Manual Carotid Compression is a Viable Alternative for Reduction of Cerebral Microemboli.

Background: Stroke is a devastating complication of cardiovascular surgeries, and the risk is particularly high for those requiring cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Embolic particles generated during the unclamping of the aortic cross-clamp may enter the cerebral circulation, lodging in small vessels. External manual compression of the carotid arteries is a non-invasive technique that has been proposed for cerebral protection during CPB procedures but is not widely deployed.

Mitral Valve Prosthesis Design Affects Hemodynamic Stasis and Shear In The Dilated Left Ventricle.

Dilated cardiomyopathy produces abnormal left ventricular (LV) blood flow patterns that are linked with thromboembolism (TE). We hypothesized that implantation of mechanical heart valves non-trivially influences TE risk in these patients, exacerbating abnormal LV flow dynamics. The goal of this study was to assess how mitral valve design impacts flow and hemodynamic factors associated with TE.

The Effect of Inflow Cannula Length on the Intraventricular Flow Field: An In Vitro Flow Visualization Study Using the Evaheart Left Ventricular Assist Device.

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) inflow cannula malposition is a significant risk for pump thrombosis. Thrombus development is influenced by altered flow dynamics, such as stasis or high shear that promote coagulation. The goal of this study was to measure the intraventricular flow field surrounding the apical inflow cannula of the Evaheart centrifugal LVAD, and assess flow stasis, vortex structures, and pulsatility for a range of cannula insertion depths and support conditions.

Metabolic profiling of cholesterol and sex steroid hormones to monitor urological diseases.

Cholesterol and sex steroid hormones including androgens and estrogens play a critical role in the development and progression of urological diseases such as prostate cancer. This disease remains the most commonly diagnosed malignant tumor in men and is the leading cause of death from different cancers. Attempts to understand the role of cholesterol and steroid metabolism in urological diseases have been ongoing for many years, but despite this, our mechanistic and translational understanding remains elusive.