AngioVac-Assisted Debulking before Lead Extraction in Device-Related Endocarditis
Mobeen Zaka Haider and his team conducted a case series examining the efficacy of the AngioVac device in debulking intracardiac vegetations before cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) lead extractions in patients with infective endocarditis. The study included five patients who presented with systemic infections related to CIEDs, most commonly involving Staphylococcus aureus. Vegetations were primarily…
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New Cardiac Assist Technology Proven Accurate Through Advanced Simulation
In a study published in the ASAIO Journal by Erica C. Perez and colleagues, researchers validated the Harvi cardiovascular simulation platform as a reliable tool for predicting the effects of a novel non-blood-contacting direct cardiac compression (DCC) device developed by CorInnova.The innovative device functions by repeatedly compressing the ventricles in step with the heartbeat, providing…
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FDA Recognizes SeaStar Medical’s SCD as Breakthrough Device for Managing Systemic Inflammation
In April 2025, the FDA granted Breakthrough Device designation to SeaStar Medical’s Selective Cytopheretic Device (SCD), recognizing its potential to address a critical unmet need in post-cardiac surgery care. The SCD is designed to manage systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), a potentially life-threatening complication that can occur following major cardiac procedures. This breakthrough status highlights…
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Evaluating Cannula Performance in Pediatric ECMO: Pulsatile vs. Non-Pulsatile Flow Insights
In their study published in Artificial Organs: “Evaluation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenator cannulae in pulsatile and non-pulsatile pediatric mock circuits,” Lorenzo Ferrari and colleagues evaluated the hemodynamic performance of arterial and venous cannulae in a simulated pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) circuit, comparing pulsatile and non-pulsatile flow conditions to determine which approach more accurately replicates…
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Renal Transplant Perfusion through Strategic Patient Positioning
In the recent article published in Ultrasound, titled “Ultrasound assessment of the effect of patient position and body shape on peri-operative renal transplant cortical resistive indices and perfusion,” Linda Thebridge and her colleagues focus on how patient positioning and body shape impact renal transplant perfusion during the peri-operative period. The research involved 123 consecutive adult…
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Vortex Dynamics in the Aortic Root: Implications for LVAD Optimization
The article titled “Aortic Root Vortex Formation During Left Ventricular Assist Device Support” by Pangelina, Chaztyn, and colleagues, published in the journal ASAIO delves into the crucial dynamics of vortex formation in the aortic root under the influence of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). The research emphasizes these vortices’ critical role in optimizing blood flow….
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Innovative Mechanical Preload Reduction: Transforming Heart Failure Treatment
The article “Mechanical Preload Reduction: Harnessing a Cornerstone of Heart Failure Management to Improve Clinical Outcomes” by Navin K. Kapur et al., published in ASAIO Journal, provides a comprehensive review of mechanical preload reduction (MPR) technologies as emerging therapies for heart failure management. Decongestion is a key therapeutic goal for patients with decompensated heart failure…
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Advancing Organ Viability The Role of Normothermic Regional and Machine Perfusion in Transplantation
A study delves deeply into advanced techniques for assessing donor organ viability, explicitly looking at NRP and other advanced regional organ biosensor perfusion methods. The most relevant application of these modalities is transplantation from donors after circulatory death (DCD), in which ischemic injury is a frequent barrier to transplantability. These strategies aim to optimize organ preservation and evaluation,…
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A Retrospective Study on the Long-Term Outcomes of AngioVac Procedures
The AngioVac system, a vacuum-assisted aspiration device, has proven to be an effective tool for removing right-sided cardiac thrombi and has shown utility in managing complex cases of right-sided infective endocarditis and intracardiac tumors. Despite the promising outcomes reported in the short term, there needs to be more detailed data regarding long-term patient outcomes following…
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Mannitol Is Associated with Less Postoperative Delirium after Aortic Valve Surgery in Patients Treated with Bretschneider Cardioplegia
In cardiac surgeries that use extracorporeal circulation (ECC), postoperative delirium (POD) is a common complication. This condition is associated with extended hospital stays, increased costs, and higher morbidity. According to a recent retrospective study that focused on the effects of intraoperative mannitol during aortic valve replacement (AVR), mannitol could potentially decrease the incidence of POD,…
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Standardized Definitions for Bioprosthetic Valve Dysfunction Following Aortic or Mitral Valve Replacement
In August 2022, researchers from the Quebec Heart and Lung Institute, University of Pennsylvania, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Columbia University, University of Washington Medical Center, Beaumont Hospital, Guy’s and St Thomas’ N.H.S. Foundation Trust, Cambridge University and King’s College Hospital, University of Edinburgh (B.H.F. Centre for Cardiovascular Science), St Paul’s and Vancouver General Hospital,…
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What’s New with TAVR? An Update on Device Technology
In the past two decades, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has revolutionized the approach to aortic stenosis management. The technique has significantly evolved, expanding its application to younger, lower-risk patients with longer life expectancies and treating the disease at earlier stages. This progress has prompted the continuous evolution of device technology and minimized procedural complications….
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