Human immunodeficiency virus infection is associated with greater risk of pneumonia and readmission after cardiac surgery.

Objective: Human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV+) is associated with a 2-fold increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Increasingly, patients who are HIV + are being evaluated to undergo cardiac surgery. Current risk-adjusted scoring systems, including the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality score, fail to stratify HIV + risk.

The Impact of Bicuspid Aortic Valve Leaflet Fusion Morphology on the Ascending Aorta and on Outcomes of Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background: Patients with bicuspid aortic valves (BAVs) tend to develop dilation of the ascending aorta. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of leaflet fusion pattern on aortic root diameter and outcomes in patients undergoing surgery for BAV vs tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) disease.

Methods: This is a retrospective review of 90 patients with aortic valve disease (mean [SD] age, 51.

Using value-based analysis to influence outcomes in complex surgical systems.

Background: Value-based analysis (VBA) is a management strategy used to determine changes in value (quality/cost) when a usual practice (UP) is replaced by a best practice (BP). Previously validated in clinical initiatives, its usefulness in complex systems is unknown. To answer this question, we used VBA to correct deficiencies in cardiac surgery at Memorial Healthcare System.

Gastrointestinal complications following cardiac surgery: a comprehensive review.

Introduction: Gastrointestinal (GI) complications following cardiac surgery are associated with a high morbidity and mortality, prolonged hospital stay and increased cost of hospitalization.

Methods: A literature search was carried out using Medline for articles published in the past 30 years. Prospective and retrospective papers that dealt with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), CABG/valve operations were selected and those that dealt with thoracic and transplant complications were excluded.

Peripheral arterial cannulation for Abiomed BVS 5000 left ventricular assist device support.

The Abiomed BVS 5000 is an external, pulsatile, ventricular assist device typically used for short-term mechanical support in post-cardiotomy patients experiencing cardiogenic shock when myocardial recovery is expected. We describe an as yet unreported approach where the left common femoral artery was utilized for Abiomed left ventricular assist device cannulation after reoperative mitral valve surgery.