Axel Gomez, Zhongjie Wang, Yue Xuan, Michael D Hope, David A Saloner, Julius M Guccione, Liang Ge, Elaine E Tseng
{"title":"Regional wall stress differences on tricuspid aortic valve-associated ascending aortic aneurysms.","authors":"Axel Gomez, Zhongjie Wang, Yue Xuan, Michael D Hope, David A Saloner, Julius M Guccione, Liang Ge, Elaine E Tseng","doi":"10.1093/icvts/ivab269","DOIUrl":"10.1093/icvts/ivab269","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (aTAAs) carry a risk of acute type A dissection. Elective repair guidelines are based on diameter, but complications often occur below diameter threshold. Biomechanically, dissection can occur when wall stress exceeds wall strength. Aneurysm wall stresses may better capture dissection risk. Our aim was to investigate patient-specific aTAA wall stresses associated with a tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) by anatomic region.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Patients with aneurysm diameter ≥4.0 cm underwent computed tomography angiography. Aneurysm geometries were reconstructed and loaded to systemic pressure while taking prestress into account. Finite element analyses were conducted to obtain wall stress distributions. The 99th percentile longitudinal and circumferential stresses were determined at systole. Wall stresses between regions were compared using one-way analysis of variance with post hoc Tukey HSD for pairwise comparisons.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Peak longitudinal wall stresses on aneurysms (n = 204) were 326 [standard deviation (SD): 61.7], 246 (SD: 63.4) and 195 (SD: 38.7) kPa in sinuses of Valsalva, sinotubular junction (STJ) and ascending aorta (AscAo), respectively, with significant differences between AscAo and both sinuses (P < 0.001) and STJ (P < 0.001). Peak circumferential wall stresses were 416 (SD: 85.1), 501 (SD: 119) and 340 (SD: 57.6) kPa for sinuses, STJ and AscAo, respectively, with significant differences between AscAo and both sinuses (P < 0.001) and STJ (P < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Circumferential and longitudinal wall stresses were greater in the aortic root than AscAo on aneurysm patients with a TAV. Aneurysm wall stress magnitudes and distribution relative to respective regional wall strength could improve understanding of aortic regions at greater risk of dissection in a particular patient.</p>","PeriodicalId":13621,"journal":{"name":"Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery","volume":"34 6","pages":"1115-1123"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10634398/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10749109","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anna Elisabeth Frick, Hendrik Jan Ankersmit, Ingrid Simonitsch-Klupp, Konrad Hoetzenecker
{"title":"Difficulties in the differential diagnosis of large solitary pulmonary cysts.","authors":"Anna Elisabeth Frick, Hendrik Jan Ankersmit, Ingrid Simonitsch-Klupp, Konrad Hoetzenecker","doi":"10.1093/icvts/ivab292","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivab292","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Large solitary cystic lesions are a rare finding, and their differential diagnosis includes cystic airspaces associated with lung cancer, congenital pulmonary airway malformations and pneumatoceles. Here, we report 3 consecutive patients who presented with a large solitary pulmonary cyst on chest computed tomography. All underwent surgical resection, and the histopathological findings were different in all 3 cases. In one patient, a very rare finding of squamous cell carcinoma arising from the cystic lesion in the left lower lobe was confirmed. Therefore, in carefully selected cases, pulmonary cysts should be resected based on the potential risk for recurrent infection and the development of malignancy.</p>","PeriodicalId":13621,"journal":{"name":"Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery","volume":"34 6","pages":"1157-1159"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9159412/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10300723","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jef Van den Eynde, Katrien Bomhals, Dries Noé, Xander Jacquemyn, Keir McCutcheon, Johan Bennett, John D Puskas, Wouter Oosterlinck
{"title":"Revascularization strategies in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease: a Bayesian network meta-analysis.","authors":"Jef Van den Eynde, Katrien Bomhals, Dries Noé, Xander Jacquemyn, Keir McCutcheon, Johan Bennett, John D Puskas, Wouter Oosterlinck","doi":"10.1093/icvts/ivab376","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivab376","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Treatment modalities for multivessel disease have rapidly evolved, yet the preferred strategy remains controversial. This meta-analysis compared outcomes after on-pump (ONCAB), off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or hybrid coronary revascularization. A comprehensive search for observational studies and randomized controlled trials published by August 2020 was performed. A Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted for early (<30 days) and late (>12 months) outcomes. A total of 119 studies were included (n = 700 458 patients). The main analysis was confined to 31 randomized controlled trials (n = 24 932 patients). PCI was associated with lower early mortality [odds ratio (OR) 0.