Journal of cardiac surgery
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Continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) produces supraphysiologic shear stress that causes von Willebrand factor (VWF) degradation and a bleeding diathesis. Reduction of revolutions per minute (RPM) with axial-flow LVADs does not decrease shear stress enough to reduce VWF degradation and bleeding. However, it is unknown if RPM reduction with centrifugal flow LVADs may minimize VWF degradation. We tested the hypothesis that RPM reduction preserves VWF multimers in the centrifugal-flow EVAHEART left ventricular assist system (LVAS), which is designed to minimize shear stress and blood trauma. ⋯ RPM reduction significantly reduced VWF degradation with the centrifugal-flow EVAHEART LVAS, an LVAD specifically designed with low shear stress. Different LVADs have unique hematologic footprints and should be managed with device-specific protocols. Adjustment of RPM to minimize blood trauma while still maintaining physiologic hemodynamics has the potential to decrease complications related to LVAD-associated von Willebrand's disease, such as gastrointestinal bleeding and hemorrhagic stroke.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of preincisional and postincisional parasternal intercostal block on postoperative pain in cardiac surgery.
The optimum cardiac surgical pain management has known to maintain hemodynamic stability and, reduces respiratory and cardiovascular complications. Postoperative parasternal intercostal block has shown to reduce postoperative analgesic consumption after cardiac surgery. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the effectiveness of the preoperative ultrasound guided parasternal block in reducing postoperative pain after cardiac surgery. ⋯ Preoperative and postoperative parasternal intercostal block provide comparable pain relief during the postoperative period.
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Multicenter Study
The role of extracorporeal life support for patients with COVID-19: Preliminary results from a statewide experience.
There is a paucity of clinical data on critically ill patients with COVID-19 requiring extracorporeal life support. ⋯ These preliminary multi-institutional data from a statewide collaborative offer insight into the clinical characteristics of the first 10 patients requiring ECMO for COVID-19 and their initial clinical course. Greater morbidity and mortality is likely to be seen in these critically ill patients with longer follow-up.
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In adult congenital patients with transposition of the great arteries originally treated with the Mustard (atrial switch) procedure, the most common reason for re-intervention is baffle stenosis. This may be exacerbated by permanent transvenous pacemaker lead placement across the baffle. ⋯ Use of the mechanical rotating dilator sheath is an evolving treatment strategy in adult congenital heart disease to minimize the risk of bleeding, trauma to surrounding structures, and death. Its ability to fully alleviate baffle stenosis even when full lead extraction is not feasible or is associated with significant procedural risk, further demonstrates its expanded role in this patient population. A multidisciplinary approach and great diligence must be employed to avoid potential complications.