The International journal of artificial organs
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Multicenter Study
The Sorin freedom stentless pericardial valve: clinical and echocardiographic performance at 10 years.
The Sorin Pericarbon Freedom (SPF) is a stentless valve made of pericardium clinically available in 1990. We report the clinical and hemodynamic performance of the SPF at 10 years. ⋯ The SPF has demonstrated overall good results in terms of valve durability and freedom from valve-related complications up to 10 years, with excellent hemodynamic performance.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Low-dose continuous renal replacement therapy for acute kidney injury.
Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is used increasingly to treat acute kidney injury (AKI), which is a common condition in the intensive care unit (ICU). However, the optimal CRRT dose for the treatment of AKI is still a matter of controversy. This study was conducted to ascertain the minimal dose of CRRT that can be effective on AKI patient outcomes. ⋯ We found that low-dose CRRT did not increase mortality in critically ill patients with AKI. We also found that AKI patients treated with lower-dose CRRT non-significantly but numerically lower hospital mortality compared to higher-dose CRRT.
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Comparative Study Controlled Clinical Trial
The effects of pulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass on acute kidney injury.
Protective effect of pulsatile flow cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on the occurrence of acute renal injury is still a matter of debate. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of pulsatile and non-pulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass on kidneys using Urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) as the markers of renal injury. ⋯ Low IL-18 and NGAL levels found in the pulsatile perfusion group might suggest the use of pulsatile flow resulted in better kidney protection.
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Aortic valve regurgitation or the presence of a mechanical aortic valve prosthesis is a relative contraindication for implantation of left ventricular assist devices (LVAD). However, concomitant aortic valve replacement by a biological prosthesis is one of the options in this situation. We analyzed our recent experience with left ventricular assist device implantation and concomitant aortic valve replacement. ⋯ In stable patients, simultaneous aortic valve replacement and LVAD implantation are not associated with an impaired outcome. In patients with cardiogenic shock an additional aortic valve replacement may impair outcome; therefore alternative techniques should be considered.