Emphasizing the role of cardiothoracic surgeons within the global health context: a call to action.

Introduction: Worldwide, cardiovascular thoracic diseases (ischemic heart diseases) are the second most common global cause of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs. Globally, 17 million lives are lost annually, and 80% occur in LMICs as a result of CVD, and 75% of the world lacks access to cardiac surgery with some regions (Sub-Saharan Africa) having 0.07 pediatric cardiac surgeons and 0.

Discontinuation of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors before non-cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis.

Background And Aims: The best management approach for renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitor use before surgery is controversial. Some studies have suggested that continuation could increase the risk of clinically significant peri-operative hypotension and, thus, organ injury. By contrast, others believe that withholding them significantly increases the risk of severe hypertension and heart failure.