Emerging Role of TAVR in Older Adults with Cardiogenic Shock: Balancing Risks, Outcomes, and Patient-Centered Care
Min Ji Kwak and her team conducted a comprehensive review of the use of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) in older adults with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and cardiogenic shock (CS). AS, a common valvular disease in the elderly, can lead to acute decompensated heart failure and CS, which carries a high mortality risk. While…
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Role of Non-Dietary Cardiovascular Health in Reducing Economic Burden After Stroke
Abraham M. Enyeji and his team conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study analyzing Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data from 2011 to 2022 to evaluate how improvements in cardiovascular health (CVH) metrics impact healthcare costs in individuals aged 45 and older, particularly those with a history of stroke. By applying the American Heart Association’s Life’s Simple…
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Christiaan Barnard and the Dawn of Heart Transplantation
Dr. Christiaan Barnard, a South African cardiac surgeon. Out of curiosity and a sense of destiny, Barnard sought further education as a cardiac surgeon in South Africa and the United States, where he studied the then-new realm of open-heart surgery. Upon returning to Cape Town, he became the head of cardiothoracic surgery at Groote Schuur…
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Optimizing Marginal Lung Use Consensus on EVLP Practices
Dr. Matthew Bacchetta and his multidisciplinary team of North American experts conducted a comprehensive consensus study on the clinical application of ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) using acellular perfusate. With only 15–30% of donor lungs traditionally suitable for transplantation, this research addresses a critical need to expand donor lung utilization. EVLP offers a means to…
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Prophylactic Amiodarone Reduces Ventricular Fibrillation in LVH Patients Undergoing Open-Heart Surgery
In a comprehensive randomized controlled trial conducted by Chan-Juan Gong and colleagues, the researchers rigorously evaluated the effectiveness of prophylactic intravenous amiodarone in reducing the incidence of ventricular fibrillation (VF) post-aortic cross-clamp (ACC) removal in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) undergoing open-heart surgery. The study involved 54 patients who were randomly assigned to one…
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Impact of ECMO and CRRT Circuits on Ketamine and Dexmedetomidine Levels: Adjusting Sedative Dosing in ECLS-Supported Patients
The study by Andrew Chevalier and colleagues, published in the Journal of Extracorporeal Technology, investigates how extracorporeal life support (ECLS) circuits, specifically ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) and CRRT (continuous renal replacement therapy), affect the pharmacokinetics of sedatives ketamine and dexmedetomidine. These medications are commonly administered to patients on ECLS for pain and sedation management. ECLS…
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OPO-Led Normothermic Regional Perfusion Enhances Organ Recovery and Transplant Outcomes
A 2025 study evaluating outcomes of 90 non-thoracic donors managed with Organ Procurement Organization (OPO)-based Normothermic Regional Perfusion (NRP) demonstrated significant advancements in organ recovery effectiveness. The research revealed a substantial improvement in liver utilization rates, increasing steadily from 53% to 83% across three defined operational periods. This trend highlights the increasing efficiency and acceptance…
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Reversing Heart Damage: How α-Lipoic Acid Targets Senescent Macrophages in Myocardial Infarction
The study titled “α-Lipoic acid alleviates myocardial infarction by suppressing age-independent macrophage senescence” by Yuchao Wang et al., published in Scientific Reports, investigates the therapeutic role of α-Lipoic acid (ALA) in myocardial infarction (MI) through the modulation of macrophage senescence. MI remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype…
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The Rising Price of a Failing Heart Global HF Costs Near $300 Billion
A systematic review published in the European Heart Journal in May 2025 provides an in-depth analysis of the global economic burden of heart failure (HF), estimating total annual costs at $284.17 billion. This figure includes $136.86 billion in direct healthcare costs, representing nearly 48% of the total burden, while indirect costs account for the remaining…
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Predicting Pulmonary Edema Risks in Cardiac Surgery: The Role of Lung Compliance and Airway Resistance
The article: “Predictive value of respiratory mechanics for the risk of unilateral pulmonary edema following minimally invasive cardiac surgery: An observational study” by Qiaolian Fan, published in Medicine, investigates the predictive value of static lung compliance (SLC) and airway resistance (AR) for anticipating unilateral pulmonary edema (UPE) in patients undergoing minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS)….
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TA-NRP, It Is Not All About the Heart
A 2025 study published in JAMA Network Open by Alderete et al.examined the effects of thoracoabdominal normothermic regional perfusion (TA-NRP) on lung transplant outcomes in donation after circulatory death (DCD). TA-NRP is a technique used to restore circulation to thoracic and abdominal organs after the declaration of death, aimed at improving organ preservation and viability….
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Nutritional Care in Pediatric ECMO: Toward a Personalized and Evidence-Based Approach
A recent comprehensive review published in Nutrients by Marwa Mansour and colleagues explores nutritional support’s essential yet often overlooked role in pediatric patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). This population is particularly vulnerable to malnutrition, which is frequently observed and strongly linked to increased morbidity and mortality. Nutritional management in pediatric ECMO remains inconsistent and…
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