Virtual reality simulation as a training tool for perfusionists in extracorporeal circulation: Establishing face and content validity.

Objective: We conducted a prospective study to assess the face and content validity of a new virtual reality (VR) extracorporeal circulation simulator (ECC) developed for perfusionists to facilitate training and practice. We evaluated the opinions of students and staff members about the feasibility of the simulation. The 2 groups consisted of experts (qualified perfusionists) and novices (trainee perfusionists).

Potentially clinically relevant concentrations of Cefazolin, Midazolam, Propofol, and Sufentanil in auto-transfused blood in congenital cardiac surgery.

Background: Use of donor blood in congenital cardiac surgery increases the risk for post-operative morbidity and mortality. To reduce the need for allogenic blood transfusion a technique for peri-operative mechanical red cell salvage is applied. Blood from the operation site is collected in a reservoir, processed, passed through a lipophilic filter and returned to the patient.

Donor pretreatment with carbamylated erythropoietin in a brain death model reduces inflammation more effectively than erythropoietin while preserving renal function.

Objective: We hypothesized that donor treatment of deceased brain dead donors would lead to a decrease in inflammatory responses seen in brain death and lead to a restoration of kidney function.

Design: A standardized slow-induction rat brain death model followed by evaluation of kidney function in an isolated perfused kidney model.

Settings: Surgery Research Laboratory, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands.

The gradual onset brain death model: a relevant model to study organ donation and its consequences on the outcome after transplantation.

Organs used for transplantation are usually derived from heart-beating brain dead donors. However, brain death is known to have negative effects on donor organ quality, previously studied using a difficult to control sudden onset experimental model. We have now developed a reproducible gradual onset brain death model in rats without requiring inotropic support.