ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Despite increases in female representation within the cardiothoracic surgical workforce and societal memberships, our previous work has demonstrated that at the national level, women's roles have remained stagnant among conference presentations and leadership opportunities. In this study, we sought to identify whether similar findings exist at the regional level, specifically within the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association (STSA). METHODS: STSA Annual Meeting Program Books from 2003, 2008, 2013, and 2018 were reviewed for women's representation among oral abstract authors, invited speakers, moderators, STSA leadership, and award recipients. Differences between the sexes and time points were assessed with χ2 analyses and t tests, respectively. RESULTS: In 2003, women accounted for 4 of 102 authors (3.9%), including 2 of 51 (3.9%) presenting and 2 of 51 (3.9%) senior roles. From 2003 to 2018, increases in female authorship were observed, with 18 of 85 (21.2%) presenting and 13 of 85 (15.3%) senior author positions filled by women (P = .017 and P = .072, respectively). Compared with men, women consistently accounted for fewer invited speakers (P < .050 for all years). Although women represented fewer session moderators (P < .050 for all years), a significant increase was observed over time, from 0 of 2 (0.0%) in 2003 to 18 of 105 (17.1%) in 2018 (P = .009). Compared with 2003, women also increased significantly among STSA committee members in 2018 (0 of 7 [0.0%] vs 6 of 40 [15.0%], P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Over the last 15 years, women have been increasingly represented among STSA Annual Meeting presenting authors, session moderators, and committee members. However, opportunity for greater emphasis on diversity and inclusion exists, particularly among invited speakers and STSA leadership.
Subject(s)
Physicians, Women , Thoracic Surgery , Authorship , Awards and Prizes , Female , Humans , Leadership , Societies, Medical , WorkforceABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Vasoactive medications are commonly administered for afterload reduction and arterial hypertension treatment in patients after cardiac surgery. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to determine the effects of sodium nitroprusside and nicardipine on hemodynamics and cardiac performance in this population. METHODS: A systematic review of published manuscripts was performed to identify studies of patients who received sodium nitroprusside and nicardipine as part of the treatment for arterial hypertension or afterload reduction after cardiac surgery. A meta-analysis was then conducted to determine the effects of sodium nitroprusside and nicardipine on hemodynamics and cardiac performance. The following parameters were captured: blood pressure, heart rate, right atrial pressure, systemic vascular resistance, and stroke volume. RESULTS: In total, five studies with 571 patients were pooled for these analyses. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial blood pressure were similar in both groups. The cardiac index was greater with nicardipine while mean pulmonary artery pressure was lower with sodium nitroprusside. CONCLUSION: Nicardipine and sodium nitroprusside have similar abilities in reducing afterload in the postoperative cardiac population. Statistically significant differences were found in pulmonary artery pressure and cardiac index. It may be beneficial to consider nicardipine for afterload reduction in patients with a low cardiac index.
