Interhospital Variability in 180-day Infections Following Cardiac Surgery.

Objective: This study sought to: (1) evaluate hospital-level variation in infections following cardiac surgery and (2) develop and evaluate a 180-day infection quality metric.

Methods: This study evaluated Medicare claims that were merged with institutional Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database files among patients undergoing cardiac surgery across 33 Michigan centers. The primary outcome was an infection within 180 days of surgery.

A Nationwide Evaluation of Cardiothoracic Resident Research Productivity.

Background: Evaluating the research productivity of cardiothoracic surgery residents during their training and early career is crucial for tracking their academic development. To this end, the training pathway of residents and the characteristics of their program in relation to their productivity were evaluated.

Methods: Alumni lists from integrated 6-year thoracic surgery (I-6) and traditional thoracic surgery residency programs were collected.

Oxygen Delivery Thresholds During Cardiopulmonary Bypass and Risk for Acute Kidney Injury.

Background: Postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in cardiac surgery patients is multifactorial and associated with low oxygen delivery (DO) during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Methods: Cardiac surgical patients undergoing full cardiopulmonary bypass between May 1, 2016 and December 31, 2021 were included, whereas those on preoperative dialysis, undergoing circulatory arrest procedures, or lacking minute-to-minute physiologic data were excluded. A 5-minute running average of indexed DO (DOi, mL/min/m) was calculated ([pump flow] × [hemoglobin] × 1.

Adult Clinical Perfusion Practice Survey: 2020 results.

: Cardiovascular perfusion is a dynamic healthcare profession where new practices are frequently introduced. Despite the emergence of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines, little is known about their dissemination at the institutional level. Clinical practice surveys have been used to identify current trends in perfusion practice in the areas of equipment, techniques, and staffing.