Principal diagnostic features of paediatric foreign body aspiration.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to identify the most common and important features within the presenting history, clinical examination and chest radiograph that are associated with foreign body (FB) aspiration in the paediatric population, to support rationalised decision making in regards to proceeding with diagnostic bronchoscopy. METHODS: A retrospective notes review was conducted of 70 patients over a 12-year period at our tertiary referral centre. Their presenting history, clinical and radiographic signs were documented and univariate logistic regression model used to calculate odds ratios. RESULTS: The main features identified within our cohort with a positive FB finding at bronchoscopy were history of a cough (OR 5.1, p = 0.008) and radiographic evidence of hyperinflation or air trapping (OR 7.1, p = 0.016). Zero patients with a FB presented with only a positive history in the absence of other clinical or radiological signs. History of a witnessed choking episode neither increased or decreased the likelihood of as aspirated FB (OR 1, p = 0.967). CONCLUSIONS: We have identified two principal features, as described above, which are associated with paediatric FB aspiration. Reliance on a positive clinical history alone, but specifically the history of a witnessed choking episode, did not support the presence of a FB and other associated signs need to be considered in deciding to proceed to bronchoscopy.

A systematic review of left ventricular cardio-endoscopic surgery.

Better visualisation, accurate resection and avoidance of ventriculotomy associated with use of endoscopic devices during intracardiac surgery has led to increasing interest in their use. The possibility of combining a cardio-endoscopic technique with either minimally invasive or totally endoscopic cardiac surgery provides an incentive for its further development. Several devices have been used, however their uptake has been limited due to uncertainty around their impact on patient outcomes. A systematic review of the literature identified 34 studies, incorporating 54 subjects undergoing treatment of left ventricular tumours, thrombus or hypertrophic myocardium using a cardio-endoscopic technique. There were no mortalities (0%; 0/47). In 12 studies, the follow-up period was longer than 30 days. There were no post-operative complications apart from one case of atrial fibrillation (2.2%; 1/46). Complete resection of left ventricular lesion was achieved in all cases (100%; 50/50). These successful results demonstrate that the cardio-endoscopic technique is a useful adjunct in resection of left ventricular tumours, thrombus and hypertrophic myocardium. This approach facilitates accurate resection of pathological tissue from left ventricle whilst avoiding exposure related valvular damage and adverse effects associated with ventriculotomy. Future research should focus on designing adequately powered comparative randomised trials focusing on major cardiac and cerebrovascular morbidity outcomes in both the short and long-term. In this way, we may have a more comprehensive picture of both the safety and efficacy of this technique and determine whether such devices could be safely adopted for routine use in minimal access or robotic intra-cardiac surgery.

Vivien Theodore Thomas (1910-1985): An African-American laboratory technician who went on to become an innovator in cardiac surgery.

Vivien Theodore Thomas (1910-1985) was an African-American laboratory technician and instructor of surgery at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore. He was born as the grandson of a slave in Lousiana, working as a carpenter and subsequently as a laboratory technician after the great depression and the loss of his savings derailed his plans to become a doctor. In his role as a laboratory technician, he overcame challenging personal circumstances to become an innovator in paediatric cardiac surgery, despite having no formal college education. He played an important role in assisting Alfred Blalock and Helen Taussig in the development of the 'Blalock-Taussig' shunt, a procedure used to improve the survival of children with cyanotic congenital heart defects. He also contributed to major breakthroughs in research covering a spectrum of disorders such as traumatic shock, coarctation of the aorta and transposition of the great arteries. He acted as a teacher and mentor to a generation of surgical residents and technicians who went on to become leaders in their field across the USA. A television film based on his life was premiered by HBO in 2004 titled 'Something the Lord made'.

A systematic review of the safety and efficacy of distal coronary artery anastomotic devices.

