The authors reviewed the retrospective INTERMACS database to assess whether outcomes after continuous-flow (CF) LVAD implantation varied with patient BSA. A total of over 10,000 CF LVAD patients were included. Of these, 231 (2%) had a BSA < 1.5 m².
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Mechanical circulatory assistance
February 15, 2017
February 8, 2017
Professor Stephen Westaby of John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK, gives an overview of the use of temporary mechanical support for postcardiotomy failure.
February 5, 2017
A review of particular interest for procurement (retrieval) of hearts after brain injury, especially subarachnoid bleeding, the commonest cause of death in DBD in our practice. The authors discuss, amongst other things, the early stress micro-infarcts that may limit the performance of the donated heart, especally in female donors with sub a
January 31, 2017
The authors of this review article offer an approach to the utilization of a contempory mechanical circulatory support devices. They further provide insights of the key role that well-functioning interdisciplinary teams contribute to the success of a MCS program and future directions to consider as this field continues to rapidly evolve.
January 27, 2017
Rajamiyer Venkateswaran of Mythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, UK, discusses temporary mechanical circulatory support as a bridge to transplantation in cases of cardiogenic shock.
January 25, 2017
In a bold and very challenging move, thoracic surgeons at Toronto General Hospital (TGH) removed severely infected lungs from a dying mom, keeping her alive without them for six days, so that she could recover enough to receive a life-saving lung transplant.
January 13, 2017
With the everpresent question of potentially extending LVAD therapy to ambulatory patients with advanced heart failure, the authors--using a Markov model--projected the incremental cost-efffectiveness ratio (ICER) of DT LVADs in this population as compared to conventional medical therapy.
November 23, 2016
An institutional registry of ECMO patients was surveyed to determine predictors of survival among patients receiving ECMO in the presence of sepsis. Among 151 studied patients, pneumonia was the most common cause of sepsis. Mortality was predicted by advanced age, longer door-to ECMO times, gram-negative sepsis, and sepsis due to infections other t
October 13, 2016
This single-center study explored the relationship between spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) and the incidence of thromboembolism and CVA in 98 patients undergoing peripheral VA ECMO. Twenty-two percent of patients had SEC while they were on ECMO. Those exhibiting SEC had significantly higher rates of intracardiac thrombus (46% v.
September 19, 2016
It’s well known that VAD and ECMO are associated with bleeding and decreased platelet activity. This study investigated whether loss of platelet receptors occurred in 21 VAD patients and 20 ECMO patients.