Agglutinins and Cardiac Surgery: A Web Based Survey of Cardiac Anaesthetic Practice; Questions Raised and Possible Solutions
Cardiac surgery involves cardiopulmonary bypass during which the core temperature is generally lowered to hypothermic levels.Because of the absence of hospital policies and of clear UK guidelines that explain how to manage such cases, we decided to conduct a web-based survey regarding standard anaesthesia practice in patients with both cold and warm autoantibodies presenting for cardiac surgery.
Dual Versus Single Anti-platelet Therapy in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Although dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with clopidogrel and aspirin is a widely accepted strategy in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), this approach is not evidence based. We therefore sought to systematically review the currentevidence for this practice in terms of 30-day outcome looking at stroke, MI, bleeding, and death.
FOCUS: The Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists’ Initiative to Improve Quality and Safety in the Cardiovascular Operating Room
The Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists (SCA) introduced the FOCUS initiative (Flawless Operative Cardiovascular Unified Systems) in 2005 in response to the need for a rigorous scientific approach to improve quality and safety in the cardiovascular operating room (CVOR).
National Trends in the Utilization of Short-Term Mechanical Circulatory Support: Incidence, Outcomes, and Cost Analysis
The purpose of this study was to characterize the demographics, treatment practices, survival rates, and cost of short-term MCS
Comparison of Four Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Devices Shows That They are only Suitable for Monitoring Cerebral Oxygenation Trends in Preterm Infants
the industry cannot agree on uniform and reproducible standards.
Thirty-Year Patency of a Coronary Sequential Venous Bypass Graft
This case report demonstrated the potential extreme long-term patency of a sequential saphenous vein graft
Thromboelastography is a Suboptimal Test for Determination of the Underlying Cause of Bleeding Associated with Cardiopulmonary Bypass and May Not Predict a Hypercoagulable State
TEG had limited utility in identifying the underlying cause of bleeding
Geographic Variability in Potentially Discretionary Red Blood Cell Transfusions After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery
A number of established regional quality improvement collaboratives have partnered to assess and improve care across their regions under the umbrella of the Cardiac Surgery Quality Improvement (IMPROVE) Network. The first effort of the IMPROVE Network has been to assess regional differences in potentially discretionary transfusions (<3 units red blood cells [RBCs]).
The Predictors of Surgical Site Infection Post Cardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review
We sought to conduct a systematic review to evaluate the predictors of surgical site infection (SSI) after cardiac surgery. We included published, peer-reviewed, English-language, retrospective and prospective studies identified in a search of Medline, CINAHL, and PubMed from 2005 and through February 20, 2012.
Cardiac Catheter Procedures During Extracorporeal Life Support: A Risk-Benefit Analysis
Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is a valuable tool for situations in which cardiac disease acutely threatens the life of a child. Residual anatomic lesions have a strong negative influence on survival when ECLS is used after cardiac operations.
Surgeon and Center Volume Influence on Outcomes After Arterial Switch Operation: Analysis of the STS Congenital Heart Surgery Database
Multivariable logistic regression with adjustment for patient factors and ventricular septal defect closure was used to evaluate relationships between annual center and surgeon volume and a composite end point (in-hospital mortality or major complications).
Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections for the Treatment of Hamstring Injuries: A Randomized Controlled Trial
A single autologous PRP injection combined with a rehabilitation program was significantly more effective in treating hamstring injuries than a rehabilitation program alone.