Interest in minimally invasive and off-pump cardiac surgical techniques has promoted the development of automated distal anastomotic devices (DADs) to facilitate construction of coronary artery anastomosis. Several DADs have been proposed for potential use in coronary surgery. However, a number of technical failures and uncertainty around both short-term morbidity and long-term patency have limited the generalized uptake of these devices. A systematic literature search identified 28 studies, incorporating 970 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting using a DAD. Eight different devices were identified including Heartflo, St Jude, U-clip, vessel closure system, C-port, magnetic vascular positioner and coronary anastomosis coupler. Thirty-day mortality, cardiac-specific mortality and myocardial infarction were equal between DADs and hand-sewn cases (1.3, 0.3 and 0.8%, respectively). The overall proportion of postoperative haemorrhage was higher in the anastomotic device group (2.3%) than in the group with hand-sewn anastomoses (1.5%) although not statistically significant. Overall graft patency was 97.2% at <1 month, 94.6% at 1-3 months and 92.3% at >3 months. Of the currently available systems, the U-clip device was found to provide the best overall postoperative outcomes, which included a patency of 96.1% at >3months. The current literature is limited by its predominantly observational study design and lack of directly comparative studies. Furthermore, inter-study variation in patient selection, anticoagulation strategies and follow-up periods prevents quantitative comparison. Future research necessitates multicentre randomized, controlled studies to provide a direct comparison of current and future anastomotic device systems with established hand-sewn techniques in both the short and long term.

A systematic review of the safety and efficacy of distal coronary artery anastomotic devices in MIDCAB and TECAB surgery.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) and totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass (TECAB) techniques may improve recovery and reduce hospital stay following coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). However, working in a limited space with indirect visualisation would greatly benefit from a simple, high-quality and reproducible automated distal anastomotic method. Several devices have been developed; however, their uptake has been limited due to uncertainty around their impact on patient outcomes. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature identified six studies, incorporating 139 subjects undergoing MIDCAB or TECAB surgery using a distal anastomotic device. RESULTS: The overall 30-day mortality was 0.7% (1/137). No cardiac specific mortality was observed. For each outcome of perioperative myocardial infarction (MI), postoperative stroke and haemorrhage, only a single event was observed for each (n=1/136, 1/138 and 1/136, respectively). The overall device failure rates were low, with the use of additional sutures only reported in a single case with the Magnetic Vascular Port (MVP) device. Anastomotic time ranged from a mean of 3.32 minutes with the MVP device to 20 minutes with the C-Port device. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the overall acceptable early outcomes of distal anastomotic devices for use in minimally invasive coronary bypass surgery. Future research should focus on designing adequately powered, comparative, randomised trials, focusing on major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) outcomes in both the short and long-term, with clear case-by-case reasons for device failure and a comparison of anastomotic times. In this way, we may determine whether such devices will facilitate the minimal access and robotic coronary procedures of the future.

Does coronary endarterectomy technique affect surgical outcome when combined with coronary artery bypass grafting?

A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether open coronary endarterectomy (CE) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) compares favourably with closed endarterectomy and CABG in the myocardial revascularization of patients presenting with diffuse coronary artery disease (DCAD). One hundred and fifty-five articles were identified by a systematic search, of which 10 best answered the clinical question incorporating a total of 1203 patients (915 open-CE, 288 closed-CE). All were observational studies. Two were comparative and the remaining eight were case series. The authors, journal, date, country of publication, patient group, study type, relevant outcomes and results were recorded. The open technique involved removal of atheroma under direct vision through an arteriotomy along the length of diffusely stenotic artery, whereas the closed technique involved a smaller arteriotomy and removal via traction on the proximal plaque. The overall postoperative mortality rate associated with open-CE ranged from 2.3 to 10.5%. Both comparative studies demonstrated at least equivalent 30-day mortality between open-CE and closed-CE. Notably, the four studies with highest overall postoperative mortality used a saphenous vein (SV) graft in the majority of patients. Furthermore, two-vessel CE was associated with higher mortality rates. Among these best evidence series, the overall incidence rate of postoperative myocardial infarction (MI) was 7.3% (88/1203). Whether open-CE or the use of internal thoracic artery (ITA) conduit over SV affects postoperative MI rates remains inconclusive. Mid-term and long-term graft patency, and 3-, 4- and 5-year survival rates are all improved when open-CE is combined with the ITA bypass conduit, when compared with closed-CE or open-CE using another conduit. In summary, open-CE with CABG in the setting of DCAD may carry lower 30-day mortality than closed-CE with CABG. Utilization of ITA appears to improve mortality, whereas the SV conduit and multivessel CE may worsen clinical outcome. Furthermore, the ITA may also improve graft patency when combined with open-CE. There is currently insufficient evidence to determine the effect of open-CE on MI incidence. Future large, prospective studies are now required with defined subgroups, stratifying technique, number and territory of the endarterectomy and conduit type in order to determine the patients in whom open-CE may confer the greatest benefit.

