Surgical Debriefing: A Reliable Roadmap to Completing the Patient Safety Cycle
Debriefing, a process that allows individuals to discuss team performance in a constructive, supportive environment, has been linked to improved performance in various medical and surgical fields, including improvements in specific procedures, teamwork and communication, and error identification
The Long-Term Effects of Developing Renal Failure Post-Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery, in Patients with Normal Preoperative Renal Function
Despite being a biochemically reversible process, the development of renal risk, injury and failure as defined by the RIFLE criteria post-cardiac surgery in patients with a normal preoperative renal function is associated with a significantly worse long-term outcome.
Putting the Record Straight on Aprotinin as Safe and Effective: Results from a Mixed Treatment Meta-Analysis of Trials of Aprotinin
This mixed treatment comparisons meta-analysis demonstrates no increased mortality risk with aprotinin versus other antifibrinolytic agents.
The Berlin Heart EXCOR Pediatric Ventricular Assist Device: History, North American Experience, and Future Directions
This paper describes the early experience with the EXCOR Pediatric VAD
Pediatric Mechanical Circulatory Support: Future Directions
The field of extracorporeal support is moving forward rapidly.
Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support for Refractory Cardiovascular Dysfunction during Severe Bacterial Septic Shock
Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation might represent a valuable therapeutic option for adults in severe septic shock with refractory cardiac and hemodynamic failure.
Antithrombin Activity and Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery with Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Our results confirm the role of low postsurgery AT activity influencing outcomes in patients undergoing CPB.
Cell Salvage of Cardiotomy Suction Blood Improves the Balance between Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines after Cardiac Surgery
Cell salvage reduces the absolute levels of both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in cardiotomy suction blood and improves the balance in the systemic circulation after surgery.
Effects of Cell Salvage on Erythrocyte 2,3-Disphosphoglycerate and G-6-PD Levels and Phosphatidylserine Expression
Compared with venous RBC, washed RBC from intraoperative cell salvage exhibited good oxygen-carrying and antioxidant capacities.
An Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Cannulation Curriculum Featuring a Novel Integrated Skills Trainer Leads to Improved Performance Among Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Trainees.
We hypothesized that a simulation-based ECMO cannulation curriculum featuring a novel integrated skills trainer would improve ECMO cannulation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation performance by cardiothoracic surgery trainees.
Crystalloids vs. Colloids: KO at the Twelfth Round?
The safety and efficacy of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) for fluid resuscitation have not been fully evaluated, and adverse effects of HES on survival and renal function have been reported.
Successful Anticoagulation with Fresh Frozen Plasma for Cardiopulmonary Bypass in a Patient with Heparin Resistance: A Cautionary Tale
We report a case of successful anticoagulation with the intraoperative administration of fresh frozen plasma in a high-risk coronary patient with HR and highlight the perils of unwitting overheparinisation in such cases.