LivaNova (TandemLife) Recalls LifeSPARC System
LivaNova (TandemLife) has recalled the LifeSPARC controller, part of the LifeSPARC system, because of a software malfunction that may cause the controller’s monitoring feature to wrongly enter critical failure mode, causing the pump to stop working. The FDA has identified this as a Class I recall. To date, LivaNova has received 66 complaints about the…
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The Relationship Between Diabetes and Arterial Restenosis
In February 2022, researchers from Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Departments of Medicine and Molecular Pharmacology) and Federico II University (International Translation Research and Medical Education Consortium) discuss the epidemiology of restenosis and the effect of diabetes. The complete article by Scott Wilson, Pasquale Mone, Urna Kansakar, Stanislovas S. Jankauskas, Kwame Donkor, Ayobami Adebayo, Fahimeh…
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A Successful Technique for Laser Lead Extraction During Venoarterial ECMO Support
In September 2020, researchers from the University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, and Department of Cardiology/Electrophysiology described their technique for laser lead extraction during VA-ECMO in a 64-year-old patient. The complete manuscript by Yalin Yildirim, Johannes Petersen, Tobias Tonnis, Christian Detter, Hermann Reichenspurner, and Simon Pecha can be found in the Brazilian…
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Antibiotics and ECMO in the Adult Population—Persistent Challenges and Practical Guides
In March 2022, researchers from the University of Missouri (Department of Neurology), Society for Healthcare Innovation, and University of Pennsylvania (Departments of Neurology and Anesthesiology and Critical Care) discussed the challenges that emerge on ECMO that can jeopardize antimicrobial therapy success. The complete manuscript by Francisco Gomez, Jesyree Veita, and Krzysztof Laudankski can be found…
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The COVID-19 Impact on Cardiac Surgical Volume and Hospital Revenue
In April 2022, practitioners from the University of Pittsburgh Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery and the University of Pittsburgh Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery delved further into the observed impact of COVID-19 on the number of cardiac surgeries, the financial burden, and what can be expected as institutions work on recovering. The full manuscript, written by Edgar…
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Pediatric Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis: Treatment With ECMO
In May 2022, researchers from the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, Departments of Pediatrics, Rheumatology, Critical Care Medicine, and Pediatric Nephrology, and New York Medical College Department of Pediatrics presented the case of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) vasculitis in a pediatric patient treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The complete study by Rachel Finkel, Jesse Honig,…
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Crystalloid Fluid Choice in Adults with Sepsis
In April 2022, researchers from the University of Toledo, Departments of Internal Medicine, Neurology, Critical Care Medicine, and Rheumatology compared the effect of balanced crystalloids (BC) vs. normal saline (NS) in adults with sepsis. The full manuscript by Azizullah Beran, Nehaya Altorok, Omar Srour, Saif-Eddin Malhas, Waleed Khokher, Mohammed Mhanna, Hazem Ayesh, Nameer Aladamat, Ziad…
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Cervical Cancer with Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Management With HIPEC
In February 2022, scientists from the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Departments of Internal Medicine, Clinical Pathology, Gynecologic Oncology, and Oncology, and Tufts University School of Medicine, Department of Surgical Oncology presented two patients who had recurrent cervical adenocarcinoma with peritoneal carcinomatosis and were treated with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). The full manuscript by Taliya…
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Managing A Fungal-Infected Prosthetic Aortic Graft with Robotic-Assisted Closed-Chest Techniques
In May 2022, researchers from Lenox Hill Hospital Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery provided a case report on the treatment of a fungal prosthetic graft infection using a robotic-assisted debridement of the aortic graft within a closed chest. The complete report by Ashley T. Giammarino, Iam Claire Sarmiento, SJacob Scheinerman, John Winalski, Richard S….
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Evaluating Interfacility ECMO Transfer Outcomes by Cannulation Location and Mode of Transport
A study published in March 2022 evaluated complications and in-hospital mortality in patients treated with Venovenous (VV) ECMO based on cannula locations and transport mode. The manuscript, written by Jillian K. Wothe, Zachary R. Bergman, Krystina R. Kalland, Logan G. Peter, Elizabeth R. Lusczek, and Melissa E. Brunsvold at the University of Minnesota, can be…
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The Inspired Therapeutics Neomate MCS System for Neonates and Infants
In May 2022, scientists from the University of Louisville (Departments of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Bioengineering, Anesthesiology, and Perioperative Medicine), Veritium research LLC, and Inspired Therapeutics LLC tested the NeoMate mechanical circulatory support (MCS) system for neonates and infants. The complete manuscript by Gretel Monreal, Steven C. Koenig, Mark S. Slaughter, Gino F. Morello, Steven…
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FDA recall for The HeartWare Ventricular Assist Device (HVAD) by Medtronic, Inc.
The FDA has identified this as a Class I recall for The HeartWare Ventricular Assist Device (HVAD) by Medtronic, Inc., the recall is due to welding defects that allow separation of the two cell battery packs used to power the system. The welding defect may cause the battery to malfunction and no longer provide power…
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