Roberto Lorusso

Professor

Prof. Roberto Lorusso studied medicine at the University of Milan, Italy and graduated in 1987 magna cum Laude. He worked at Maastricht UMC+ in 1990 at CTC research and in 1996 and 1997 at the academic Hospital of Leuven. In 1998, he successfully obtained his PhD degree at Maastricht University (thesis titled 'Cardiac reinforcement and assistance by electrically stimulated skeletal muscle').

Currently, Prof. Roberto Lorusso is staff member at the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Maastricht UMC+, Director of the Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS) Program, Full Professor of Cardiac Surgery and ECLS at the Maastricht University and CARIM. His research group is focussed on mechanical circulatory support, minimally invasive valve surgery, coronary surgery, cardiac valve disease, extracorporeal circulation, acute myocardial infarction complications, cardiac valve disease, preclinical and clinical research.

Prof. Roberto Lorusso won the Gasperis-Donatelli Prize in 1989, a Young Investigator Award in 1995 and the Lillehei Award in 1998 by the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery.  He was Scientific Secretary of the Italian Society for Cardiac Surgery in 2007 and 2008, President of Euro-ELSO (2015-2017), and he is currently Editor-in-Chief of the Multi-Media Manual of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery as well as member of the ELSO Executive Committee.

He has almost 300 publications in PubMed, and has given more than 300 presentations at international meetings as invited speaker. He is Principal Investigator of international multicentre clinical studies and grant receiver from several funding bodies for clinical as well as pre-clinical investigations.

Department of Cardiothoracic surgery
P. Debyelaan 25, 6229 HX Maastricht 
PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht
Room number: D.2037
T: +31(0)43 387 60 32

  • 2020
    • Ong, J., Zhang, J. J. Y., Lorusso, R., MacLaren, G., & Ramanathan, K. (2020). Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in pregnancy and the postpartum period: a systematic review of case reports. International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia, 43, 106-113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijoa.2020.04.004
    • Calafiore, A. M., Lorusso, R., Kheirallah, H., Alsaied, M. M., Alfonso, J. J. R. A., Di Baldassare, A., Gallina, S., Gaudino, M., & Di Mauro, M. (2020). Late tricuspid regurgitation and right ventricular remodeling after tricuspid annuloplasty. Journal of Cardiac Surgery, 35(8), 1891-1900. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocs.14840
    • Worku, E., Gill, D., Brodie, D., Lorusso, R., Combes, A., & Shekar, K. (2020). Provision of ECPR during COVID-19: evidence, equity, and ethical dilemmas. Critical Care, 24(1), Article 462. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13054-020-03172-2
    • Olson, T. L., O'Neil, E. R., Ramanathan, K., Lorusso, R., MacLaren, G., & Anders, M. M. (2020). Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in peripartum cardiomyopathy: A review of the ELSO Registry. International Journal of Cardiology, 311, 71-76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2020.03.006
    • Suverein, M. M., Delnoij, T. S. R., Lorusso, R., Bol, M. E., Weerwind, P. W., Roekaerts, P. M. H. J., Maessen, J. G., & van de Poll, M. C. G. (2020). National and reporting differences of pre-hospital factors in extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation studies. Netherlands Journal of Critical Care, 28(4), 154-161. https://njcc.nl/artikel/3404
    • Shekar, K., Badulak, J., Peek, G., Boeken, U., Dalton, H. J., Arora, L., Zakhary, B., Ramanathan, K., Starr, J., Akkanti, B., Antonini, M. V., Ogino, M. T., Raman, L., Barret, N., Brodie, D., Combes, A., Lorusso, R., MacLaren, G., Müller, T., ... ELSO Guideline Working Group (2020). Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Coronavirus Disease 2019 Interim Guidelines: A Consensus Document from an International Group of Interdisciplinary Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Providers. Asaio Journal, 66(7), 707-721. https://doi.org/10.1097/MAT.0000000000001193
    • Lorusso, R., Di Mauro, M., Foschi, M., & Calafiore, A. M. (2020). Commentary: Mater artium necessitas (necessity is the mother of invention) Comment. JTCVS Techniques, 2, 86-87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xjtc.2020.03.018
