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.
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.
A Perioperative Infusion of Sodium Bicarbonate Does Not Improve Renal Function in Cardiac Surgery Patients: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study
Routine perioperative administration of sodium bicarbonate failed to improve postoperative renal function in a large population of cardiac surgical patients.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.