Non iatrogenic Hypoglycemia as a Marker for Poor Outcomes in Cardiac Surgery
Recent findings by Hannah Rando et al. have unveiled critical insights into the impact of hypoglycemia on postoperative outcomes in cardiac surgery patients. The study, conducted at a single institution from 2016 to 2021, sought to differentiate between iatrogenic and noniatrogenic causes of hypoglycemia and their respective impacts on patient health. The research aimed to…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Teleflex receives FDA 510(k) clearance of the Ringer™ Perfusion Balloon Catheter
Teleflex announced that the FDA has granted 510(k) clearance for the company’s Ringer perfusion balloon catheter for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), the only commercially available Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty perfusion balloon. The Ringer Perfusion Balloon Catheter will enter a limited market release phase in August 2024.The Ringer™ PBC is indicated for balloon dilatation of…
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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…
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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…
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Innovative Apparatus for Cardiac Output Determination Using Electrical Polarization of Red Blood Cells
This newsletter introduced a groundbreaking apparatus for determining cardiac output via a percutaneous catheter that transfers electrical charges to the membrane of red blood cells (by Condello et Al. Polaris group). This device holds significant promise for clinical medicine and research, offering critical applications such as continuous cardiac output monitoring in ICU patients, real-time assessment…
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Early United States Experience Shows Comparable Outcomes for Heart Transplants from Circulatory Death Donors
A study on heart transplantation following donation after circulatory death (DCD) conducted by Syed Shahyan Bakhtiyar has revealed significant trends and outcomes in the United States. The study analyzed data from adult heart transplant recipients between December 2019 and September 2023, identifying 11,625 transplantations. Of these, 792 transplants (7%) involved DCD allografts, with 249 using…
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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…
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A Pharmacokinetic Framework Describing Antibiotic Adsorption to Cardiopulmonary Bypass Devices
The study “A Pharmacokinetic Framework Describing Antibiotic Adsorption to Cardiopulmonary Bypass Devices” by Conor J. O’Hanlon et al. explores how cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) can significantly alter the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of antibiotics, potentially leading to therapeutic failures. Cefazolin, a commonly used beta-lactam antibiotic for antimicrobial prophylaxis during cardiac surgery with CPB, may adsorb to the…
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Comparison Between the Protective Effect of Isoflurane and Propofol on Myocardium During Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Qi Bao et al. conducted a study to compare the cardioprotective effects of isoflurane, a volatile anesthetic, with propofol, an intravenous non-volatile anesthetic, in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The authors performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, searching databases including MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed Central, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Cochrane…
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