    • Mariani, S., Napp, L. C., Lo Coco, V., Delnoij, T. S. R., Luermans, J. G. L. M., ter Bekke, R. M. A., Timmermans, C., Li, T., Dogan, G., Schmitto, J. D., Maessen, J., Maesen, B., & Lorusso, R. (2020). Mechanical circulatory support for life -threatening arrhythmia: A systematic review. International Journal of Cardiology, 308, 42-49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2020.03.045
    • Konstantinides, S., Meyer, G., Becattini, C., Bueno, H., Geersing, G.-J., Harjola, V.-P., Huisman, M., Humbert, M., Jennings, C. S., Jimenez, D., Kucher, N., Lang, I. M., Lankeit, M., Lorusso, R., Mazzolai, L., Meneveau, N., Ainle, F. N., Prandoni, P., Pruszczyk, P., ... ESC Scientific Document Group (2020). Guía ESC 2019 para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la embolia pulmonar aguda. Revista Espanola de Cardiologia, 73(6), 497.e1-497.e58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.recesp.2019.12.030
    • Lorusso, R., Miceli, A., Gelsomino, S., Lio, A., Parise, O., Montisci, A., Vizzardi, E., Pacini, D., Di Bartolomeo, R., Renzulli, A., Serraino, F. G., Comoglio, C., Liberi, R., Martinelli, G., Sciangula, A., Mazzola, A., Faragalli, F., De Bonis, M., Taramasso, M., ... Glauber, M. (2020). Mitral Valve Replacement with a Third Generation Porcine Valve: an Italian Multicentered Study. Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 109(6), 1865-1872. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.athoracsur.2019.08.111
    • Jiritano, F., Serraino, G. F., ten Cate, H., Fina, D., Matteucci, M., Mastroroberto, P., & Lorusso, R. (2020). Platelets and extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation in adult patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Intensive Care Medicine, 46(6), 1154-1169. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-020-06031-4
    • Kowalewski, M., Fina, D., Stomka, A., Raffa, G. M., Martucci, G., Lo Coco, V., De Piero, M. E., Ranucci, M., Suwalski, P., & Lorusso, R. (2020). COVID-19 and ECMO: the interplay between coagulation and inflammation-a narrative review. Critical Care, 24(1), Article 205. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13054-020-02925-3
    • Slomka, A., Kowalewski, M., Zekanowska, E., Suwalski, P., Lorusso, R., & Eikelboom, J. W. (2020). Plasma Levels of Protein Z in Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 120(5), 815-822. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0040-1708878
    • Swol, J., Lorusso, R., Di Nardo, M., Vercaemst, L., Finney, S. J., Jones, T. J., Barrett, N. A., & Belohlavek, J. (2020). ECLS Training and Simulation - Evaluation of the 8th Educational Corner of the EuroELSO Congress 2019 Held in Barcelona. Perfusion, 35, 86-92. https://doi.org/10.1177/0267659120909001
    • Matteucci, M., Kowalewski, M., Fina, D., Jiritano, F., Meani, P., Raffa, G. M., Aldobayyan, I., Beghi, C., Maessen, J., & Lorusso, R. (2020). Extracorporeal life support for phaeochromocytoma-induced cardiogenic shock: a systematic review. Perfusion, 35, 20-28. https://doi.org/10.1177/0267659120908413
    • Ramanathan, K., Tan Chuen Seng, Rycus, P., Anders, M., Lorusso, R., Zhang, J. J. Y., & MacLaren, G. (2020). Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Pregnancy: An Analysis of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry. Critical Care Medicine, 48(5), 696-703. https://doi.org/10.1097/CCM.0000000000004269
    • Fina, D., Matteucci, M., Jiritano, F., Meani, P., Kowalewski, M., Ballotta, A., Ranucci, M., & Lorusso, R. (2020). Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation without systemic anticoagulation: a case-series in challenging conditions. Journal of Thoracic Disease, 12(5), 2113-2119. https://doi.org/10.21037/jtd.2020.04.54
    • Malfertheiner, M. V., Broman, L. M., Vercaemst, L., Belliato, M., Aliberti, A., Di Nardo, M., Swol, J., Barrett, N., Pappalardo, F., Belohlavek, J., Taccone, F. S., Millar, J. E., Crawford, L., Lorusso, R., Suen, J. Y., & Fraser, J. F. (2020). Ex vivo models for research in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: a systematic review of the literature. Perfusion, 35, 38-49. https://doi.org/10.1177/0267659120907439
    • Bartlett, R. H., Ogino, M. T., Brodie, D., McMullan, D. M., Lorusso, R., MacLaren, G., Stead, C. M., Rycus, P., Fraser, J. F., Belohlavek, J., Salazar, L., Mehta, Y., Raman, L., & Paden, M. L. (2020). Initial ELSO Guidance Document: ECMO for COVID-19 Patients with Severe Cardiopulmonary Failure. Asaio Journal, 66(5), 472-474. https://doi.org/10.1097/MAT.0000000000001173
