Impact of preoperative hemodynamic support on early outcome in patients assisted with paracorporeal Thoratec ventricular assist device.

Background: Mechanical circulatory support has become a well-established procedure for some patients with cardiogenic shock. However, patient selection and timing of implantation remains critical. This retrospective study was undertaken to identify preoperative predictors of survival in ICU of patients requiring mechanical circulatory support.

Hemodynamic effects of portal triad clamping with and without pneumoperitoneum: an echocardiographic study.

The decrease of cardiac index observed during portal triad clamping (PTC) with and without pneumoperitoneum has been studied only with right heart catheterization. To better understand this decrease of cardiac index, we investigated the balance between the adequacy of preload and the ability of the heart to pump against an increased afterload, by using transesophageal echocardiography. Ten patients with PTC performed during laparoscopy and 10 with PTC performed during laparotomy were studied.