Introspection Into Institutional Database Allows for Focused Quality Improvement Plan in Cardiac Surgery: Example for a New Global Healthcare System
In accordance with the Patient Protection andAffordable Care Act, Medicare will cut payments to hospitals with high 30-day readmission rates. We retrospectively reviewed an institutional database to identify risk factors predisposing adult cardiac surgery patients to rehospitalization within 30 days of discharge.
Desmopressin for Reducing Postoperative Blood Loss and Transfusion Requirements Following Cardiac Surgery in Adults
A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was, in adult patients undergoingcardiac surgery requiring extracorporeal cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), does administration of desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) reduce postoperativeblood loss and transfusion requirements?
Management of Blood Transfusion in Aortic Valve Surgery: Impact of a Blood Conservation Strategy
There are limited data in the literature concerning the effect of a blood conservation strategy (BCS) on aortic valve replacement (AVR) patients.
Minimally Invasive Mitral Surgery Through Right Mini-Thoracotomy Under Direct Vision
Based on our extensive experience we believe that mitral valve repair through a right mini-thoracotomy provides a durable and safe alternative to a traditional sternotomy with the benefits of improved cosmesis, reduced post-operative pain, less blood loss with fewer blood transfusions, fewer infections, shorter length of stay, and faster return to activity.
Simultaneous Inflammatory Pseudotumors of the Coronary Arteries and Abdominal Aorta
We herein report a rare case of cardiac and abdominal aortic inflammatory pseudotumors (IPTs). The pathological diagnosis was IPT, which was judged to be inoperable because of its anatomical location and the fact that the patient was a Jehovah's Witness, which precluded the administration of heterologous blood transfusions.