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.31-0.79] and stroke (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.06-0.60) rates compared with ONCAB, whereas a reduced risk of early myocardial infarction was observed with OPCAB compared with ONCAB (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.32-0.83). Late target vessel revascularization and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events were both increased with PCI compared with ONCAB, OPCAB and hybrid coronary revascularization (by 127-203% and 59-64%, respectively), and late major adverse cardiac events were increased in PCI compared with ONCAB and OPCAB (by 64% and 59%). However, PCI was associated with a significantly lower risk of late stroke compared with ONCAB (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.52-0.89). Sensitivity analyses (i) including observational studies and (ii) limiting to studies with recent cohorts confirmed the findings of the main analysis. Surgical approaches for revascularization remain superior to PCI in patients with multivessel disease. Hybrid coronary revascularization might be viable for some patients, although more evidence from randomized controlled trials is warranted.</p>","PeriodicalId":13621,"journal":{"name":"Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery","volume":"34 6","pages":"947-957"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/2b/54/ivab376.PMC9159431.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10301210","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hai Dong, Minliang Liu, Tongran Qin, Liang Liang, Bulat Ziganshin, Hesham Ellauzi, Mohammad Zafar, Sophie Jang, John Elefteriades, Wei Sun
{"title":"Engineering analysis of aortic wall stress and root dilatation in the V-shape surgery for treatment of ascending aortic aneurysms.","authors":"Hai Dong, Minliang Liu, Tongran Qin, Liang Liang, Bulat Ziganshin, Hesham Ellauzi, Mohammad Zafar, Sophie Jang, John Elefteriades, Wei Sun","doi":"10.1093/icvts/ivac004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivac004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The study objective was to evaluate the aortic wall stress and root dilatation before and after the novel V-shape surgery for the treatment of ascending aortic aneurysms and root ectasia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Clinical cardiac computed tomography images were obtained for 14 patients [median age, 65 years (range, 33-78); 10 (71%) males] who underwent the V-shape surgery. For 10 of the 14 patients, the computed tomography images of the whole aorta pre- and post-surgery were available, and finite element simulations were performed to obtain the stress distributions of the aortic wall at pre- and post-surgery states. For 6 of the 14 patients, the computed tomography images of the aortic root were available at 2 follow-up time points post-surgery (Post 1, within 4 months after surgery and Post 2, about 20-52 months from Post 1). We analysed the root dilatation post-surgery using change of the effective diameter of the root at the two time points and investigated the relationship between root wall stress and root dilatation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean and peak max-principal stresses of the aortic root exhibit a significant reduction, P=0.002 between pre- and post-surgery for both root mean stress (median among the 10 patients presurgery, 285.46 kPa; post-surgery, 199.46 kPa) and root peak stress (median presurgery, 466.66 kPa; post-surgery, 342.40 kPa). The mean and peak max-principal stresses of the ascending aorta also decrease significantly from pre- to post-surgery, with P=0.004 for the mean value (median presurgery, 296.48 kPa; post-surgery, 183.87 kPa), and P=0.002 for the peak value (median presurgery, 449.73 kPa; post-surgery, 282.89 kPa), respectively. The aortic root diameter after the surgery has an average dilatation of 5.01% in total and 2.15%/year. Larger root stress results in larger root dilatation.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study marks the first biomechanical analysis of the novel V-shape surgery. The study has demonstrated significant reduction in wall stress of the aortic root repaired by the surgery. The root was able to dilate mildly post-surgery. Wall stress could be a critical factor for the dilatation since larger root stress results in larger root dilatation. The dilated aortic root within 4 years after surgery is still much smaller than that of presurgery.</p>","PeriodicalId":13621,"journal":{"name":"Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery","volume":"34 6","pages":"1124-1131"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9159430/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9216152","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yaroslav Ivanov, Tyson A Fricke, Edward Buratto, Igor E Konstantinov
{"title":"Long-term fate of bicuspid neoaortic valve after arterial switch operation.","authors":"Yaroslav Ivanov, Tyson A Fricke, Edward Buratto, Igor E Konstantinov","doi":"10.1093/icvts/ivac059","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivac059","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":13621,"journal":{"name":"Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery","volume":"34 6","pages":"1113-1114"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9159458/pdf/ivac059.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9220773","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Siddiqui, J. Whooley, A. Miceli, F. Bartolozzi, A. Soo
