Intravenous ivabradine versus placebo in patients with low cardiac output syndrome treated by dobutamine after elective coronary artery bypass surgery: a phase 2 exploratory randomized controlled trial.

Background: Low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) is a severe condition which can occur after cardiac surgery, especially among patients with pre-existing left ventricular dysfunction. Dobutamine, its first-line treatment, is associated with sinus tachycardia. This study aims to assess the ability of intravenous ivabradine to decrease sinus tachycardia associated with dobutamine infused for LCOS after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

Circulatory Flow Restoration Versus Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: New Therapeutic Approach in Sudden Cardiac Arrest.

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) remains a major problem for health authorities worldwide. Insufficiencies of current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) are most probably related to an inappropriate concept and applied methods that still concentrate on heartbeat as priority, instead of blood circulation to maintain organs' perfusions. The aim of this works is to propose a new therapeutic approach for SCA in a more effective and secure manner compared with current CPR methods.

Shear stress, energy losses, and costs: a resolved dilemma of pulsatile cardiac assist devices.

Cardiac assist devices (CAD) cause endothelial dysfunction with considerable morbidity. Employment of pulsatile CAD remains controversial due to inadequate perfusion curves and costs. Alternatively, we are proposing a new concept of pulsatile CAD based on a fundamental revision of the entire circulatory system in correspondence with the physiopathology and law of physics.

Intrapulmonary shear stress enhancement: a new therapeutic approach in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Objective: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a dysfunctional endothelium disease with increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and poor prognosis. Current therapies are still insufficient. Here we propose a new pulsatile device as a more effective tool for PAH management compared with traditional treatments.

Pulmonary artery dissection and rupture associated with aortopulmonary window.

A 31-year-old man with uncorrected aortopulmonary window and fixed pulmonary hypertension experienced dissection of the pulmonary artery, rapidly complicated by a fatal spontaneous rupture into the pericardium. In the setting of pulmonary hypertension, the diagnosis of dissection and rupture of the pulmonary artery should be considered in cases of thoracic pain or cardiogenic shock.

Interruption of patent ductus arteriosus in children: robotically assisted versus videothoracoscopic surgery.

Objectives: If robotic surgery is to be widely used, the risks must be equivalent to those of standard techniques. This study analyzes the feasibility, safety, and efficiency of a robotically assisted technique for patent ductus arteriosus closure and compares the results with those of the videothoracoscopic technique.

Methods: During 2000, 56 children weighing 2.