Early postoperative undernutrition following aortic valve replacement surgery.

Background: Experiencing loss of appetite after cardiac surgery is often noted during daily care and has been described by several studies. However, no information is available on either energy needs or spontaneous food intake following aortic valve replacement surgery. The goal of this study was to assess the risk of early postoperative undernutrition following aortic valve replacement in a group of patients who were preoperatively well-nourished.

Haemodynamic performance of the small supra-annular Trifecta bioprosthesis: results from a French multicentre study.

Objectives: The St Jude Medical Trifecta bioprosthesis incorporates a single pericardial sheet externally mounted on a titanium stent that provides excellent haemodynamic results. The purpose of this multicentre study was to report on the haemodynamic performance and the expected lower risk of prosthesis-patient mismatch in patient with small aortic annulus diameters.

Methods: The 19- and 21-mm Trifecta valves were implanted in 88 and 266 eligible patients, respectively between 2011 and 2013 at three centres in France (Angers, Rennes and Amiens).

Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Cardiac Surgery: Prevalence and Modality of use.

Background: Complementary and alternative medicines are developing at a growing rate but their use in the hospital setting is little known, ignoring risk or benefit in practice. The objectives of the study were to quantify the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicines used by patients admitted to a cardiac surgery department.

Methods: Patients and staff at the Cardiac Surgery unit of Angers University Hospital (France) were surveyed regarding their modality of complementary and alternative medicines use, between April 01, 2013, and April 18, 2014, by means of an anonymous questionnaire.

Ex vivo simulation of cardiopulmonary bypass with human blood for hemocompatibility testing.

Object: Experimental circuits for biomaterial surface testing are frequently limited by the tested blood volume, composition of the circuit, flow conditions and the use of animal blood. This report describes an ex vivo set-up for simulated cardiopulmonary bypass with human blood perfusion. We investigated the clinical generalizability of the observed effects on hematological and metabolic parameters and the hemocompatibility of the system.

An ex vivo evaluation of blood coagulation and thromboresistance of two extracorporeal circuit coatings with reduced and full heparin dose.

Objectives: Bioactive Carmeda® heparin-coated extracorporeal circuits (ECCs) have been shown to reduce contact phase and coagulation activation during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Heparin coating is therefore effective in safely reducing coagulation during routine CPB. Balance® Biosurface is a new, recently developed biopassive coating containing negatively charged sulphonated polymers.