Publications by authors named "B Heger"

Article Synopsis
  • Thromboembolic ischemic stroke (IS) is a serious risk following the placement of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), complicating surgical treatment due to the use of anticoagulants.
  • A 39-year-old man experienced cardiogenic shock and underwent LVAD placement, but developed acute neurological deficits indicative of IS, which was confirmed by a CT scan; he then underwent emergency decompressive hemicraniectomy.
  • The case highlights that a careful approach to anticoagulation and teamwork in managing post-stroke care following LVAD surgery can lead to improved patient outcomes, including eventual heart transplantation.
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Purpose: To evaluate whether a perioperative open-lung ventilation strategy prevents postoperative pulmonary complications after elective on-pump cardiac surgery.

Methods: In a pragmatic, randomized, multicenter, controlled trial, we assigned patients planned for on-pump cardiac surgery to either a conventional ventilation strategy with no ventilation during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and lower perioperative positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) levels (2 cm HO) or an open-lung ventilation strategy that included maintaining ventilation during CPB along with perioperative recruitment maneuvers and higher PEEP levels (8 cm HO). All study patients were ventilated with low-tidal volumes before and after CPB (6 to 8 ml/kg of predicted body weight).

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Background: To evaluate patient radiation dose and procedural duration recorded during pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) embolisation performed using high-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) as compared with conventional intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) METHODS: Patients undergoing PAVM embolisation with HFJV assistance after April 2017 were retrospectively identified as group A, and those treated with IPPV before April 2017 as group B. Primary outcomes were patient radiation dose and procedural duration between groups A and B. Secondary outcomes were difference in diaphragmatic excursion between groups A and B, in group A with/without HFJ assistance, technical/clinical success, and complications.

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