Early Experiences with Miniaturized Extracorporeal Life-Support in the Catheterization Laboratory
Miniaturized ECMO systems can be safe and highly effective in restoring circulation and gas exchange in patients with cardiocirculatory failure in the cath-lab.
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.
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.
Acute Kidney Injury in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery
The incidence of postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery ranges from 7.7% to 28.1% in different studies, probably in relation to the criteria adopted to define AKI.
Perioperative Fluid Balance and Acute Kidney Injury
Positive FB was associated with increased incidence of AKI.
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.
Outcomes of the First 30 Cases of an Adult Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Program: Strategies to Manage the “Learning Curve” and Implications for Intensive Care Unit Risk Adjustment Models
Satisfactory outcomes were achieved using an ICU-based multidisciplinary approach with a broadly based education strategy with additional clinical perfusionist support to manage the learning curve.
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.
Nosocomial Infections in Adult Cardiogenic Shock Patients Supported by Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Incidence and impact on adult patients' outcomes of nosocomial infections (NIs) occurring during venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) support for refractory cardiogenic shock have rarely been described.
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.
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).
Mannitol Increases Renal Blood Flow and Maintains Filtration Fraction and Oxygenation in Postoperative Acute Kidney Injury: A Prospective Interventional Study
Mannitol treatment of postoperative AKI induces a renal vasodilation and redistributes systemic blood flow to the kidneys.