Provision of ECPR during COVID-19: Evidence, Equity, and Ethical Dilemmas
The logistics of patient selection, expedient cannulation, healthcare worker safety, and post-resuscitation care must be weighed against the ethical considerations.
Predictors and Outcomes of Ischemic Stroke After Cardiac Surgery
Stroke is a devastating complication after cardiac surgery that increases operative morbidity and mortality. Stroke with large vessel occlusion was associated with worse survival. However, early intervention did not impart a survival benefit.
Perioperative Management for Patients with von Willebrand Disease: Defining the Optimal Approach
This review provides an overview of the current evidence for the surgical management of patients with VWD and, summarises the optimal treatment approach during the perioperative period
COVID-19: Myocardial Injury in Survivors
In summary, myocardial injury is common in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and not exclusive to those with ACS or PE. In this single-centre, single-timepoint convalescent study, myocardial injury was associated with cardiac abnormalities detected by CMR where troponin elevation is unexplained even when cardiac function is normal.
A European Consensus Statement on The Use of Four-Factor Prothrombin Complex Concentrate for Cardiac and Non-Cardiac Surgical Patients
Tissue‐factor‐activated, factor VII‐dependent and heparin insensitive point‐of‐care tests may be used for peri‐operative monitoring and guiding of prothrombin complex concentrate therapy.
Therapeutic Potential of Fibrinogen Γ-Chain Peptide-Coated, ADP-Encapsulated Liposomes as A Haemostatic Adjuvant for Post-Cardiopulmonary Bypass Coagulopathy
These findings suggest that H12-ADP-liposomes could help effectively and safely consolidate platelet haemostasis in post-CPB coagulopathy and may have potential for reducing bleeding complications after cardiovascular surgery with CPB.
Multiple Electrode Aggregometry After Cardiopulmonary Bypass to Assess Platelet (Dys)-Function and Transfusion Threshold: A Concordance Study
The application of new Multiplate analyzer technologies, like the ADP test, have the potential to reduce platelet transfusion rates in cardiac surgery patients compared with the use of platelet counts alone; this point-of-care test may constitute an important strategy to help spare the use of allogeneic blood products. Additional studies are needed to confirm this trend and establish the best cutoff values to apply.
Simulation-Based Training of Critical Events During Cardiopulmonary Bypass: Importance of A Critical Events Checklist
Evaluation of critical events during simulated cardiopulmonary bypass shows that the scenario is realistic and relevant for clinical practice. Integrating a critical events checklist improves the probability of correct decision-making and shortens the correct decision time.
Intravenous Iron Therapy for Patients with Preoperative Iron Deficiency or Anaemia Undergoing Cardiac Surgery Reduces Blood Transfusions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
This meta-analysis suggests that IV iron improves postoperative morbidity in adult cardiac surgery patients with preoperative anaemia or iron deficiency. A large, rigorous, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, multicentre trial is needed to clarify the role of IV iron in this patient population.
Therapeutic Plasma Exchange: A potential Management Strategy for Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients
Herein, we briefly discuss some of the various approaches currently being investigated for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 with a focus on potential benefits of TPE for selected critically ill patients.
Effects of Cardiac Surgery and Salvaged Blood Transfusion on Coagulation Function Assessed by Thromboelastometry
Salvaged blood transfusion of more than 18.5% whole blood volume may impair coagulation function particularly in patients with lower FIBTEM-MCF before and after cardiac surgery.
p-Values and Their Unintended Consequences
We provide a suggested course of action, for both journal editors and readers, to address this issue.