Heart patients with mechanical aortic valves often need blood thinners for life. These meds, called vitamin K antagonists, stop dangerous clots from forming on the new valve. The usual target for blood thinning, measured by INR, is 2. 5. But some patients have extra risks. If they have atrial fibrillation, a history of clots, or a weak heart pump, they might need a ...
Heart rhythm issues frequently accompany heart valve problems. When someone undergoes surgery to repair a mitral valve, doctors often address any irregular heartbeat simultaneously. This combined approach is known as surgical ablation. However, there's limited information on how patients fare in the long term after these dual procedures. A team of researchers set ou...
In Germany, a big push is happening to get patients more involved in their own care before weight-loss surgery. This isn't just about losing weight. It's about changing habits for good. A recent study looked at how well patients are being prepared for this life-changing procedure. The focus is on helping patients take control of their health. This means making lifes...
After surgery, some people experience confusion. This is not a small issue. It can lead to longer hospital stays. It might also cause lasting problems with the brain. The big question is: why do doctors struggle to treat it? Doctors try different medicines. But these treatments are not always effective. They are not backed by strong research. This makes the situatio...
People often talk about how tough it is for moms to work in cardiothoracic (CT) surgery. They focus on the challenges and how it might affect family life. But what if there are some good things that come from it too? Let's look at the positive ways this career can shape family dynamics. First, being a CT surgeon often means having a flexible schedule. This can be a ...
Surgery on the brain is tricky. It's like trying to navigate a maze while blindfolded. But now, there's a new tool called the Surgical Theater system. It's like giving surgeons a map and a pair of 3D glasses. This system takes flat X-ray pictures and turns them into 3D models. It's like going from a black-and-white photo to a virtual reality world. This helps doctor...
When older adults have surgery that isn't related to the heart, there's a chance they might get confused afterwards. This isn't just a small issue. It can lead to bigger problems and make their stay in the hospital longer. What's more, different hospitals see this happening at different rates. This variation is something that needs more attention. This confusion, ca...
Ever wondered how technology is changing knee surgery? A recent study looked into how robots can help with total knee replacements. The goal was to see if these high-tech helpers could accurately resurface the lower part of the thigh bone and keep the natural angle of the knee joint. The study used special X-rays, real-time measurements during surgery, and 3D scans ...
A study looked at two ways to fix a kidney problem in babies. The problem is called ureteropelvic junction obstruction, or UPJO. This happens when the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder gets blocked. The study compared two types of surgery. One is called laparoscopic pyeloplasty, or LP. The other is robot-assisted single-port laparoscopic pyelopl...
Young kids with early onset scoliosis sometimes need special surgeries to help their spines grow straight. These surgeries use implants that are meant to be temporary, but what happens when these implants fail and need to be removed? Not much is known about what happens to these kids after the implants are taken out. When these implants are removed, the spine can st...