    • Lepper, P. M., Barrett, N. A., Swol, J., Lorusso, R., Di Nardo, M., Belliato, M., Belohlavek, J., & Broman, L. M. (2020). Perception of prolonged extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in Europe: an EuroELSO survey. Perfusion, 35(1SI), 81-85. https://doi.org/10.1177/0267659120909740
    • Lorusso, R., & Belohlavek, J. (2020). Supporting the circulation, but injuring the brain: the (still unsolved) threat and paradox of extracorporeal life support. Perfusion, 35, 5-7. https://doi.org/10.1177/0267659120909080
    • Zakhary, B., Vercaemst, L., Mason, P., Lorusso, R., & Brodie, D. (2020). How I manage drainage insufficiency on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Critical Care, 24(1), Article 151. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13054-020-02870-1
    • Kowalewski, M., Raffa, G., Zielinski, K., Meani, P., Alanazi, M., Gilbers, M., Heuts, S., Natour, E., Bidar, E., Schreurs, R., Delnoij, T., Driessen, R., Sels, J. W., van de Poll, M., Roekaerts, P., Maessen, J., Suwalski, P., & Lorusso, R. (2020). Baseline surgical status and short-term mortality after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for post-cardiotomy shock: a meta-analysis. Perfusion, 35(3), 246-254. Article 0267659119865122. https://doi.org/10.1177/0267659119865122
    • Kowalewski, M., Malvindi, P. G., Zielinski, K., Martucci, G., Slomka, A., Suwalski, P., Lorusso, R., Meani, P., Arcadipane, A., Pilato, M., & Raffa, G. M. (2020). Left Ventricle Unloading with Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Cardiogenic Shock. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 9(4), Article 1039. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9041039
    • Lorusso, R., Folliguet, T., Shrestha, M., Meuris, B., Kappetein, A. P., Roselli, E., Klersy, C., Nozza, M., Verhees, L., Larracas, C., Goisis, G., & Fischlein, T. (2020). Sutureless versus Stented Bioprostheses for Aortic Valve Replacement: The Randomized PERSIST-AVR Study Design. Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, 68(2), 114-123. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0038-1675847
    • Gozdek, M., Zielinski, K., Pasierski, M., Matteucci, M., Fina, D., Jiritano, F., Meani, P., Raffa, G. M., Malvindi, P. G., Pilato, M., Paparella, D., Slomka, A., Kubica, J., Jagielak, D., Lorusso, R., Suwalski, P., Kowalewski, M., & Thoracic Research Centre (2020). Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement with Self-Expandable ACURATE neo as compared to Balloon-Expandable SAPIEN 3 in Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis: Meta-analysis of Randomized and Propensity-Matched Studies. J. Clin. Med. 2020, 9, 397. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 9(3), Article 861. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9030861
    • Lorusso, R. (2020). Education and Training in Extracorporeal Life Support: The Structured, Visionary, and Needed Mission of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization ... Not Forgetting Problem-Based Learning, Ethics, and Leadership. Critical Care Medicine, 48(3), 435-437. https://doi.org/10.1097/CCM.0000000000004196
    • Lorusso, R., & Corradi, D. (2020). Erratum to what you do not know, you do not recognize…and you do not improve future patient care…particularly in extracorporeal life support (ECLS) patients. Journal of Thoracic Disease, 12(3), 1157-1157. https://doi.org/10.21037/jtd.2019.11.39
    • Jiritano, F., Lo Coco, V., Matteucci, M., Fina, D., Willers, A., & Lorusso, R. (2020). Temporary Mechanical Circulatory Support in Acute Heart Failure. Cardiac Failure Review, 6, Article e01. https://doi.org/10.15420/cfr.2019.02
    • Gozdek, M., Ratajczak, J., Arndt, A., Zielinski, K., Pasierski, M., Matteucci, M., Fina, D., Jiritano, F., Meani, P., Raffa, G. M., Malvindi, P. G., Pilato, M., Paparella, D., Slomka, A., Landes, U., Kornowski, R., Kubica, J., Lorusso, R., Suwalski, P., ... Thoracic Research Centre (2020). Transcatheter aortic valve replacement with Lotus and Sapien 3 prosthetic valves: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Thoracic Disease, 12(3), 893-906. https://doi.org/10.21037/jtd.2019.12.107
    • Matteucci, M., Ferrarese, S., Cantore, C., Massimi, G., Facetti, S., Mantovani, V., Cappabianca, G., Fina, D., Lorusso, R., & Beghi, C. (2020). Early Aortic Paravalvular Leak After Conventional Cardiac Valve Surgery: A Single-Center Experience. Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 109(2), 517-525. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.athoracsur.2019.05.078
