European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jun 2009
Review Meta AnalysisTracheal rupture after endotracheal intubation: a literature systematic review.
We aim to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the cases of postintubation tracheal rupture (PiTR) published in the literature, with the aim of determining the risk factors that contribute to tracheal rupture during endotracheal intubation. A further objective has been to determine the ideal treatment for this condition (surgical repair or conservative management). A MEDLINE review of cases of tracheal rupture after intubation published in the English language and a review of the references in the articles found. ⋯ Conservative treatment is associated with a better outcome. However, the group of patients who would benefit from surgical treatment has not been fully defined. Further studies are required to evaluate the best treatment options.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jun 2009
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyThe effect of fenoldopam and dopexamine on hepatic blood flow and hepatic function following coronary artery bypass grafting with hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass.
Hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with low perfusion state causing a mismatch between demand and supply to various organs such as gut, kidneys and brain. The consequences are thought to be responsible for postoperative complications like systemic inflammatory response, renal failure, neurological injury, etc. Pharmacological agents like dopamine, dopexamine and dobutamine have been used in an attempt to reduce hypoperfusion and hence complications. Fenoldopam, a dopamine analog (DA-1 receptor agonist), has recently been shown to be specific reno-splanchnic vasodilator in animal studies. We studied the haemodynamic effects of fenoldopam and its effect on hepatic blood flow (HBF) during and after cardiopulmonary bypass and compared these with dopexamine. ⋯ Fenoldopam infusion induced transient tachycardia, with no augmentation of hepatic blood flow whereas dopexamine induced tachycardia and did not augment hepatic blood flow. Fenoldopam and dopexamine may have hepato-protective effect.
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Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery remains the procedure of choice for coronary artery revascularisation in a large number of patients with severe CHD. ⋯ Myocardial injury sustained during cardiac surgery, most of which can be attributed to acute myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury, is associated with worse short-term and long-term clinical outcomes. Clearly, new treatment strategies are required to protect the heart during cardiac surgery in terms of reducing myocardial injury and preserving left ventricular systolic function, such that clinical outcomes can be improved. 'Conditioning' the heart to harness its endogenous cardioprotective capabilities using either brief ischaemia or pharmacological agents, provides a potentially novel approach to myocardial protection during cardiac surgery, and is the subject of this review article.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jun 2009
Randomized Controlled TrialIntra-aortic balloon pump induced pulsatile perfusion reduces endothelial activation and inflammatory response following cardiopulmonary bypass.
Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP)-induced pulsatile perfusion has demonstrated that it can preserve organ function during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). We evaluated the role of IABP pulsatile perfusion on endothelial response. ⋯ IABP-induced pulsatile perfusion allows lower endothelial activation during CPB and higher anti-inflammatory cytokines secretion.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Jun 2009
Case ReportsAcquired von Willebrand syndrome after exchange of the HeartMate XVE to the HeartMate II ventricular assist device.
Instead of pulsatile ventricular assist devices an increasing number of nonpulsatile ventricular assist devices are introduced to clinical practice. The different flow characteristics of this new technique lead to alteration in shear stress on blood components, which may affect the coagulation system. Repeated von Willebrand factor analyses were performed in a patient who first was implanted with a pulsatile ventricular assist device (Thoratec HeartMate XVE), which had to be replaced after 405 days with an axial flow device (HeartMate II). ⋯ Inhibition of platelet function was also observed, which may be in part due to the von Willebrand syndrome. The HeartMate II axial flow device may induce von Willebrand syndrome, which was not observed in HeartMate XVE pulsatile ventricular assist device. Patients put on continuous flow devices should be screened for acquired von Willebrand syndrome.