European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Dec 2011
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyCardiac and neurological assessment of normothermia/warm blood cardioplegia vs hypothermia/cold crystalloid cardioplegia in pediatric cardiac surgery: insight from a prospective randomized trial.
Although normothermia and warm blood cardioplegia are widely used in adults, cold crystalloids and hypothermia remain routinely used in pediatric cardiac surgery. The superiority of either technique in both brain and myocardial protection remains controversial. We designed a prospective randomized study to compare both approaches in terms of early myocardial protection and late neurodevelopmental status. ⋯ This study demonstrates that normothermia/IWBC protocols are not deleterious when compared with more conventional approaches. A more physiologic ATP steady state, reflecting the absence of cellular ischemic insult was observed in the IWBC group. Importantly, no significant difference was found between IWBC and CCC groups in terms of early and late neurodevelopmental status.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Dec 2011
Multicenter StudyIncidence and outcome of Levitronix CentriMag support as rescue therapy for early cardiac allograft failure: a United Kingdom national study.
Primary graft failure is the most common cause of mortality early after heart transplantation. The availability of relatively low-cost short-term mechanical support devices has altered the management of primary graft failure but there are few data on clinical outcome. Here, we describe the UK experience with Levitronix CentriMag support following heart transplantation across multiple centres. ⋯ Primary graft failure remains an important early complication of heart transplantation. Levitronix CentriMag support led to the salvage of 32% of patients with severe allograft failure.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Dec 2011
Multicenter StudyOff-label use of recombinant activated factor VII in intractable haemorrhage after cardiovascular surgery: an observational study of practices in 23 French cardiac centres (2005-7).
The study aimed to describe French off-label use of rFVIIa for intractable bleeding in major cardiovascular surgery. ⋯ rFVIIa rescue therapy was followed by control of bleeding in a substantial number of the patients with seemingly acceptable safety; however, thrombotic risk remains a matter of concern. Our observational study suggests that the dose to be tested prospectively is at least 80 μg.kg(-1).