Protecting Patients from an Unsafe System: The Etiology and Recovery of Intraoperative Deviations in Care
To understand the etiology and resolution of unanticipated events in the operating room (OR).
Diagnosis of Infection in Patients Undergoing Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Case-Control Study
Traditional and emerging inflammatory biomarkers, especially if compounded in the procalcitonin and C-reactive protein combined assay, can aid in the diagnosis of infection in patients undergoing venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
Left Atrial Decompression During Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Left Ventricular Failure in Children: Current Strategy and Clinical Outcomes
Earlier timing of LA decompression appeared to be associated with a high probability of weaning from ECMO and reasonable LV functional recovery.
Review Article: High Stakes and High Risk: A Focused Qualitative Review of Hazards During Cardiac Surgery
Cardiac surgery is a high-risk procedure performed by a multidisciplinary team using complex tools and technologies.
Patient Safety Reporting Systems: Sustained Quality Improvement Using a Multidisciplinary Team and “Good Catch” Awards
A multidisciplinary team's analysis and mitigation of hazards identified in a patient safety reporting process entailed positive recognition with a Good Catch award, education of practitioners, and long-term follow-up.
Training Residents in Off-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: A 14-year Experience
OPCAB is a safe and reproducible surgical technique that can be taught successfully to cardiothoracic trainees.
Perioperative Fluid Balance and Acute Kidney Injury
Positive FB was associated with increased incidence of AKI.
Preoperative Hypoalbuminemia is a Major Risk Factor for Acute Kidney Injury Following Off-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
Preoperative low serum albumin level is an independent risk factor for AKI, and postoperative AKI is associated with poor outcomes after OPCAB in patients with preoperative normal renal function.
Infections Occurring in Adult Patients Receiving Mechanical Circulatory Support: The Two-Year Experience of an Italian National Referral Tertiary Care Center
Infection during mechanical circulatory support is a frequent adverse complication. We analyzed infections occurring in this population in a national tertiary care center, and assessed the differences existing between the setting of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and ventricular assist devices (VADs).
Can Long-Term Ventricular Assist Devices Be Safely Implanted in Low-Volume Non-Heart Transplant Centres
Long-term VADs can be implanted at low-volume, nontransplant centres with survival rates comparable with contemporary clinical trials.
Physical Therapist Management of Patients With Ventricular Assist Devices: Key Considerations for the Acute Care Physical Therapist
This article provides an overview of the utilization of ventricular assist devices (VADs), reviews the common features of VADs and management of VAD recipients, discusses clinical considerations in the rehabilitation process, and describes the role of the acute care physical therapist in the care of VAD recipients.
Diagnosis and Management of Circulatory Arrest in Pediatric Ventricular Assist Device Patients: Presentation of Two Cases and Suggested Guidelines
Pediatric patients supported by ventricular assist devices (VADs) are becoming more common. No guidelines exist to provide an approach to diagnosis or management of circulatory arrest in these patients. We present two case reports of apparent circulatory arrest in pediatric VAD-supported patients at our institution.