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Cardiac

June 1, 2014
This study assessed whether the application of a poly based hydrogel containing amioderone applied to the epicardium at the time of surgery reduced the incidence of post-operative atrial fibrillation. The study randomised 100 patients undergoing cardiac surgery to either receive the amioderone spray at the time of surgery or no intervention.
May 23, 2014
Stepped wedged cluster randomized control trial from the World Health Organization comparing outcomes in those who received a Checklist.  Implementation of the WHO Surgical Safey Checklist decreased morbidty and hospital length of stay.
May 15, 2014
The researchers performed a systematic review to look at outcomes and complications associated with transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defects (VSD). This analysis suggests that transcatheter device closure of VSD is safe and yields good results.
May 7, 2014
Patients undergoing catheterization and possible PCI have a poor understanding of the procedures and the attendant benefits/risks.  This study investigated the use of a standard consent process compared to a web-based audio-visual presentation.  Both processes resulted in similar improvements in patient comprehension, but the web-based process result
May 7, 2014
A transitional care program was instituted for CABG patients to improve care continuity after hospital discharge.  The composite outcome was a combination of hospital readmission and death.  Among 169 pts who entered the program compared to 232 control patients, program participation was the only independent predictor of improved outcome.  The incide
May 5, 2014
This is a really nice summary article of the new oral antocoagulants which is freely available in full.  It describes the particular complications of the NOAC and cautions in renal failure and recommends safe stopping times before surgery 
April 28, 2014
A Consensus Statement issued by the International Aortic Arch Surgery Study Group, on the standardization of clinical endpoints for aortic arch surgery. This guideline recommends a list important secondary outcomes that should be reported to enable comprehensive analysis of patient outcomes.
April 26, 2014
The new expert opinion paper by the ESC working on the optimal strategy for antiplateletet therapy in patients undergoing CABG
April 9, 2014
Bauters C, et al. – There are limited data on the prognosis of patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) in modern clinical practice. The mortality rate of patients with stable CAD in modern clinical practice is similar to that of the general population and is mostly due to noncardiovascular causes.
April 2, 2014
In this observational study, the utility of decellularized allogeneic pulmonary artery patches for pulmonary arterioplasty was evaluated in 108 patients. No device failures or adverse events were detected. An historical comparison cohort in whom conventional materials were used experienced a 14% failure rate.

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