A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Examining the Impact of Age on Perioperative Inflammatory Biomarkers.

Background: Dysregulation of immune responses to surgical stress in older patients and those with frailty may manifest as differences in inflammatory biomarkers. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine differences in perioperative inflammatory biomarkers between older and younger patients, and between patients with and without frailty.

Methods: MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, and CINAHL databases were searched (Inception to June 23, 2020).

Prophylaxis for patients at Risk to Eliminate Post-operative Atrial Fibrillation (PREP-AF trial): a protocol for a feasibility randomized controlled study.

Background: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a frequent adverse event after thoracic surgery with associated morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. It has been shown to be preventable with prophylactic amiodarone, which is only recommended in high-risk individuals due to the potential associated side effects. Risk factors for POAF have been identified and incorporated into a prediction model to identify high-risk patients.

External Validation and Updating of the Cardiac Surgery Score for Prediction of Mortality in a Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit.

Objective: To externally validate the predictive performance of the logistic and additive Cardiac Surgery Score (CASUS), a postoperative severity of illness score designed specifically for prediction of mortality in the cardiac surgery intensive care unit.

Design: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data between July 1, 2012, and September 30, 2015.

Setting: Single university cardiac surgery intensive care unit in Canada.

Association of Frailty and Long-Term Survival in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Background: Frailty is increasing in prevalence and poses a formidable challenge for clinicians. The cardiac surgery literature consists primarily of small single-center studies with limited follow-up, and the epidemiological features of frailty remain to be elucidated in long-term follow-up.

Methods And Results: We conducted a population-based, retrospective, cohort study in Ontario, Canada, between 2008 and 2015.

Practice meta-environment of the cardiovascular perfusionist.

Though historically the development of cardiovascular perfusion grew out of the need for cardiopulmonary bypass, the application of technologies of extracorporeal support has more recently expanded beyond the traditional domain of the cardiac surgical operative and peri-operative environment. As a result, perfusionists are sometimes required to work in novel clinical settings. As part of our recent national survey to evaluate the effects of changes in entry-to-practice criteria introduced in Canada in 2006, we asked perfusionists if their current position as a perfusionist involves work outside the OR.

Prospective External Validation of Three Preoperative Risk Scores for Prediction of New Onset Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Surgery.

Background: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is associated with early and late morbidity and mortality of cardiac surgical patients. Prophylactic treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) has been recommended to improve outcome in cardiac surgical patients at high risk of developing POAF. Reliable models for prediction of POAF are needed to achieve that goal.

Effects of a change in entry-to-practice criteria for cardiovascular perfusion in Canada: results of a national survey.

Introduction: Years of experience and level of education are two important determinants of a clinician's expertise. While entry-to-practice criteria for admission to perfusion training in Canada changed from clinical experience-based criteria to education-based criteria in 2006, the effects of these changes have not been studied.

Objective: To determine the academic and clinical backgrounds of perfusionists in Canada, ascertain perceptions about the adequacy of training and evaluate the effects of the changes on the composition of the perfusion community of Canada.

Rocuronium versus succinylcholine for rapid sequence induction intubation.

Background: Patients often require a rapid sequence induction (RSI) endotracheal intubation technique during emergencies or electively to protect against aspiration, increased intracranial pressure, or to facilitate intubation. Traditionally succinylcholine has been the most commonly used muscle relaxant for this purpose because of its fast onset and short duration; unfortunately, it can have serious side effects. Rocuronium has been suggested as an alternative to succinylcholine for intubation.

Predicting New-Onset Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation in Cardiac Surgery Patients.

Objective: To derive a simple clinical prediction rule identifying patients at high risk of developing new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after cardiac surgery.

Design: Retrospective analysis on prospectively collected observational data.

Setting: A university-affiliated cardiac hospital.

Comparison of the EuroSCORE and Cardiac Anesthesia Risk Evaluation (CARE) score for risk-adjusted mortality analysis in cardiac surgery.

Objective: The European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) and the Cardiac Anesthesia Risk Evaluation (CARE) score are risk indices designed in the mid-1990 s to predict mortality after cardiac surgery. This study assesses their ability to provide risk-adjusted mortality in a contemporary cardiac surgical population.

Methods: The mortality probability was estimated with the additive and logistic EuroSCORE, and CARE score, for 3818 patients undergoing cardiac surgery at one institution between 1 April 2006 and 31 March 2009.

Disulfonated tetraphenyl chlorin (TPCS2a), a novel photosensitizer developed for clinical utilization of photochemical internalization.

Photochemical internalisation (PCI) is a novel technology for release of endocytosed macromolecules into the cytosol. The technology is based on the use of photosensitizers that locate in endocytic vesicles, and that upon activation by light induce a release of macromolecules from the endocytic vesicles. PCI has been shown to stimulate delivery of a large variety of macromolecules and other molecules that do not readily penetrate the plasma membrane.

Ternary nanoclusters of CuHgS, CuHgSe, and CuInS.

Two copper-mercury-chalcogenide clusters [Hg(15)Cu(20)E(25)(PPr(3))(18)] (1, E = S; 2, E = Se) are synthesized in good yield from the reaction of (Pr(3)P)(3)Cu-ESiMe(3) and (Pr(3)P)(2).Hg(OAc)(2) at low temperatures. Single-crystal X-ray analyses illustrate that the two ternary clusters are isomorphous and consist of a phosphine-stabilized core of mixed Hg, Cu, and E centers.