Vascular thrombosis during support with continuous flow ventricular assist devices: correlation with computerized flow simulations.

Continuous flow pumps are increasingly used to treat severe heart failure. These pumps alter flow physiology by lowering pulsatility in the arterial circulation. In patients with peripheral stenosis, continuous flow pumps may lead to thrombosis of peripheral vessels, possibly predisposing to vascular thrombosis in areas of non-flow-limiting stenosis.

A comparison of 250 and 500 mL of terminal warm blood cardioplegia after global myocardial ischemia: a prospective randomized study.

Background: Controlled reperfusion with terminal warm blood cardioplegia (TWBC) improves myocardial performance after global ischemia. However, the optimum volume required is unknown.

Methods: Fifty patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery were prospectively randomized to receive either 250 or 500 mL of TWBC.