Journal of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Jan 2024
Use of a New Standardized Unfractionated Heparin Protocol for Left-Sided Ablation Procedures Improves Time in the Therapeutic ACT Range.
This study evaluated whether a novel standardized heparin dosing protocol used during atrial fibrillation catheter ablation resulted in a higher percentage of therapeutic activated clotting time (ACT) values compared to historic nonstandardized procedures. ⋯ During catheter-based cardiac ablation procedures, a novel standardized unfractionated heparin dosing protocol resulted in a higher percentage of ACTs in the target range, and a higher proportion of initial ACTs in the therapeutic range compared with baseline nonstandardized heparin dosing.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Jan 2024
Ultrasound-Enhancing Agent Safely Enhances Left Ventricular Visualization by Transthoracic Echocardiography in Patients on ECMO Support.
The authors investigated if the use of ultrasound-enhancing agents (UEA) can safely improve left ventricular (LV) image quality by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). ⋯ The use of UEA significantly improved the quality of LV biplane images by transthoracic echocardiography, transforming them from suboptimal to good in patients supported with peripherally implanted ECMO. UEA use tripled the feasibility of measuring LVEF by TTE without affecting clinical and ECMO parameters.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Jan 2024
Observational StudyPostoperative Pulmonary Artery Pulsatility Index Improves Prediction of Right Ventricular Failure After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.
This study evaluated whether the postoperative pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPi) is associated with postoperative right ventricular dysfunction after durable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. ⋯ The inclusion of postoperative PAPi offers more robust predictive power for right ventricular failure in patients undergoing durable LVAD implantation, compared with the use of existing risk scores alone.