    • Lorusso, R., Raffa, G. M., Heuts, S., Lo Coco, V., Meani, P., Natour, E., Bidar, E., Delnoij, T., & Loforte, A. (2020). Pulmonary artery cannulation to enhance extracorporeal membrane oxygenation management in acute cardiac failure. Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, 30(2), 215-222. https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivz245
    • Konstantinides, S., Meyer, G., Becattini, C., Bueno, H., Geersing, G.-J., Harjola, V.-P., Huisman, M., Humbert, M., Jennings, C. S., Jimenez, D., Kucher, N., Lang, I. M., Lankeit, M., Lorusso, R., Mazzolai, L., Meneveau, N., Ainle, F. N., Prandoni, P., Pruszczyk, P., ... Luis Zamorano, J. (2020). 2019 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of acute pulmonary embolism developed in collaboration with the European Respiratory Society (ERS). European Heart Journal, 41(4), 543-603. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehz405
    • Kowalewski, M., Raffa, G. M., Zielinski, K., Alanazi, M., Gilbers, M., Heuts, S., Natour, E., Bidar, E., Schreurs, R., Delnoij, T., Driessen, R., Sels, J.-W., van de Poll, M., Roekaerts, P., Meani, P., Maessen, J., Suwalski, P., & Lorusso, R. (2020). The impact of Centre's heart transplant status and volume on in-hospital outcomes following extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for refractory post-cardiotomy cardiogenic shock: a meta-analysis. BMC Cardiovascular disorders, 20(1), Article 10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-019-01317-y
    • De Piero, M. E., Lo Coco, V., Taccone, F. S., Belliato, M., Broman, L. M., Malfertheiner, M. V., & Lorusso, R. (2020). Has Venoarterial ECMO Been Underutilized in COVID-19 Patients?Innovations: Technology and Techniques in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, 15(4), 317-321. https://doi.org/10.1177/1556984520939076
  • 2019
    • Lorusso, R., Moscarelli, M., Di Franco, A., Grazioli, V., Nicolini, F., Gherli, T., De Bonis, M., Taramasso, M., Villa, E., Troise, G., Scrofani, R., Antona, C., Mariscalco, G., Beghi, C., Miceli, A., Glauber, M., Ranucci, M., De Vincentiis, C., & Gaudino, M. (2019). Association Between Coronary Artery Bypass Surgical Techniques and Postoperative Stroke. Journal of the American Heart Association, 8(24), Article 013650. https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.119.013650
    • Jiritano, F., Santarpino, G., Serraino, G. F., Ten Cate, H., Matteucci, M., Fina, D., Mastroroberto, P., & Lorusso, R. (2019). Peri-procedural thrombocytopenia after aortic bioprosthesis implant: A systematic review and meta-analysis comparison among conventional, stentless, rapid-deployment, and transcatheter valves. International Journal of Cardiology, 296, 43-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2019.07.056
    • Matteucci, M., Fina, D., Jiritano, F., Blankesteijn, W. M., Raffa, G. M., Kowalewski, M., Beghi, C., & Lorusso, R. (2019). Corrigendum to: ‘Sutured and sutureless repair of postinfarction left ventricular free-wall rupture: a systematic review’ [Eur J Cardiothorac Surg; doi:10.1093/ejcts/ezz101]. European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 56(5), 1023-1023. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejcts/ezz150
    • Lorusso, R., Raffa, G. M., Kowalewski, M., Alenizy, K., Sluijpers, N., Makhoul, M., Brodie, D., McMullan, M., Wang, I.-W., Meani, P., MacLaren, G., Dalton, H., Barbaro, R., Hou, X., Cavarocchi, N., Chen, Y.-S., Thiagarajan, R., Alexander, P., Alsoufi, B., ... Whitman, G. (2019). Structured review of post-cardiotomy extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: Part 2-pediatric patients. Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, 38(11), 1144-1161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healun.2019.07.004
    • Lorusso, R., Raffa, G. M., Alenizy, K., Sluijpers, N., Makhoul, M., Brodie, D., McMullan, M., Wang, I.-W., Meani, P., MacLaren, G., Kowalewski, M., Dalton, H., Barbaro, R., Hou, X., Cavarocchi, N., Chen, Y.-S., Thiagarajan, R., Alexander, P., Alsoufi, B., ... Whitman, G. J. R. (2019). Structured review of post-cardiotomy extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: part 1-Adult patients. Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, 38(11), 1125-1143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healun.2019.08.014
