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Mechanical Circulatory Assistance

February 19, 2016
Three protocols for LVAD resuscitation in different situations.
January 30, 2016
Outcomes of CABG for patients in cardiogenic shock after acute MI were evaluated using data from the STS Database.  The study group of nearly 5,500 patients comprised 1.5% of all CABG patients during the study period.  Operative mortality was 18.7%.  Mechanical circulatory support use was most common in patients with more risk factors or high clinica
January 6, 2016
Michael Acker of the University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, gives an in-depth talk on the current state of temporary mechanical circulatory support practices in the United States.
November 5, 2015
The investigators report a novel technology to predict VAD thrombosis. This approach records and measures acustic signature characteristics. Using annalysis of spectral tracings the investigators suggest their exists an acoustic patern associated with thrombosis.
August 14, 2015
The Texas Heart Institute reports its experience with 27 patients with prior continuous flow LVADs who had undergone varying degrees of device explantation.  Although the numbers are small, the explantation methods ranged from near-complete device removal to driveline transection and removal.
August 12, 2015
A single institution retrospectively reviewed the correlation of preoperative serum albumin level with outcomes after LVAD implantation from 2006 to 2014.  A lower albumin level was associated with a significant increase in postop renal failure and prolonged hospitalization, but not overall short-term and long-term survival.
August 6, 2015
This retrospective analysis of the BTT continuous flow (CF) LVAD experience from Harefield Hospital addresses the question: "What are the predictors of the requirement for an RVAD at the time of LVAD implantation?" Of the 152 patients included in the study, 23% underwent RVAD implantation.
June 30, 2015
In this video, the authors describe their experience using a percutaneous left ventricular assist device (LVAD) as a bridge to transplant in a morbidly obese pediatric patient with severe heart failure due to viral myocarditis.
June 20, 2015
The University of Wisconsin group analyzed the etiology, costs, and effect on survival of unplanned readmissions after LVAD surgery.  At a median follow-up of 11 months, 68 of the 103 patients (66%) were readmitted.  The top 3 causes of readmission were GI bleeding, driveline infection, and stroke.
April 19, 2015
The Mayo Clinic reviewed its series using VA ECMO for postcardiotomy support in patients older than the age of 70 years.  Not surprisingly, only a quarter of patients were able to be discharged alive.

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