Journal of cardiovascular medicine
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J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) · Feb 2006
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyTreatment of pulmonary hypertension in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass: a randomized, prospective, double-blind study.
Pulmonary hypertension can already be present in patients undergoing cardiac surgery or can be exacerbated by cardiopulmonary bypass. Postoperative treatment is still a challenge for physicians. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of inhaled prostacyclin (iPGI2) and nitric oxide (iNO) compared with those of intravenous vasodilators. ⋯ Our data suggest that both iNO and iPGI2 are effective in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension. iPGI2 has a number of advantages over iNO, including its easy administration and lower cost. Intravenous vasodilator treatment, on the other hand, is effective in terms of mortality but has a higher morbidity rate.
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J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) · Feb 2006
Bridge to transplantation with the MicroMed DeBakey ventricular assist device axial pump: a single centre report.
Left ventricular assist devices (VADs) are an accepted therapy to bridge patients with end-stage heart failure to heart transplantation. The DeBakey VAD, a continuous axial flow pump weighing 93 g, has been introduced into clinical practice as a bridge to transplant. ⋯ In our experience with the continuous axial flow DeBakey VAD, a high success rate was obtained associated with a low risk of complications. All the patients tolerated continuous blood flow for extended periods that makes this device a valuable alternative to pulsatile VADs as a bridge to transplantation.