Adjunct coronary endarterectomy increases myocardial infarction and early mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting: a meta-analysis.

Coronary endarterectomy (CE) may provide a useful adjunct to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with extensive, diffuse coronary atheroma. However, concerns regarding its morbidity and mortality have created uncertainty as to the role of CE in the current era. The aim of this study was therefore to quantitatively summarize the short- and long-term outcomes of CE. Twenty observational studies were identified by systematic literature search, incorporating 54 440 patients (7366 CABG + CE; 47 074 CABG only), which were analysed using random-effects modelling. Heterogeneity, subgroup analysis, quality scoring and risk of bias were assessed. Primary end-points were 30-day mortality and perioperative and postoperative myocardial infarction (MI). Secondary end-points were postoperative morbidity, intensive care unit (ITU) stay, hospital stay and long-term graft patency. Adjunctive CE significantly increased 30-day mortality [odds ratios (OR) = 1.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.49-1.92], P <0.00001], perioperative (OR = 2.10, 95% CI [1.82-2.43], P <0.00001) and postoperative MI (OR = 3.34, 95% CI [1.74-6.41], P = 0.0003) when compared with CABG alone. Furthermore, postoperative ventricular arrhythmias, pulmonary complications, renal failure and inotrope use were significantly greater in patients undergoing adjunct CE. CE also increased ITU and hospital stay and reduced angiographic patency at the last follow-up (OR = 0.57, 95% CI [0.36-0.88]). Increased 30-day morbidity and mortality continues to raise concerns over the safety of adjunct CE. Furthermore, the procedure can be associated with worse long-term graft patency. To better determine whether CE should remain a viable adjunct to CABG, novel studies must focus on collecting prospective data with homogeneous inclusion criteria for CE as well as isolating outcomes for different coronary vessels and standardizing postoperative anticoagulation.

Should we consider off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in patients undergoing coronary endarterectomy?

A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting with coronary endarterectomy (OPCAB-CE) is a safe and feasible method of myocardial revascularization in patients presenting with diffuse coronary artery disease. Seventy-one papers were identified by a systematic search, of which nine were judged to best answer the clinical question. All were observational studies. Of these, two were comparative and the remaining seven were case series. The authors, journal, date, country of publication, patient group, study type, relevant outcomes and results were tabulated. In total, these 9 studies included 341 patients (225 OPCAB-CE, 116 ONCAB-CE) undergoing coronary endarterectomy in combination with coronary artery bypass grafting. CE was performed either by an open method whereby the atheroma is removed through an arteriotomy made along the length of the stenosis or by a closed method whereby the atheroma is removed by gentle traction through a small arteriotomy made over a proximal area of the plaque. Overall, OPCAB-CE was associated with a low perioperative mortality ranging from zero in smaller case series to 2.8% in the largest study (n = 70). Two comparative studies demonstrate at least equivalent 30-day mortality between OPCAB-CE and ONCAB-CE, although the sample sizes are small. The overall incidence of postoperative myocardial infarction (MI) was 6.1% (11/180) and seems comparable between OPCAB-CE and ONCAB-CE. Notably, both postoperative MI and mortality appeared higher in patients undergoing multiple endarterectomies performed using a closed technique and CE to the right coronary artery was associated with increased postoperative MI. In summary, OPCAB-CE in the setting of diffuse coronary artery disease appears both safe and feasible, yielding comparable results to ONCAB-CE. Where possible, open arteriotomy with on-lay patch angioplasty may improve postoperative outcomes. Large, prospective database studies are now required with explicit sub-group criteria and stratification to number, territory and technique of endarterectomy in order to isolate the patients in whom OPCAB-CE may confer the greatest benefit.

