Artificial organs
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An experiment was designed to find the suitable acellular bovine pericardium (ABP) patch in pericardial cavity reconstruction and to evaluate the effect of sodium hyaluronic acid (NaHA) on inflammatory reaction in prevention of pericardial adhesions. The pericardial adhesion model was established in 20 rabbits, weighing from 3.2 to 3.6 kg. Groups were classified as follows: Group A (n = 5), the control group, the pericardium was directly closed; Group B (n = 5), 0.15% glutaraldehyde-treated ABP (low cross-link degree); Group C, 0.3% glutaraldehyde-treated ABP (middle cross-link degree); Group D, 0.15% glutaraldehyde-treated ABP + NaHA solution. ⋯ The mean quantity of Smad6 in Group D was also lower than the other groups. Low cross-link degree ABP may be an efficient physical block between the epicardium and the sternum and also an ideal scaffold for pericardial tissue regeneration, whereas combined use with NaHA may significantly reduce postoperative pericardial adhesions. The signal transduction pathway of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and Smad6 may play a key role in the formation of pericardial adhesion.
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This study aims to investigate differences in hemodynamic conditions in the thoracic aorta for pulsatile and continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Patient-specific models were reconstructed from three patients with continuous-flow LVAD (HeartMate II, Thoratec Corporation) and three patients with biventricular assist devices (Excor, Berlin Heart) where only the aortic part was included in the simulations. CFD simulations were performed with constant inflow for the continuous-flow LVADs and time-varying inflow for the pulsatile devices. ⋯ Elevated WSS contralaterally to the anastomosis site was observed in three of the six models with higher values for the continuous cases. Lower WSS and reduced pressure in the ascending aorta, both favorable hemodynamic conditions, were found in pulsatile versus continuous-flow LVADs by means of CFD. These findings indicate, along with clinical observations reported by others, the superior performance of pulsatile LVADs.
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Acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac operations is a serious complication associated with postoperative mortality. Multiple factors contribute to AKI development, principally ischemia-reperfusion injury and inflammatory response. It is well proven that glucocorticoid administration, leukocyte filter application, and miniaturized extracorporeal circuits (MECC) modulate inflammatory response. ⋯ Not all cardiopulmonary bypass-related anti-inflammatory strategies analyzed reduced renal damage after cardiac operations. In adult patients, probably other factors are predominant on inflammation in determining AKI, and only leukocyte filters were effective. Large multicenter RCTs are needed in order to better evaluate the role of inflammation in AKI development after cardiac operations.
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Observational Study
Extracorporeal detoxification for hepatic failure using molecular adsorbent recirculating system: depurative efficiency and clinical results in a long-term follow-up.
Acute liver failure and acute-on-chronic liver failure still show a poor prognosis. The molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS) has been extensively used as the most promising detoxifying therapy for patients with these conditions. Sixty-four patients with life-threatening liver failure were selected, and 269 MARS treatments were carried out as a bridge for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) or for liver function recovery. ⋯ In conclusion, MARS was clinically well tolerated by all patients and significantly reduced hepatic toxins. Better survival rates were linked to an OLT program, but patients' clinical characteristics on starting MARS therapy were the main factors predicting survival. The role of HGF should be evaluated in larger clinical trials.
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Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is used for a variety of procedures in pediatric patients. Flow settings of the CPB pump have dramatic effects on patient outcome, and gaseous microemboli delivery within the CPB circuit has been linked to neurological complications. To ensure the ongoing improvement of pediatric CPB, consistent evaluation and improvement of the equipment is necessary. ⋯ The HL-20 exhibits less stolen blood flow (except at 1200 mL/min) and oxygenator pressure drops in both pulsatile and nonpulsatile mode. Additionally, under pulsatile flow the DP3 delivers greater surplus hemodynamic energy. Both pumps produce relatively few microemboli and deliver adequate hemodynamic energy to the pseudo-patient, with the DP3 performing slightly better under most flow settings.