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.
Contemporary Results for Proximal Aortic Replacement in North America
The purpose of this study was to characterize operative outcomes for ascending aorta and arch replacement on a national scale and to develop risk models for mortality and major morbidity.
Selective Antegrade Cerebral Perfusion and Mild (28°C-30°C) Systemic Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest for Aortic Arch Replacement: Results from 1002 Patients
Current data suggest that ACP and mild systemic hypothermic circulatory arrest can be safely applied to complex aortic arch surgery even in a subgroup of patients with up to 90 minutes of ACP. Unilateral ACP offers at least equal brain and visceral organ protection as bilateral ACP and might be advantageous in that it reduces the incidence of embolism arising from surgical manipulation on the arch vessels.
Total Arch Replacement Under Flow Monitoring During Selective Cerebral Perfusion Using a Single Pump
Flow monitoring showed that selective perfusion using a single pump adequately distributed flow among all supraaortic vessels. This monitoring system might help to improve brain protection and outcomes during total aortic arch replacement.
Total Arch Replacement in Patients With Aortic Dissection With an Isolated Left Vertebral Artery
Acceptable results were obtained in patients with aortic dissection with an isolated left vertebral artery. Although there was no clear evidence that the spinal cord injury was related to the isolated left vertebral artery using stented elephant trunk implantation, the isolated left vertebral artery was constructed as soon as possible in patients with this vessel anomaly.
β-Blockers Improve Survival of Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
This study showed that in patients with COPD undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting the administration of β-blockers is safe and significantly improves survival at mid-term follow-up.
Safe Management of Cesarean Section in a Patient of Eisenmenger Syndrome
We report our experience of a 29-year-old female with a complete atrio-ventricular septal defect leading to a single ventricle physiology and Eisenmenger syndrome.
A Survey on the use of Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump in Cardiac Surgery
Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) is an established tool in the management of cardiac dysfunction in cardiac surgery. The best timing for IABP weaning is unknown and varies greatly among cardiac centers.
Duration of Deep Hypothermia During Aortic Surgery and the Risk of Perioperative Blood Transfusion
The objective of the current study was to examine the relationship between the duration of deep hypothermia and perioperative bleeding.
Patient Safety and Quality Improvement: An Overview of QI
It is important for pediatric providers to be involved in quality improvement (QI) activities to improve children’s health outcomes.