.

Background and aim of the study: Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (cc-TGA) is a rare type of congenital heart disease and heart-lung transplant (HLTx) is the potential solution if the patient developed severe biventricular failure.. Aim of the study is to present a challenging case of cc-TGA with dextrocardia managed by HLTx. Methods: A 53-year-old male patient was presented to our institution with biventricular failure. The echocardiogram revealed cc-TGA, dextrocardia with situs solitus, atrioventricular discordance and ventriculoatrial discordance, severe systemic and sub-pulmonary atrioventricular valves regurgitation, and severe pulmonary hypertension. He underwent heart-lung transplant. Results: The patient was discharged on postoperative day 25 on room air with normal left ventricular ejection fraction. Conclusion: This case highlights the complexity of preoperative and intraoperative management of cc-TGA, and demonstrates the challenges which the surgeons and anesthesiologists may face during the procedure of HLTx.

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis is a rare systemic disorder of unknown etiology that affects young women almost exclusively. Chylous effusions are known to be associated with lymphangioleiomyomatosis and may be difficult to treat. We present the case of a 37-year-old female who received bilateral lung transplantation for lymphangioleiomyomatosis complicated by refractory chylothorax and chylous ascites, ultimately controlled through repeated, open surgical procedures and percutaneous lymphatic embolization interventions. The combined surgical and interventional radiological approach, while not novel in their own right, suggests that a multi-modal interventional approach may be required in refractory cases.

Abstract Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a rare mesenchymal neoplasm. It usually originates from the parietal pleura. SFT originating from the esophagus is exceedingly rare and even more so as a malignancy. We report a 57-year-old patient with a malignant 18 cm SFT of the esophagus that was treated with esophagectomy through a left thoracoabdominal incision. We discuss his surgical and oncologic management.

AbstractBackgroundSevere primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is the leading cause of early death after heart transplant.AimTo examine the outcomes of heart transplant recipients who received venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA‐ECMO) for severe PGD.MethodsWe reviewed electronic health records of adult patients who underwent heart transplant from November 2005 through June 2015. We defined severe PGD according to International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation consensus statements.ResultsOf 1030 heart transplant patients, 31 (3%) had severe PGD and required VA‐ECMO. The mean (range) age was 59 (43‐69) years. Fifteen patients (48%) underwent prior sternotomy and 10 (32%) received a left ventricular assist device as a bridge to transplant. Severe PGD manifested as failure to wean from cardiopulmonary bypass in 20 patients (65%) and as severe hemodynamic instability in the immediate postoperative period in 10 (32%), including cardiac arrest in 3 (10%). Twenty‐five patients (81%) were successfully weaned from VA‐ECMO, and 19 (61%) were discharged; the other 12 (39%) died.ConclusionsAlthough VA‐ECMO is a common method for providing mechanical circulatory support to patients with PGD, multicenter studies are needed to assess factors associated with successful outcomes and improved survival of these patients.