Surgical treatment of innominate artery and aortic aneurysm: a case report and review of the literature.

Innominate artery (IA) aneurysms represent 3% of all arterial aneurysms. Due to the risk of thromboembolic complications and spontaneous rupture, surgical repair is usually recommended on an early elective basis. We present the case of 81-year-old Caucasian male presenting with atypical anterior chest pain secondary to a large innominate artery aneurysm who underwent successful open surgical repair at our institution. In our experience, open correction via median sternotomy with extension into the right neck provides excellent exposure and facilitates rapid reconstruction with good short and long-term outcomes. Minimally invasive and endovascular approaches provide emerging alternatives to open IA aneurysm repair, however further research is required to better define optimal patient selection criteria and determine the long-term outcomes of these novel therapies.

Imbalance of desmoplastic stromal cell numbers drives aggressive cancer processes.

Epithelial tissues have sparse stroma, in contrast to their corresponding tumours. The effect of cancer cells on stromal cells is well recognized. Increasingly, stromal components, such as endothelial and immune cells, are considered indispensable for cancer progression. The role of desmoplastic stroma, in contrast, is poorly understood. Targeting such cellular components within the tumour is attractive. Recent evidence strongly points towards a dynamic stromal cell participation in cancer progression that impacts patient prognosis. The role of specific desmoplastic stromal cells, such as stellate cells and myofibroblasts in pancreatic, oesophageal and skin cancers, was studied in bio-engineered, physiomimetic organotypic cultures and by regression analysis. For pancreatic cancer, the maximal effect on increasing cancer cell proliferation and invasion, as well as decreasing cancer cell apoptosis, occurs when stromal (pancreatic stellate cells) cells constitute the majority of the cellular population (maximal effect at a stromal cell proportion of 0.66-0.83), accompanied by change in expression of key molecules such as E-cadherin and ß-catenin. Gene-expression microarrays, across three tumour types, indicate that stromal cells consistently and significantly alter global cancer cell functions such as cell cycle, cell-cell signalling, cell movement, cell death and inflammatory response. However, these changes are mediated through cancer type-specific alteration of expression, with very few common targets across tumour types. As highlighted by these in vitro data, the reciprocal relationship of E-cadherin and polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (PIGR) expression in cancer cells could be shown, in vivo, to be dependent on the stromal content of human pancreatic cancer. These studies demonstrate that context-specific cancer-stroma crosstalk requires to be precisely defined for effective therapeutic targeting. These data may be relevant to non-malignant processes where epithelial cells interact with stromal cells, such as chronic inflammatory and fibrotic conditions.

Recurrent indigestion in a young adult.

Bochdalek hernias (BHs) arise due to congenital diaphragmatic defect and can result in gross displacement of abdominal tissues into the thorax. Although they are uncommon in occurrence, they usually present as serious respiratory distress in infants. In the adult population, they are asymptomatic and only detected incidentally. In this report, we present the case of a 26-year-old male who acutely presented with severe epigastric pain radiating to the back and deranged vital signs as a result of incorrect previous diagnoses. A large left diaphragmatic hernia containing his pancreatic tail, spleen, stomach and other intra-abdominal organs was confirmed by CT scan, together occupying a third of the hemithorax. Although not common, diagnostics of BHs should be considered in patients presenting with acute abdomen. A plain chest X-ray displaying diminished left diaphragmatic outline or signs of mediastinal shift should raise suspicion. Previous normal chest X-ray can be deceptive and does not rule out a diaphragmatic hernia. Herein, we also review the literature for previously reported acute presentation of 11 similar cases in adults and highlight the value of including BH as one of the differential diagnoses.