A Novel Porcine Model of Bilateral Hindlimb Bypass Graft Surgery Integrating Transit Time Flowmetry.

Background: Bypass graft surgery is a key surgical intervention for ischemic heart disease (coronary bypass graft surgery) and critical limb ischemia (peripheral bypass graft surgery). Graft occlusion remains a significant clinical problem for both types. Further research into the pathobiological mechanisms of graft occlusion are needed in order to design targeted therapeutic strategies.

Population pharmacokinetics of caspofungin in critically ill patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-an ASAP ECMO study.

This study aimed to describe the population pharmacokinetics of caspofungin in critically ill patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and to identify dosing regimens with a high likelihood of achieving effective exposures. Serial blood samples were collected over a single-dosing interval during ECMO. Total plasma concentrations were measured by a validated chromatographic assay.

Incorporating Patient and Family Perspectives into ICU Environmental Design: A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis of Existing Literature.

Objective: This review aims to assess the incorporation of patient and family input into intensive care unit (ICU) design processes. It aims to highlight the importance of prioritising patient and family perspectives in ICU design to improve patient experiences and clinical outcomes.

Background: Traditionally, ICU design has focused on clinical efficiency at the expense of patient-centered needs, leading to heavily sedated patients and neglected holistic care delivery.

Neurological Complications and Outcomes in Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19: Results From International Neurological Study Group From the COVID-19 Critical Care Consortium.

Background: In this COVID-19 Critical Care Consortium (CCCC) sub-study, we qualified neurological complications associated with SARS-CoV2 infection.

Methods: The CCCC is an international, multicenter study. Eligible patients were COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU) across 23 centers between 1/7/2020 to 6/23/2022.

Effects of red blood cell transfusion on patients undergoing cardiac surgery in Queensland - a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Packed red blood cell (pRBC) transfusion is a relatively safe and mainstay treatment commonly used in cardiac surgical patients. However, there is limited evidence on clinical effects of transfusing blood nearing end-of shelf life that has undergone biochemical changes during storage.

Objective: To investigate evidence of associations between morbidity/mortality and transfusion of blood near end of shelf-life (> 35 days) in cardiac surgical patients.

Echocardiographic surrogate of left ventricular stroke work in a model of brain stem death donors.

Background: The commonest echocardiographic measurement, left ventricular ejection fraction, can not necessarily predict mortality of recipients following heart transplantation potentially due to afterload dependency. Afterload-independent left ventricular stroke work index (LVSWI) is alternatively recommended by the current guideline; however, pulmonary artery catheters are rarely inserted in organ donors in most jurisdictions. We propose a novel non-invasive echocardiographic parameter, Pressure-Strain Product (PSP), as a potential surrogate of catheter-based LVSWI.

Early myocardial injury in children on doxorubicin for cancer chemotherapy: a cross-sectional study in a tertiary referral centre in Kenya.

Introduction: Use of doxorubicin, an anthracycline chemotherapeutic agent has been associated with late-occurring cardiac toxicities. Detection of early-occurring cardiac effects of cancer chemotherapy is essential to prevent occurrence of adverse events including toxicity, myocardial dysfunction, and death.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of elevated cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and associated factors of myocardial injury in children on doxorubicin cancer chemotherapy.

Comparative analysis of novel esophageal pressure monitoring catheters versus commercially available alternatives in a biomechanical model of the thoracic cavity.

Transpulmonary pressure can be estimated using esophageal balloon (EB) catheters, which come in a variety of manufacturing configurations. We assessed the performance of novel polyurethane EB designs, Aspisafe NG and NG+, against existing alternatives. We created a biomechanical model of the chest cavity using a plastic chamber and an ex-vivo porcine esophagus.

Evolution of distal limb perfusion management in adult peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation with femoral artery cannulation.

Limb ischaemia is a clinically relevant complication of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) with femoral artery cannulation. No selective distal perfusion or other advanced techniques were used in the past to maintain adequate distal limb perfusion. A more recent trend is the shift from the reactive or emergency management to the pro-active or prophylactic placement of a distal perfusion cannula to avoid or reduce limb ischaemia-related complications.

The introduction of a sound reduction bundle in the intensive care unit and its impact on sound levels and patients.

Background: ICU outcomes are continuing to improve. However, this has not been matched by similar improvements of the ICU bedspace environment, which can detrimentally impact on patient outcomes. Excessive sound and noise, especially, has been linked with adverse and potentially preventable patient outcomes and staff errors.