Active Bleeding after Cardiac Surgery: A Prospective Observational Multicenter Study.

Main Objectives: To estimate the incidence of active bleeding after cardiac surgery (AB) based on a definition directly related on blood flow from chest drainage; to describe the AB characteristics and its management; to identify factors of postoperative complications.

Methods: AB was defined as a blood loss > 1.5 ml/kg/h for 6 consecutive hours within the first 24 hours or in case of reoperation for hemostasis during the first 12 postoperative hours.

[Vasoreactivity changes during extracorporeal circulation: effects of halogenated agents].

During cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), endothelium is exposed to multiple disturbances leading to significant vasomotor tone and vascular systemic resistances (VSR) level modifications. Properties of endothelial function on vascular tone were summarized herein. According bibliographic findings, physiological and clinical impacts of respectively halogenated agents and CPB concerning vasomotor tone were reported.

Antithrombin level and circuit thrombosis during hemofiltration after cardiopulmonary bypass.

Objective: Hemofilter thrombosis occurs frequently during continuous veno-venous hemofiltration in intensive care units. Among coagulation disorders, antithrombin deficiency has been shown to be linked to hemofilter thrombosis. We investigated whether there was an association between antithrombin level activity and hemofilter thrombosis occurrence during early continuous hemofiltration following cardiopulmonary bypass.

[Lepirudin during cardiopulmonary bypass in a patient with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia].

Lepirudin is an alternative anticoagulant therapy in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). We report a case of a female patient with HIT referred for aortocoronary bypass graft despite persistence of antibodies to platelet factor 4-heparin complexes. Anticoagulation management is described.