Thrombelastography (TEG®): Practical Considerations on Its Clinical Use in Trauma Resuscitation
Thrombelastography has characteristics of an ideal coagulation test for use in early trauma resuscitation.
Anti-Inflammatory Strategies to Reduce Acute Kidney Injury in Cardiac Surgery Patients: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
In adult patients, probably other factors are predominant on inflammation in determining AKI, and only leukocyte filters were effective.
First Berlin Heart EXCOR Pediatric VAD Interhospital Transports of Nonambulatory Patients with the Ikus Stationary Driver
We report the first two cases of interhospital air and ground transport of nonambulatory or intubated pediatric (<13 kg) patients supported by Berlin Heart EXCOR pediatric VADs and Ikus stationary drivers.
Acute Kidney Injury and Death Associated With Renin Angiotensin System Blockade in Cardiothoracic Surgery: A Meta-analysis of Observational Studies
In retrospective studies, preoperative use of RAS blockers was associated with increased odds of postoperative AKI and mortality in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery.
Cellsaver Use in Obstetrics
This study is a review of our experience of using the cell saver in obstetrics. The main aim was to determine its role in decreasing the need for homologous blood transfusion.
Encouraging Value-Based Insurance Designs in State Health Insurance Exchanges
One of the main goals of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is to control the costs of US healthcare. Channeling patients toward more effective services is one of many approaches being used to control costs while improving health outcomes. This paper reviews value-based insurance design (VBID) concepts and discusses options for states to encourage these designs in the new health insurance exchanges (HIEs).
Controversy Over the Use of Intraoperative Blood Salvage Autotransfusion During Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients
Intraoperative blood salvage autotransfusion (IBSA) is used in various surgical procedures. However, because of the risk of reinfusion of salvaged blood contaminated by tumor cells, the use of IBSA in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT) is controversial.
Introduction of Cell Salvage to a Large Obstetric Unit: The First Six Months
We introduced red-cell salvage to our obstetric unit following a two-month period of training and education.
Peripartum Use of Cell salvage: A University Practice Audit and Literature Review
The rising rate of obstetrical hemorrhage attributed to the repeated cesarean sections and invasive placental disorders, requiring blood transfusion has emphasized the need for alternatives to allogeneic blood donation.
Taking Our Medicine — Improving Adherence in the Accountability Era
The Affordable Care Act aims to shift reimbursement from fee for service toward rewarding of improved quality, outcomes, and efficiency. Payment and delivery-system models such as patient-centered medical homes (PCMHs), accountable care organizations (ACOs), and bundled payments encourage greater care coordination by holding providers accountable for total costs and outcomes in their patient populations.
The Affordable Care Act: The Ethical Call for Value-Based Leadership to Transform Quality
This article addresses the need for value-based leadership to transform the culture of health care organizations in order to be successful in navigating uncharted waters under the unprecedented challenges for change in the delivery of quality health care.
Successful Repair of Aortic Annulus Rupture During Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Using Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support
We describe a case of aortic annular rupture with involvement of right coronary artery ostium leading to cardiac tamponade and cardiac arrest, successfully managed by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support, open drainage of the pericardial space, pericardial patching of the defect and bypass of the affected vessel with excellent post-procedural results.