{"title":"Endoscopic vein harvesting: a guide for approaching difficult cases and assessing patients preoperatively","authors":"S. Siddiqui, J. Whooley, A. Miceli, F. Bartolozzi, A. Soo","doi":"10.1093/icvts/ivac142","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivac142","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Coronary artery bypass grafting remains the most commonly performed cardiac surgical procedure worldwide. The long saphenous vein still presides as the first choice conduit as a second graft in multivessel coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. Traditionally, the long saphenous vein has been harvested with an open approach which can potentially result in significant wound complications in certain circumstances. Endoscopic vein harvesting is a minimally invasive vein harvesting technique, which requires a single 2–3 cm incision and is associated with a quicker return to normal daily activities, decreased wound complications and better quality of life in the longer term. There is a learning curve associated with endoscopic vein harvesting adoption and there are certain patient factors that can prove to be challenging when adopting an endoscopic approach. This commentary aims to provide a concise guide of certain challenging patient factors that operators may encounter during endoscopic vein harvesting, and how to approach these patients in both the preoperative and intraoperative settings. We suggest that with appropriate planning and awareness of the challenging patient factors and problematic venous anatomy that exists, the operator can consistently formulate a strategy for ensuring a successful endoscopic harvest.","PeriodicalId":13621,"journal":{"name":"Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery","volume":"25 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78161077","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Takumi Kawase, Yosuke Takahashi, Asahiro Ito, H. Yoshida, Yosuke Sumii, K. Nishiya, N. Kishimoto, Kokoro Yamane, Yoshito Sakon, A. Morisaki, H. Fujii, Toshihiko Shibata
{"title":"Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiographic morphological evaluation of the tricuspid valve","authors":"Takumi Kawase, Yosuke Takahashi, Asahiro Ito, H. Yoshida, Yosuke Sumii, K. Nishiya, N. Kishimoto, Kokoro Yamane, Yoshito Sakon, A. Morisaki, H. Fujii, Toshihiko Shibata","doi":"10.1093/icvts/ivac145","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivac145","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract OBJECTIVES The morphology of the tricuspid valve (TV), particularly valves with two posterior leaflets, is attracting attention. The present study was performed to investigate the usefulness of three-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiographic data for morphological evaluation of the TV . METHODS Sixty patients underwent morphological evaluation of the TV by preoperative transoesophageal echocardiography followed by TV repair with median sternotomy, and each leaflet was measured intraoperatively. We analysed the TV morphology in 51 patients whose preoperative echocardiographic findings were consistent with intraoperative findings. RESULTS The mid-systolic echo data, which included the annulus diameter of each leaflet, were correlated with the intraoperative evaluation findings compared with those in the mid-diastole. The annulus and area of the posterior leaflet were larger in patients with two than one posterior leaflet valve (42.4 ± 13.5 vs 30.7 ± 9.1 mm, P < 0.001 and 327 ± 185 vs 208 ± 77 mm2, P = 0.006, respectively). In the severe tricuspid regurgitation patients, the annulus of the posterior leaflet was larger and the annulus of the anterior leaflet was smaller in patients with two than one posterior leaflet valve [posterior: 48 mm [95% confidence interval (CI), 41–54 mm] vs 36 mm (95% CI, 27–45 mm), respectively; P = 0.043 and anterior: 38 mm (95% CI, 33–42 mm) vs 46 mm (95% CI, 40–52 mm), respectively; P = 0.025]. CONCLUSIONS Patients who had a TV with two posterior leaflets had a larger annulus and area of the posterior leaflets. Preoperative three-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography is useful for the morphological evaluation of the TV.","PeriodicalId":13621,"journal":{"name":"Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery","volume":"6 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82477751","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
H. Kehara, K. Minakata, James R. McCarthy, G. Sunagawa, C. Mangukia, S. Brann, Huaqing Zhao, R. Boova, Y. Toyoda
{"title":"Early and late results of mitral valve repair with anterior leaflet patch augmentation","authors":"H. Kehara, K. Minakata, James R. McCarthy, G. Sunagawa, C. Mangukia, S. Brann, Huaqing Zhao, R. Boova, Y. Toyoda","doi":"10.1093/icvts/ivac144","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivac144","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine the long-term results of mitral valve (MV) repair with anterior leaflet patch augmentation. METHODS Between 2012 and 2015, 45 patients underwent MV repair using the anterior leaflet patch augmentation technique at our institution. The mean age of the patients was 65.9 ± 13.0 years (16 males). We reviewed the MV pathology and the surgical techniques used and assessed the early and late results. RESULTS In terms of MV pathology, 43 patients (95.6%) had pure mitral regurgitation (MR) and 2 patients (4.4%) had mixed mitral stenosis and MR. Rheumatic changes were seen in 18 patients (40.0%). Postoperative echocardiography showed that 95.6% of patients had none to mild MR. During a median follow-up period of 5.5 years (range 0.1–8.3 years), there were 8 late deaths. Nine patients (20%) required reoperation. The mean interval between the initial operation and redo operation was 3.7 ± 3.1 years (range: 0.4–7.8 years). The causes of reoperation included patch dehiscence (n = 4), progression of mitral stenosis (n = 2), band dehiscence (n = 1), patch enlargement (n = 1) and unknown (n = 1). Eight patients underwent MV replacement and 1 underwent repeat MV repair. The freedom from reoperation at 3 and 5 years was 85.7 ± 6.7% and 81.2 ± 7.