Cell-Derived Microparticles in Stored Blood Products: Innocent-Bystanders or Effective Mediators of Post-Transfusion Reactions?
Plasma membrane-derived microvesicles or microparticles (MPs) are sub-cellular vesicles released upon shear stress, cell activation, injury or apoptosis.
Trends in Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: An Analysis of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database
We used the Society of Thoracic Surgeons adult cardiac surgery database to characterize trends in patient characteristics and outcomes after CABG over the past decade.
Cerebral and Somatic Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Measurements During Fluid Challenge in Cardiac Surgery Patients: A Descriptive Pilot Study
Little is known about changes in near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-derived cerebral (rSO(2)b) and somatic (rSO(2)s) oxygen saturation during a fluid challenge.
Usefulness of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation as an Independent Predictor for Worse Early and Late Outcomes after Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (Multicenter Australian Study of 19,497 Patients)
POAF is a risk factor for short-term morbidity and decreased long-term survival.
The Influence of Heparin Resistance on Postoperative Complications in Patients Undergoing Coronary Surgery
Severe form of heparin resistance (expressed by the ACT less than 480 seconds after 400 U/kg heparin) was an independent predictor of death.
Anticoagulation and Bleeding in Patients with Ventricular Assist Devices: Walking the Tightrope
A left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a lifesaving therapy for end-stage heart failure, but it is associated with major complications such as bleeding and thrombosis.
Pulsatile Control of Rotary Blood Pumps: Does the Modulation Waveform Matter?
A synchronized pulsing rotary blood pump offers a simple and powerful control modality for heart unloading.
Mock Circulation Simulation of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support for Systemic Ventricular Failure in an Infant: The Effect of Atrial Septostomy
This study demonstrates that a mock circulation can be used to investigate the size of an ASD necessary to effect sufficient clinical improvement in a two-ventricle infant on ECMO.
Performance Evaluation of a Pediatric Viscous Impeller Pump for Fontan Cavopulmonary Assist
A VIP will augment Fontan cavopulmonary flow in the proper pressure and flow ranges, with low hemolysis risk under more stringent pediatric scale and physiology compared with adult scale.
Reduction of Chronic Graft Injury with a New HTK-Based Preservation Solution in a Murine Heart Transplantation Model
The new HTK-based solution reduces the chronic isograft injury.
Cost-Effectiveness of the Implantable HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist Device for Patients Awaiting Heart Transplantation
Although HeartMate II LVAD implantation significantly increases survival compared with conventional medical management, it does not provide good value for the money spent according to established thresholds of cost-effectiveness in the UK.
New Innovative Instruments Facilitate Both Direct-Vision and Endoscopic-Assisted Mini-Mitral Valve Surgery
Newly innovated mini-mitral valve surgical instruments and techniques facilitate both direct-vision and endoscopic-assisted approaches and accomplish a favorable surgical outcome even in the complex pathology of mitral valve insufficiency.