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.
A Prediction Model to Identify Patients at High Risk for 30-Day Readmission After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
We aimed to develop and validate prediction models to assist clinicians and hospitals in identifying patients at highest risk for 30-day readmission after PCI.
Value-Based Purchasing and The Doctor-Patient Relationship
Hospitals will be graded according to points awarded for quality achievement, improvement from baseline, and consistency.
Postdischarge Environment Following Heart Failure Hospitalization: Expanding the View of Hospital Readmission
Readmission after hospitalization for heart failure (HF) has received increasing attention due to the significant burden it places on patients and payers.
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.
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?
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.
Effect of Erythropoietin on the Incidence of Acute Kidney Injury Following Complex Valvular Heart Surgery: A Double Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial of Efficacy and Safety
Intravenous administration of 300 IU/kg of EPO did not provide renal protection in patients who are at increased risk of developing AKI after undergoing complex valvular heart surgery.
Elimination of Gaseous Microemboli From Cardiopulmonary Bypass Using Hypobaric Oxygenation
Hypobaric oxygenation is an effective, low-cost, common sense approach that capitalizes on the simple physical makeup of GME to achieve their near-total elimination during CPB.
Reduced Embolic Load during Clinical Cardiopulmonary Bypass using a 20 Micron Arterial Filter
The 20 µm filter removed substantially more emboli than the 40 µm filter during cardiopulmonary bypass in this comparison.
Ultrasound Destruction of Air Microemboli as a Novel Approach to Brain Protection in Cardiac Surgery
Ultrasound destruction of air emboli is a very efficient method to reduce number and size of emboli.