Study Protocol: Nitric Oxide During Cardiopulmonary Bypass to Improve Recovery in Infants With Congenital Heart Defects (NITRIC Trial): A Randomised Controlled Trial
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a major cause of infant mortality. Many infants with CHD require corrective surgery with most operations requiring cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). CPB triggers a systemic inflammatory response which is associated with low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS), postoperative morbidity and mortality. Delivery of nitric oxide (NO) into CPB circuits can provide myocardial protection and reduce bypass-induced inflammation, leading to less LCOS and improved recovery.
Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasmapheresis in Cardiovascular Surgery: A Narrative Review
Perioperative coagulopathy and bleeding are common complications in cardiovascular surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass and result in an increased rate of allogeneic blood transfusion. Both bleeding and transfusion can increase postoperative mortality and morbidity.
Development and Validation of a Score to Identify Cardiac Surgery Patients at High Risk of Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation
To develop and validate a score for the early identification of cardiac surgery patients at high risk of prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV) who may be suitable targets for interventional trials.
Validation Study of the Transfusion Risk and Clinical Knowledge (TRACK) Tool in Cardiac Surgery Patients: A Retrospective Analysis
The Transfusion Risk and Clinical Knowledge (TRACK) scoring system has been developed for predicting perioperative blood transfusions. However, the TRACK score needs to be validated externally in the US population. The primary objective of this study is to validate TRACK at the authors’ institution.
The Database Dilemma: An Imperfect but Critical Tool to Improve Quality and Benchmark Outcomes (Ed.)
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) database was created in 1989 as a patient safety initiative for adults undergoing cardiothoracic surgery. In 2005, pediatric and congenital cardiac patient data began being collected by a registry operated by the Congenital Cardiac Anesthesia Society.
Discriminatory Power of Scoring Systems for Outcome Prediction in Patients With Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Following Cardiovascular Surgery
Although extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) represents a rapidly evolving treatment option in patients with refractory heart or lung failure, survival remains poor and appropriate risk stratification challenging because established risk prediction models have not been validated for this specific population.
Red Blood Cell Dysfunction: a New Player in Cardiovascular Disease
The primary role of red blood cells (RBCs) is to transport oxygen to the tissues and carbon dioxide to the lungs. However, emerging evidence suggests an important role of the RBC beyond being just a passive carrier of the respiratory gases.
Quality of Life After Coronary Bypass: a Multicentre Study of Routinely Collected Health Data in the Netherlands
In this study, our aim was to explore how coronary artery bypass grafting affects quality of life, and how this varies with age, particularly with patients at risk of deterioration.
Cardiopulmonary Bypass and Dual Antiplatelet Therapy: a Strategy to Minimise Transfusions and Blood Loss
Patients with preoperative dual antiplatelet therapy prior to coronary artery bypass surgery are at risk of bleeding and blood component transfusion. We hypothesise that an optimised cardiopulmonary bypass strategy reduces postoperative blood loss and transfusions.
In-vitro Performance of a Low Flow Extracorporeal Carbon Dioxide Removal Circuit
Extracorporeal gas exchange requires the passage of oxygen and carbon dioxide (CO2) across an artificial membrane. Current European Union regulations do not require the transfer to be assessed in models using clinically relevant haemoglobin, making it difficult for clinicians to understand the CO2 clearance of a membrane, and how it changes in relation to sweep gas flow through the membrane.
Postoperative Pain Management in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: Where Are We Heading?
Adequate postoperative pain management is crucial in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery because pain can lead to devastating short- and long-term consequences. This review discusses the limitations of current postoperative pain assessment and management in children after cardiac surgery, the obstacles to providing optimal treatment, and concepts to consider that may overcome these barriers.
Dexmedetomidine Extraction by the Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Circuit: Results From an in Vitro Study
Dexmedetomidine is a sedative administered to minimize distress and decrease the risk of life threatening complications in children supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuit can extract drug and decrease drug exposure, placing the patient at risk of therapeutic failure.