Early Antibiotic Prophylaxis Prior to Bypass Surgery Improves Tissue Penetration.

Background: We previously identified preparation of the internal mammary artery as a risk factor significantly impairing antibiotic tissue penetration into the presternal subcutaneous tissue. We, therefore, adapted our dosing schema regarding preoperative timing to overcome this risk factor.

Methods: Eight patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting with a left internal mammary artery and vein grafts were included in this clinical trial.

Can Early Rehabilitation on the General Ward After an Intensive Care Unit Stay Reduce Hospital Length of Stay in Survivors of Critical Illness?: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate if an early rehabilitation program for survivors of critical illness improves functional recovery, reduces length of stay, and reduces hospital costs.

Design: This was a prospective randomized controlled trial. Fifty-three consecutive survivors of critical illness were included in the study.

Cefazolin and linezolid penetration into sternal cancellous bone during coronary artery bypass grafting.

Objectives: Deep sternal wound infection is a severe complication after cardiac surgery. Insufficient antibiotic target site concentrations may account for variable success of perioperative prophylaxis. Therefore, we measured perioperative penetration of cefazolin and of linezolid into sternal cancellous bone after sternotomy in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients by in vivo microdialysis.

Influence of different oxygenator types on changing frequency, infection incidence, and mortality in ARDS patients on veno-venous ECMO.

Purpose: Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vv-ECMO) is pivotal in the treatment of patients suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Comparative data with different oxygenator models have not yet been reported. The aim of this retrospective investigation was therefore to assess whether different oxygenator types might influence changing frequency, infection incidence, and mortality in patients on vv-ECMO.

Dabigatran: patient management in specific clinical settings.

Dabigatran, a direct thrombin inhibitor, is licensed for the prevention of venous thromboembolism after knee and hip replacement, the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation and for the treatment of acute venous thromboembolism. As dabigatran has a favourable benefit-risk profile, it is being increasingly used. Dabigatran differs from vitamin K antagonists as regards its pharmacological characteristics and its impact on certain laboratory tests, and also in the lack of a direct antagonist that can reverse dabigatran-induced anticoagulation.