Preoperative Statin Therapy is Associated with Lower Requirement of Renal Replacement Therapy in Patients undergoing Cardiac Surgery: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies
Patients undergoing CABG might derive benefit from preoperative statin therapy in terms of reducing the need for postoperative renal replacement therapy and mortality.
Blood Conservation Devices in Critical Care: A Narrative Review
This review summarises the current evidence base and confirms that blood conservation devices do reduce the volume of iatrogenic blood loss.
Thrombelastography (TEG®): Practical Considerations on Its Clinical Use in Trauma Resuscitation
Thrombelastography has characteristics of an ideal coagulation test for use in early trauma resuscitation.
Intraoperative Plasma Lactate as an Early Indicator of Major Postoperative Events in Pediatric Cardiac Patients
Hyperlactatemia and unmeasured anions (UMA) have been suggested to be useful predictors of outcomes after pediatric cardiac surgery in the ICU.
Acute Kidney Injury and Death Associated With Renin Angiotensin System Blockade in Cardiothoracic Surgery: A Meta-analysis of Observational Studies
In retrospective studies, preoperative use of RAS blockers was associated with increased odds of postoperative AKI and mortality in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery.
Perfline.com acquired by Perfusion.com, Inc.
Perfline.com (The largest collection of cardiopulmonary bypass and related sciences resources in the Internet) based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil has recently by acquired by Perfusion.com, Inc.
Cellsaver Use in Obstetrics
This study is a review of our experience of using the cell saver in obstetrics. The main aim was to determine its role in decreasing the need for homologous blood transfusion.
Introduction of Cell Salvage to a Large Obstetric Unit: The First Six Months
We introduced red-cell salvage to our obstetric unit following a two-month period of training and education.
The Affordable Care Act: The Ethical Call for Value-Based Leadership to Transform Quality
This article addresses the need for value-based leadership to transform the culture of health care organizations in order to be successful in navigating uncharted waters under the unprecedented challenges for change in the delivery of quality health care.
Comparing Mandated Health Care Reforms: the Affordable Care Act, Accountable Care Organizations, and the Medicare ESRD Program
This article reviews the new ESRD payment system and the Quality Incentive Program, comparing and contrasting them with ACOs.
Roles for Specialty Societies and Vascular Surgeons in Accountable Care Organizations
In this review, first, we will explore the development of ACOs within the context of prior attempts to control Medicare spending, such as the sustainable growth rate and managed care organizations. Second, we describe the evolution of ACOs, the demonstration projects that established their feasibility, and their current organizational structure. Third, because quality metrics are central to the use and implementation of ACOs, we describe current efforts to design, collect, and interpret quality metrics in vascular surgery. And fourth, because a "seat at the table" will be an important key to success for vascular surgeons in these efforts, we discuss how vascular surgeons can participate and lead efforts within ACOs.
Encouraging Value-Based Insurance Designs in State Health Insurance Exchanges
One of the main goals of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is to control the costs of US healthcare. Channeling patients toward more effective services is one of many approaches being used to control costs while improving health outcomes. This paper reviews value-based insurance design (VBID) concepts and discusses options for states to encourage these designs in the new health insurance exchanges (HIEs).