The effect of cardiopulmonary bypass on blood thiamine concentration and its association with postoperative lactate concentration
There is a relationship between thiamine levels and hyperlactatemia following cardiothoracic surgery. Hyperlactatemia is commonly seen in these patients and is associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates. Lactate gets produced when anaerobic metabolism occurs, boosting its concentrations and reducing thiamine levels. Thiamine is essential for aerobic metabolism, as it is necessary for the enzyme…
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Long-Term Outcomes and Durability of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation
In May 2023, researchers from Loyola University Medical Center and Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center discussed the mid-to-long-term clinical outcomes observed in landmark transcatheter aortic valve implementation (TAVI) trials. They analyzed the long-term durability of transcatheter heart valves (THVs). The complete manuscript by Parth V. Desai, Sachin S. Goel, Neal S. Kleiman, and…
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Gaseous Micro-Embolic Activity and Goal-Directed Perfusion Management in a Closed System for Cardiopulmonary Bypass and Minimally Invasive Extracorporeal Circulation during Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.
The world of extracorporeal technologies is rapidly expanding. In particular, we are trying to make cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) more physiological for end-organ protection by reducing complications related to biocompatibility, inflammation, hemodilution, coagulation management, and gaseous micro-embolic activity. The literature describes various extracorporeal techniques that seek to eliminate air-blood contact and reduce hemodilution and the contact…
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The Role of The Alternative Pathway in Complement Activation by HIT Immune Complexes
Researchers from Duke University Medical Center (Division of Hematology), Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Medicine), Texas A&M University (Department of Microbial Pathogenesis & Immunology), and East Carolina University (Department of Microbiology & Immunology examined how the alternative pathway contributes to complement activation…
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ECMO: A bridge to Patient Care
ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) has dramatically evolved since its introduction in the 1960s with Dr. Gibbon’s first version of a heart-lung machine to Dr. Robert Bartlett’s first neonatal survivor in 1974 to the process we now experience. Since 1989, over 204,000 ECMO cases have been submitted to ELSO (Extracorporeal Life Support Organization). Although most ECMO…
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How Do We Forecast Tomorrow’s Transfusion: Infectious Safety?
Transfusion medicine is constantly evolving, and Pathogen Reduction Technologies (PRTs) are at the forefront, offering distinct advantages and challenges. PRTs aim to minimize the risk of infections transmitted through transfusion while addressing immune responses associated with blood product transfusion. However, the efficacy of PRT-treated blood products can be compromised, potentially escalating the demand for blood…
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How can the healthcare system deliver sustainable performance? A scoping review
This scoping review aims to understand how the literature defines, conceptualizes, and measures the sustainable performance of healthcare systems (SPHS). The research was conducted on peer-reviewed articles and editorials published up to February 2021. The study focused on five aspects of SPHS – definitions, measurement, challenges, possible solutions, and the scaling of these solutions. The…
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Essential Factors for Implementing a Clinical Robotic Mitral Valve Surgery Program
In September 2022, researchers from the University of California David Health, Division of Cardiac Surgery, discuss the most critical factors for successfully implementing a robotic mitral valve surgery program. The complete manuscript by Anna Xue, Sarah Chen, Alison Ranade, Kimberly Smith, Jeff Kasten, Jorge Catrip, and Bob Kiaii is available in the Annals of Cardiothoracic Surgery….
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Dietary metabolic signatures and cardiometabolic risk
Machine learning strategies were used in a study to identify individual metabolic patterns concerning diet and its long-term impact on cardiometabolic-cardiovascular disease (CM-CVD) in early adulthood. These analyses were conducted on 2,259 adults participating in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. The complete manuscript by Ravi V. Shah, Lyn M. Steffen, Jared…
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Big Data in Cardiac Surgery: Real World and Perspectives
The utilization of Big Data and related analysis tools, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), has been viewed as a revolution in contemporary medical procedures. Big Data’s multifaceted origins offer a treasure trove of information, including electronic health records, clinical trials, imaging data, registries, administrative databases, patient-reported results, and OMICS profiles. The…
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Current Data on Minimalist TAVR Care Pathways and Future Research Directions
In June 2022, researchers from Emory University School of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, and Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery summarized current data for a minimalist TAVR approach and what future studies need to focus on to optimize TAVR care. The full manuscript by Mariem A. Sawan, Avery E. Calhoun, Kendra J. Grubb,…
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Overcoming Complications of Cardiovascular Prevention in Diabetic Patients Through Aspirin
In March 2022, researchers from Université de Montréal (Faculties of Pharmacy and Medicine), Montreal Heart Institute (Department of Medicine and Research Center), and the Institut de Recherche Clinique de Montréal completed a review on the use of aspirin in patients with diabetes and its effect to prevent cardiovascular diseases. The complete manuscript by Mélina Del Bianco-Rondeau,…
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