Mechanical Circulatory Support in Patients with Congenital Heart Disease: A European Registry for Patients with Mechanical Circulatory Support (EUROMACS) Study
A study led by Maddalena Ardissino and colleagues examined the characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) who received mechanical circulatory support (MCS) across Europe. Utilizing data from the European Registry for Patients with Mechanical Circulatory Support (EUROMACS) from 2011 to 2023, the study analyzed 5340 participants, separating adult and pediatric…
Read
Update on Anticoagulation Strategies in Patients with ECMO—A Narrative Review
The newsletter “Update on Anticoagulation Strategies in Patients with ECMO—A Narrative Review” by Ján Šoltés et al. examines the intricate challenges of anticoagulation management in patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy. ECMO has surged recently and is favored for treating severe respiratory or circulatory failure. This therapy disrupts the delicate balance of hemostasis due…
Read
A Split-Lung Ex Vivo Perfusion Model for Efficient Therapeutic Evaluation of Donor Lungs
Nicholas J S Chilvers and colleagues have introduced an innovative split-lung ex vivo perfusion (EVLP) model to tackle the persistent shortage of donor lungs. This model is designed to provide a more time- and cost-effective method for evaluating therapeutic interventions on human donor lungs, which are essential for clinical translation. The traditional use of animal…
Read
Extracorporeal Liver Support Techniques: A Comparison
In a comprehensive study led by Ivano Riva and colleagues, a retrospective analysis was conducted to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of various extracorporeal liver support (ECLS) systems in patients suffering from liver failure. These ECLS systems are critical in aiding the liver’s detoxification by removing toxic molecules from the blood. The primary focus of…
Read
First Patient Successfully Implanted with BiVACOR’s Artificial Heart
The Texas Heart Institute in the US has successfully implanted BiVACOR’s total artificial heart (BTAH) in a human patient for the first time. The procedure was performed on a 57-year-old man with end-stage heart failure on July 9 as part of an FDA-approved early feasibility study (EFS) (NCT06174103). This milestone surgery is part of a…
Read
Nutrition Delivery and the Relationship with Changes in Muscle Mass in Adult Patients Receiving Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Retrospective Observational Study
In the retrospective observational study “Nutrition delivery and the relationship with changes in muscle mass in adult patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation” by Clare E. Ferguson et al., the researchers aimed to explore the intricate relationship between nutrition delivery and muscle health in patients undergoing ECMO treatment. ECMO, a life-support technique, is often accompanied by…
Read
High-Fidelity CPB Simulation Model Revolutionizes Perfusionist Training
In the article “Simulated cardiopulmonary bypass: a high fidelity model for developing and assessing clinical perfusion skills,” Bruce E. Searles and colleagues introduce a cutting-edge cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) simulation model designed to enhance the training and assessment of novice perfusionists. Traditionally, perfusionists have gained clinical experience during live surgical procedures, but recent directives from accrediting…
Read
Managing Differential Gas Exchange in Peripheral Venoarterial ECMO
In October 2023, researchers from Columbia University Irving Medical Center (Division of Thoracic Surgery, Division of Cardiology, Division of Nephrology, Clinical Perfusion, and Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine), Community Memorial Health Systems (Department of Surgery), and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine) detailed their management…
Read