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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Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest at 20°C: No Increased Coagulopathy Risk Compared to 28°C in Pig Model
In recent years, the debate over the optimal temperature setting for hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) during thoracic aortic surgery has intensified. Traditionally, it’s been assumed that lower temperatures might exacerbate coagulopathy, leading to excessive bleeding. However, clinical studies devoid of confounding factors have been scarce. This study by Hayato Ise aims to provide clarity on…
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Insights into Insulin Dynamics During Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Thilo Schweizer’s study delves into the complexities of insulin loss during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), aiming to uncover whether intraoperative hyperglycemia, commonly observed in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery, is partly due to insulin adhesion to artificial surfaces or degradation by hemolysis. This investigation compares insulin dynamics in two distinct extracorporeal circulation circuits (ECCs): a conventional ECC…
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Outcomes of Emergent Cardiac Surgery After TAVI
A comprehensive study by Gijs J. van Steenbergen et al. evaluated the reasons and outcomes of emergent cardiac surgery (ECS) following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) at a high-volume center in the Netherlands. The study, conducted between January 2008 and April 2022, included all patients who required ECS due to complications arising from TAVI procedures….
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Changes in Colloid Oncotic Pressure During Cardiac Surgery with Different Prime Fluid Strategies
In cardiac surgery, the colloid oncotic pressure (COP) can be significantly affected by the haemodilution due to the composition and volume of the prime fluid used in cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). However, the extent to which different priming strategies alter COP has not been fully understood. To address this, Anne Maria Beukers conducted a study investigating…
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Understanding Microcirculation in Perioperative Medicine
In a recent narrative review by Moritz Flick, the critical role of microcirculation—the network of the smallest vessels in the cardiovascular system—in perioperative medicine is explored. This network is essential for oxygen delivery at the capillary level, influencing the flow of oxygen-carrying red blood cells and the density of the capillary network within tissues. Advancements…
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Prognostic Implication of Vasoactive Inotropic Score in Adult Patients with Cardiogenic Shock on VA-ECMO
A recent study by Yao Hu explores the prognostic significance of the Vasoactive Inotropic Score (VIS) in adult patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) undergoing veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). The VIS, a scoring system assessing the impact of vasoactive drugs, is crucial for managing CS by enhancing microcirculation. Although extensively studied in pediatric patients, its…
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