Does novel measurement of relative aortic size predict rupture of thoracic aortic aneurysms?
This study confirms that (1) thoracic aortic aneurysm is a lethal disease, (2) relative aortic size is more important than absolute aortic size in predicting complications, and (3) a novel measurement of relative aortic size allows for the stratification of patients into three levels of risk, enabling appropriate surgical decision-making.
Increased postoperative peak creatine kinase MB level, especially when 20 times or more of the upper limit of normal, indicates increased risk of severe postoperative left ventricular dysfunction and mortality within 30 days of coronary artery bypass grafting. High peak enzyme level is a stronger predictor of adverse outcomes than is postoperative Q-wave myocardial infarction in this population.