    • Matteucci, M., Fina, D., Jiritano, F., Blankesteijn, W. M., Raffa, G. M., Kowalewski, M., Beghi, C., & Lorusso, R. (2019). Sutured and sutureless repair of postinfarction left ventricular free-wall rupture: a systematic review. European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 56(5), 840-848. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejcts/ezz101
    • Rolfes, C., Muellenbach, R. M., Lepper, P. M., Spangenberg, T., Swol, J., Lorusso, R., Weber, K., Foerstner, S., Lotz, C., & Belohlavek, J. (2019). Targeted temperature management in patients undergoing extracorporeal life support after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: an EURO-ELSO 2018 annual conference survey. Perfusion, 34(8), 714-716. https://doi.org/10.1177/0267659119847033
    • Habib, G., Erba, P. A., Iung, B., Donal, E., Cosyns, B., Laroche, C., Popescu, B. A., Prendergast, B., Tornos, P., Sadeghpour, A., Oliver, L., Vaskelyte, J.-J., Sow, R., Axler, O., Maggioni, A. P., Lancellotti, P., Granada, Mahia, M., Ressi, S., ... EURO-ENDO Investigators (2019). Clinical presentation, aetiology and outcome of infective endocarditis. Results of the ESC-EORP EURO-ENDO (European infective endocarditis) registry: a prospective cohort study. European Heart Journal, 40(39), 3222-3232B. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehz620
    • Di Mauro, M., Foschi, M., Dato, G. M. A., Centofanti, P., Barili, F., Della Corte, A., Della Ratta, E., Cugola, D., Galletti, L., Santini, F., Salsano, A., Rinaldi, M., Mancuso, S., Cappabianca, G., Beghi, C., De Vincentiis, C., Biondi, A., Livi, U., Sponga, S., ... Italian Group of Research for Outcome in Cardiac Surgery (GIROC) (2019). Surgical treatment of isolated tricuspid valve infective endocarditis: 25-year results from a multicenter registry. International Journal of Cardiology, 292, 62-67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2019.05.020
    • Di Mauro, M., Foschi, M., Tancredi, F., Lorusso, R., & Calafiore, A. M. (2019). Commentary: Shall we stop looking for the lord of the ring?Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 158(4), 1071-1072. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcvs.2019.01.044
    • Montalti, A., Belliato, M., Gelsomino, S., Nalon, S., Matteucci, F., Parise, O., de Jong, M., Makhoul, M., Johnson, D. M., & Lorusso, R. (2019). Continuous monitoring of membrane lung carbon dioxide removal during ECMO: experimental testing of a new volumetric capnometer. Perfusion, 34(7), 538-543. https://doi.org/10.1177/0267659119833233
    • Gaudino, M. F., Lorusso, R., Ohmes, L. B., Narula, N., McIntire, P., Gargiulo, A., Bucci, M. R., Leonard, J., Rahouma, M., Di Franco, A., He, G.-W., Girardi, L. N., Tranbaugh, R. F., & Di Lorenzo, A. (2019). Open radial artery harvesting better preserves endothelial function compared to the endoscopic approach. Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, 29(4), 561-567. https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivz129
    • Zieliński, K., Kołtowski, Ł., Kalińczuk, Ł., Mintz, G. S., Kochman, J., Witkowski, A., Pręgowski, J., Motyl, D., Lorusso, R., Suwalski, P., & Kowalewski, M. (2019). In‑hospital outcomes of rotational versus orbital atherectomy during percutaneous coronary intervention: a meta‑analysis. Kardiologia Polska, 77(9), 846-852. https://doi.org/10.33963/KP.14919
    • Konstantinides, S. V., Meyer, G., Becattini, C., Bueno, H., Geersing, G.-J., Harjola, V.-P., Huisman, M. V., Humbert, M., Jennings, C. S., Jiménez, D., Kucher, N., Lang, I. M., Lankeit, M., Lorusso, R., Mazzolai, L., Meneveau, N., Áinle, F. N., Prandoni, P., Pruszczyk, P., ... The Task Force for the diagnosis and management of acute pulmonary embolism of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) (2019). 2019 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of acute pulmonary embolism developed in collaboration with the European Respiratory Society (ERS): The Task Force for the diagnosis and management of acute pulmonary embolism of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). European Respiratory Journal, 54(3), Article 1901647. https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.01647-2019
    • Pasierski, M., Zielinski, K., Raffa, G. M., Lazar, H., Lorusso, R., Suwalski, P., & Kowalewski, M. (2019). Devil is in the detail-how to critically analyze studies designed to assess effectiveness of topical antibiotics in preventing sternal wound infections?Journal of Thoracic Disease, 11, S1861-S1864. https://doi.org/10.21037/jtd.2019.09.01