Serum Lidocaine Levels in Adult Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery With del Nido Cardioplegia.

Background: Lidocaine in del Nido cardioplegia solution prolongs the refractory period of cardiomyocytes, yielding a longer arrest per dose. Serum lidocaine concentrations >8 mg/L are associated with seizure and cardiotoxicity. We evaluated serum lidocaine concentrations in patients receiving del Nido solution during cardiac surgery.

Use of TIMP-2 and IGFBP-7 for prediction of postoperative acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery.

Background: The following cell cycle arrest urinary biomarkers, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP-7), have been used for early detection of acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically ill patients. The purpose of this study is to validate the use of these urinary biomarkers in patients undergoing open heart surgery.

Materials And Methods: In a single-center prospective observational study, urine samples were collected in 108 consecutive patients who underwent open heart surgery immediately after separation from cardiopulmonary bypass and on postoperative day 1, and were sent for the biomarker [TIMP-2]*[IGFBP7] analysis.

Assessment of cardiac recovery in patients supported with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Aims: Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is increasingly being used to support patients in cardiogenic shock (CS). Early determination of disposition is paramount, as longer durations of support have been associated with worse outcomes. We describe a stepwise, bedside weaning protocol to assess cardiopulmonary recovery during VA-ECMO.

Hypermetabolism in critically ill patients with COVID-19 and the effects of hypothermia: A case series.

Background: We have observed that critically ill patients with COVID-19 are in an extreme hypermetabolic state. This may be a major contributing factor to the extraordinary ventilatory and oxygenation demands seen in these patients. We aimed to quantify the extent of the hypermetabolic state and report the clinical effect of the use of hypothermia to decrease the metabolic demand in these patients.

Hypermetabolism and Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Background: Hypermetabolism has been described in stress states such as trauma, sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and severe burn injuries. We hypothesize that patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may develop a hypermetabolic state, which may be a major contributing factor to the extraordinary ventilatory and oxygenation demands in patients with COVID-19.

Method: Resting energy expenditure (REE), carbon dioxide production (VCO ), and oxygen consumption (VO ) were measured by indirect calorimetry on 7 critically ill patients with COVID-19.