In patients supported with peripheral veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, what factors are associated with the development of spinal cord ischaemia?

A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was 'in patients supported with peripheral veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, what factors are associated with the development of spinal cord ischaemia'? Altogether, more than 22 papers were found using the reported search, of which 10 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated.

Comparison of percutaneous decannulation and open surgical repair for large-bore arterial access sites of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Introduction: Following weaning of peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support, removal of cannulas and repair of large-bore arterial sites is traditionally by open surgical repair (OSR). The use of a percutaneous vascular closure device (VCD) offers a minimally invasive alternative to OSR with potential for reduced operative complications, reduced hospital length of stay and in-hospital mortality.

Methods: A systematic review of Medline and Embase databases was conducted for studies comparing VCD-assisted decannulation with OSR following decannulation of peripheral ECMO.

A Systematic Review of Microwave Ablation for Colorectal Pulmonary Metastases.

Background/aim: Pulmonary metastases are the second most common site of metastasis in colorectal cancer after the liver, and microwave ablation (MWA) for its treatment has grown in popularity in patients who are not suitable for pulmonary metastatectomy. However, its long-term efficacy remains unknown.

Materials And Methods: A systematic review was conducted in July 2022 in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement, using PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane databases.

Minimally invasive surgical resection of a large primary pulmonary hydatid cyst: a thoracoscopic approach.

Pulmonary hydatid disease is a rare parasitic disease in Australia with few reported cases. The mainstay of treatment in pulmonary hydatid disease is surgical resection followed by medical treatment with benzimidazoles to reduce the risk of recurrence. We present a case of successful resection of a large primary pulmonary hydatid cyst via minimally invasive video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery approach in a 65-year-old gentleman with incidental hepatopulmonary hydatid disease.

Comparison of Microwave and Radiofrequency Ablation in the Treatment of Pulmonary Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer.

Background/aim: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for colorectal cancer pulmonary metastases (CRCPulM) has been shown to be safe. Microwave ablation (MWA) has emerged in the treatment for CRCPulM. However, short to long-term efficacy of both modalities have yet to be understood.

Aorto-cavitary fistula: a rare case of infective endocarditis complicated by aortic root abscess and fistula to the right ventricle.

are a rare cause of infective endocarditis (IE). We present an interesting case of a 51-year-old intravenous drug user with IE of a prosthetic aortic valve and a fistula into the right ventricle. He underwent surgical repair and 6 weeks of intravenous meropenem.

Cytoreductive surgical resection of a rare pulmonary artery intimal sarcoma involving the pulmonary valve and right ventricle: a case report.

Pulmonary artery intimal sarcoma (PAIS) is an extremely rare malignant tumour. It is often misdiagnosed as chronic pulmonary thromboembolism. We describe a complex case in a 70-year-old man with PAIS extending into his right ventricle undergoing salvage cytoreductive surgical resection utilizing bivalirudin for cardiopulmonary bypass anticoagulation due to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis syndrome.

Gastrointestinal surgery and the gut microbiome: a systematic literature review.

Background/objectives: The impact of gastrointestinal surgery on the profile of the human gut microbiome is not fully understood. This review aimed to identify whether there is a change to the profile of the gut microbiome as a result of gastrointestinal surgery.

Subjects/methods: In August 2018, a systematic literature search was conducted in Medline, PreMedline, Embase, CINAHL and The Cochrane Register of Clinical Trials, identifying and critically appraising studies which investigated changes to gut microbiome pre- and post-gastrointestinal surgery.

Judicious use of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors in patients with diabetes on coronavirus-19 pandemic.

Sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), a novel antidiabetic drug blocks the reabsorption of glucose in proximal tubules of kidney, are demonstrated to have cardiovascular and renal benefits for people with diabetes. The benefits are associated with the significant increase of intrarenal angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) expression and blood volume contraction. However, the increased ACE2 may be detrimental to patients infected with the coronavirus infection 2019 (COVID-19), which is found to invade cells via the entry receptor of ACE2.