Procedural Readmissions Following TAVR Incidence and Outcomes
In September 2023, researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital at Harvard Medical School (Divisions of Cardiac Surgery and Cardiovascular Medicine) and the Washington University School of Medicine (Division of Cardiac Surgery) examined the incidence and outcomes in patients receiving procedural readmissions after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The complete manuscript by Paige Newell, Hoda Javadikasgari,…
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Octopus Circulatory System: A Closer Look
Octopuses have three hearts, and their cardiovascular system is quite unique among animals. Two of the hearts are called branchial hearts, and the third is called the systemic heart. Branchial Hearts (Gill Hearts): These two hearts are responsible for pumping blood through the gills, where it is oxygenated. Octopuses have gills for breathing, and these hearts…
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Longitudinal Strain Measured After Cardiopulmonary Bypass Offers Highest Prognostic Ability for Postoperative Complications
Researchers from Quantitative Health Sciences (Departments of Intensive Care and Resuscitation, Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology, and Quantitative Health Sciences) and the Cleveland Clinic (Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology) investigated which measurement of global longitudinal strain (before cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), after CPB, or the change in GLS) served as the strongest predictor of postoperative complications. The complete manuscript by Brett J….
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Stress ulcer prophylaxis in the cardiac surgery intensive care unit
A recent report by van Diepen and colleagues, as featured in the latest edition of the Journal, presents the efficacy and safety aspects of Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) compared to Histamine-2 Receptor Blockers (H2RBs). These drugs are used for stress ulcer prophylaxis in patients in cardiac surgery intensive care units. The study is of particular…
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Secretariat : The Horse with a Big Heart
Secretariat was a legendary Thoroughbred racehorse that achieved widespread acclaim for its remarkable racing career. Foaled on March 30, 1970, Secretariat is best known for winning the Triple Crown in 1973, which includes victories in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. Secretariat’s Triple Crown victory remains one of the most celebrated accomplishments in…
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Research Developments in Pediatric Intensive Care Nutrition
Researchers from the University Medical Center Rotterdam (Research Intelligence & Strategy Unit, Department of Pediatrics, and Department of Pediatric Surgery), The Hospital for Sick Children (Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology), and the University of Toronto (Department of Pediatrics and Department of Nutritional Sciences) investigated the most prominent research topics in the field of pediatric intensive care…
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European Guidelines for Patient Blood Management with An Emphasis on Antifibrinolytic Drug Administration for Cardiac Surgery
Researchers from Royal Papworth Hospital, Manchester University, AP-HP Hopital Europeen Georges Pompidou, University de PARIS, Herzzentrum Dresden GmbH Universitatsklinik an der Technischen Universitat Dresden, Mater University Hospital, UCD Medical School, Oula University Hospital (Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine), Kepler University Hospital GmbH (Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven (Department of Anesthesiology),…
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Single-center surgical site infection rate after peripheral ECMO decannulation and surgical repair
A Retrospective single-institution study investigated surgical site infection (SSI) rate after the decannulation of femoral Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), in addition to evaluating the leading risk factors for infection. The retrospective single-institutional review included patients requiring ECMO from January 2016 to October 2019. The results showed that 25% of patients developed SSI after femoral ECMO…
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Optimizing Perioperative Renal Replacement Therapy for Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgical Procedures Requiring Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Researchers from Columbia University Irving Medical Center (Department of Nephrology, Department of Anesthesiology, Clinical Perfusion, and Division of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Surgery) described the unique challenges seen in patients receiving renal replacement therapy (RRT) when undergoing cardiac surgical procedures needing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), and various strategies used to manage this patient population safely. The…
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Re-dosing of Del Nido Cardioplegia In Adult Cardiac Surgery
Del Nido cardioplegia is a cardiac arrest solution developed in the early 1990s for pediatric cardiac surgery. It contains lidocaine, magnesium, and low calcium levels, making it more suitable for immature cardiac myocytes susceptible to reperfusion injury and high intracellular calcium levels following ischemia. In addition, unlike traditional blood cardioplegia, Del Nido cardioplegia is administered…
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Antifungal Dosing for Critically Ill Patients on ECMO
In June 2023, researchers from Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, the University of Portsmouth, The Prince Charles Hospital (Adult Intensive Care Services and Critical Care Research Group), The University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, Bond University, University of Waterloo (School of Pharmacy), University of Utah School of Medicine (Department of Paediatrics), Imperial College London,…
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Impact of Cardiopulmonary Bypass Duration on Fibrinogen Replacement Efficacy Cryoprecipitate Vs. Fibrinogen Concentrate
Researchers from the University of Toronto (Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management), Peter Munk Cardiac Centre and Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, Kingston Health Sciences Centre (Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine), Queen’s University (Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine), and the University of Toronto (Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation) examined how the…
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