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Cardiac surgical patients often have associated comorbidities that can impede normal wound healing; however, statin therapy has the potential to improve this process through augmentation of the normal inflammatory response. Outcomes included a 30% earlier rate of wound epithelialization and an 80% greater wound-breaking strength combined with faster wound healing rates (13.0 days vs 18.7 days, p < 0.0001). Inhibition of farnesyl pyrophosphate may hold a key role in the mediation of such advantageous effects. This systematic review suggests that there is sufficient evidence to warrant completion of a human trial to assess the effects of statins on wound healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thoracic surgical oncology is a time-sensitive, high-resource, complex surgical speciality to which coronavirus has posed a unique challenge. In response to the evolving situation in mainland Europe, our department rapidly established a coronavirus disease 2019–free site to maintain elective cancer surgery. This necessitated a strict admission pathway and perioperative patient management. It resulted in the maintenance of a high-volume, high-quality thoracic surgical oncology program with no coronavirus disease 2019–positive cases to date. Maintaining satisfactory training levels among surgical and anesthetic trainees has also been achieved. We suggest that this model could be adapted to local resource capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transfusion-related acute lung injury is a potentially fatal complication of blood and plasma transfusion; however, the incidence relating to platelet use in cardiac surgery is uncommon. In the presence of normal left ventricular function, an acute increase in pulmonary capillary permeability leads to a high protein content pulmonary edema, which leads to a dramatic reduction in pulmonary function due to acute lung injury and also intravascular fluid depletion. The clinical picture is acute and the condition is associated with considerable mortality. Although the exact mechanism of transfusion-related acute lung injury is unknown, it may be due to an antibody-mediated reaction caused by preformed leukocyte antibodies or activation of inflammatory mediators. The signs, diagnosis, and therapeutic interventions are discussed with reference to a case report. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Interventional cardiology provides a valuable nonoperative approach for the modern management of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in patients with non-complex congenital heart disease. We describe a patient with a right-sided aortic arch who developed severe bronchomalacia after PDA device closure that necessitated extensive surgical repair. Consequently, we advise that in infants with a right-sided aortic arch and PDA inserting into the right pulmonary artery, device closure is challenging due to the potential risk of bronchial compression and subsequent development of bronchomalacia. Consideration should be given to surgical closure or use of a softer duct occlusion device., (Copyright © 2013 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)