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Anterior leaflet patch augmentation can provide excellent early results in the majority of the patients even in the presence of rheumatic pathology; however, we observed late reoperation in 20% of patients. Thus, this technique should be used with caution and careful follow-up with serial echocardiography is essential.","PeriodicalId":13621,"journal":{"name":"Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery","volume":"28 50","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"72536379","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Okada, M. Shimomura, S. Ishihara, S. Ikebe, T. Furuya, M. Inoue
{"title":"Clinical significance of postoperative pulmonary complications in elderly patients with lung cancer","authors":"S. Okada, M. Shimomura, S. Ishihara, S. Ikebe, T. Furuya, M. Inoue","doi":"10.1093/icvts/ivac153","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivac153","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract OBJECTIVES An increasing number of elderly patients with impaired immunity, malnutrition and comorbidities are considered surgical candidates. This study aimed to clarify the predictive factors and prognostic impact of postoperative pulmonary complications in elderly patients with lung cancer. METHODS This retrospective study included 188 patients (≥75 years) who underwent complete anatomical lung resection for non-small cell lung cancer between 2005 and 2019. Postoperative pulmonary complications graded ≥II in the Clavien-Dindo classification, occurring within 30-day post-surgery were evaluated. Multivariate logistic regression analyses and Cox proportional hazard models were used to analyse predictors and prognostic impact of complications. RESULTS Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was performed in 154 patients (81.9%). The 90-day mortality rate was 0.5%. Postoperative pulmonary complications including air leak, pneumonia, sputum retention, atelectasis, bronchopleural fistula and empyema occurred in 29 patients (15.4%). A lower prognostic nutritional index (<45) and longer operative time were independent predictive factors of pulmonary complications, with 33.3% of patients experiencing both factors. Following a median follow-up of 48 months, the 5-year overall and relapse-free survival rates were significantly worse in patients with pulmonary complications than in those without them (54.4% vs 81.5% and 41.2% vs 74.9%). Pulmonary complications were significantly associated with worse overall and relapse-free survival [hazard ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.97 (1.01–3.66), P = 0.047 and 2.35 (1.28–4.12), P = 0.007, respectively] along with pathologic stage and carcinoembryonic antigen levels. CONCLUSIONS Postoperative pulmonary complications are associated with a lower prognostic nutritional index and prolonged operative time; the complications are independent adverse prognostic factors in elderly patients.","PeriodicalId":13621,"journal":{"name":"Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery","volume":"94 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83879768","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Another way to skin a c(o)a(rc)t","authors":"Karthik V. Ramakrishnan","doi":"10.1093/icvts/ivac141","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivac141","url":null,"abstract":"In this issue of the journal, Koizumi and colleagues [1] have demonstrated the use of an L-shaped thoraco-sternotomy incision to perform resection and repair of a distal arch aneurysm with pseudo-coarctation in a 16-year old. This approach has been described extensively described for total aortic arch replacement in adults [2–4], and the authors have adapted this approach to successfully treat their patient. The authors must be congratulated on achieving an immensely satisfactory outcome with some out-of-the box thinking in a complex case. There is no doubt that the L-shaped incision provides excellent exposure for total arch replacement [3]. This incision combines the advantages of a median sternotomy as well as a thoracotomy. The extension makes the distal end of the anastomoses more easily accessible as compared to a sternotomy and facilitates the use of total body perfusion during the operation as the authors have demonstrated. Notwithstanding the unresolved debate regarding deep hypothermic circulatory arrest versus selective cerebral perfusion, the L-approach makes the operation easier than either a sternotomy or a thoracotomy alone irrespective of the bypass technique used. The cosmetic appearance is a small price to pay for achieving an excellent surgical outcome. In the paediatric world, I would probably think of using this technique in cases of complex redo coarctations.","PeriodicalId":13621,"journal":{"name":"Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery","volume":"146 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86850897","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}