Apicoaortic Valve Conduit for a Patient with Aortic Valve Stenosis and Patent Coronary Bypass Grafts Using Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

In adults over 65 years of age, aortic valve stenosis has been found to be present in 2-9% within this group. Furthermore, aortic valve replacements in patients whom have had a previous coronary artery bypass grafting surgery have a mortality rate as high as 18%. A non-conventional effective surgical approach of bypassing the aortic valve by inserting an apicoaortic valve conduit (AVC) connecting the left ventricular apex to the descending thoracic aorta has been previously documented.

Safety Testing of Left Ventricular Vent Valves.

Vent vacuum relief valves (VRVs) are used to limit the negative pressure at the ventricular vent catheter tip as well as prevent reversal of blood flow and prevention of air embolism. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of three commercially available ventricular vent valves. The negative pressure at which the vent valve opened was measured at the valve inlet using high-fidelity pressure transducers.

Predicting adult perfusion practice trends and the adoption of evidence-based practice.

In an effort to provide optimal patient care, perfusionists should rely on information provided by current research. Present statistics, however, document a substantial underuse of evidence-based clinical practice and therapies not only in perfusion, but throughout the entire medical field. This investigation applied a statistical method--binomial proportion analysis--to aid in uncovering the trends in perfusion practice from 2004 to 2011.

Transition from ECMO to left ventricular support via trans-septal cannula using a single CentriMag device.

A 67-year-old male presented in cardiogenic shock and multi-system organ failure requiring emergent venous-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). He was deemed ineligible for heart transplantation and a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) was thought to be high risk due to persistent right heart failure. To determine if he could tolerate left ventricular support alone, a trans-septal cannula was placed via the left femoral vein.

A technique for autologous priming of the veno-venous bypass circuit during liver transplantation.

Orthotopic liver transplantations (OLT) have been associated with significant blood loss and hemodilution, necessitating significant homologous blood component replacement. Increasing administration of homologous blood products has been found to be inversely related to patient and graft survival. Various methods to reduce the amount of blood products patients receive during OLT, such as antifibrinolytic therapy, thromboelastography-guided transfusion, phlebotomy, reduced central venous pressures intraoperatively, and the use of the veno-venous bypass (VVB) circuit, have been explored.

Incorporating high fidelity simulation into perfusion education.

The new Perfusion Simulation Center at the Medical University of South Carolina provides a new level of high fidelity simulation training for perfusion students. A key component is the Orpheus Perfusion Simulator which is a computer-driven simulator integrated with the mechanical connections of the heart-lung machine to allow for real time operative procedures and perfusion incidents. Due to the ability to consistently reproduce cardiac surgical scenarios, it is possible to develop both basic perfusion skills as well as advanced emergency skills more effectively than with animal models.

Gravity separation of pericardial fat in cardiotomy suction blood: an in vitro model.

Fat emboli generated during cardiac surgery have been shown to cause neurologic complications in patients postoperatively. Cardiotomy suction has been known to be a large generator of emboli. This study will examine the efficacy of a separation technique in which the cardiotomy suction blood is stored in a cardiotomy reservoir for various time intervals to allow spontaneous separation of fat from blood by density.

Trends and emerging technologies in extracorporeal life support: results of the 2006 ECLS survey.

Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is a procedure used to support the failing heart and/or lungs via a heart lung machine. Over 145 institutions perform this practice in the United States with more than 24,000 ECLS cases recorded. While many articles are published each year on common perfusion practice, little information is shared on emerging technologies in ECLS and common practices among perfusionists and ECLS specialists.

Barriers to the acceptance and use of autologous platelet gel.

The process of producing and applying platelet concentrate (gel) to wounds has been shown by several researchers to accelerate healing and promote tissue regeneration in a broad spectrum of healthcare practices. Despite the evidence, widespread adoption of this technology has not occurred. The purpose of this research is to identify those factors acting as barriers to the adoption of platelet gel use.