This single institution retrospective study analyzed the effects of single vs multiple complications on acute outcomes to help identify interactions among complications that might predict outcomes. Over a 4 year period 366 pts experienced a complication and 102 of these had 2 or more complications. Multiple complications were associated with mortal
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Intensive Care
July 18, 2016
A handy mini-textbook on ECMO
July 5, 2016
Acute kidney injury (AKI) complicates recovery from cardiac surgery in up to 30% of patients, injures and impairs the function of the brain, lungs, and gut, and places patients at a 5-fold increased risk of death during hospitalization.
June 4, 2016
The authors analyzed long-term outcomes after cardiac surgery in nearly 10,000 patients to evaluate the mortality risk of blood transfusion. Sex-mismatched transfusion increased mortality, and use of non-leukocyte-depleted blood was associated with increased mortality. The age of the blood productes was not related to mortality.
May 5, 2016
The author summarizes the challenges but tremendous potential of mechanical circulatory support for infants and children undergoing heart surgery.
March 27, 2016
Norepinephrine is often used to maintain the mean pressure during open heart surgery but it is said that it could constrict cerebral arteries, reducing cerebral blood flow. Is it true? The authors explored the association of Norepi doses and rSO2 measured using near-infrared spectroscopy.
March 14, 2016
Early hepatic dysfunction has previously been reported to be an independent risk factor for poor prognosis in critical ill patients. Hepatic and bowel ischemic complication are unfortunately common in patients that require venoarterial (VA) ECMO therapy following a cardiac surgery procedure.
March 7, 2016
This is a very interesting and provocative article that discusses Exracorporeal Cardiac Life Support (ECLS) as an adjunct to CPR. ECLS has gained in popularity with new tools and techniques, ECLS guidelines, protocols and better understanding of the importance of early initiation.
March 4, 2016
Lactic acidosis is a very common biological issue for the postoperative patient with shock. This very nice review addresses thehemodynamic consequences of shock-associated lactic acidosis and highlights the various therapeutic options that can be considered by the bedside clinician.
March 4, 2016
The optimal timing of tracheotomy in critically ill patients remains a topic of debate. The Authors performed a systematic review to clarify the potential benefits of early versus late tracheotomy. Three categories of timing of tracheotomy (within 4 versus after 10 days, within 4 versus after 5 days, within 10 versus after 10 days) were analyzed.