Risk models are widely used to predict outcomes after cardiac surgery. Not only is risk modelling applied in the assessment of the relative impact of specific risk factors on surgical outcomes, but also in patient counselling, the selection of treatment options, comparison of postoperative results, and quality-improvement programmes. At least 19 risk-stratification models exist for open-heart s...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Surgery is considered the best treatment option for patients with early stage lung cancer. Nevertheless, lung resection may cause a variable functional impairment that could influence the whole cardio-respiratory system with potential life-threatening complications. The aim of the present study is to review the most relevant evidences about the evaluation of surgical risk befo...

The first Guidelines of European Society of Cardiology (ESC) for the management of syncope, were published in 2001, and later reviewed in 2004 (1). In March 2008, the ESC Committee for Practice Guidelines considered that there were enough new data to justify production of new guidelines. It recognised the need to produce a comprehensive document that is addressed not only to cardiologists but t...

The role of the revised cardiac risk index in risk stratification has recently been challenged by studies reporting on the superior predictive ability of pre-operative B-type natriuretic peptides. We found that in 850 vascular surgical patients initially risk stratified using B-type natriuretic peptides, reclassification with the number of revised cardiac risk index risk factors worsened risk s...

background: malnutrition has been linked to poor outcomes after elective joint arthroplasty, but the risk of unplanned postoperative intensive care unit (icu) admission in malnourished arthroplasty patients is unknown. methods: 1098 patients were followed as part of a prospective risk stratification program at a tertiary, high-volume arthroplasty center. chronic malnutrition was defined as preo...

BACKGROUND Risk stratification in medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) has traditionally relied on standardized anatomic staging systems that, despite providing valuable prognostic information, do not adequately predict the risk of persistent or recurrent disease. As dynamic risk stratification has been demonstrated to be clinically valuable in nonmedullary thyroid cancer, we adapted our response to ...