Failed attempts and improvement strategies in peripheral intravenous catheterization.

Background: Access to peripheral veins is necessary for sample collection, transfusion and infusion of fluids or medications. The peripheral intravenous catheterization (PIVC) procedure is the introduction of a short catheter into a peripheral vein and can be problematic, leading to multiple failed attempts.

Purpose: To analyze scientific literature regarding difficulties in establishing peripheral intravenous access and improvement strategies.

Is center specific implantation volume a predictor of clinical outcomes with mechanical circulatory support?

This study examined the relationship between implant center volumes and survival rate for implantation of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices. Using the Novacor left ventricular assist system (LVAS) Registry, the study cohort consisted of 1,348 patients with established outcomes from 97 centers stratified by the implant center volume: 1-10 implants (n = 199, 65 centers), 11-25 implants (n = 189, 12 centers), 26-50 implants (n = 445, 13 centers), and more than 51 implants (n = 515, 7 centers). Regression and correlation analyses were performed.

Transcutaneous Energy Transfer with Voltage Regulation for Rotary Blood Pumps.

Rotary blood pumps often require a constant operating voltage. To meet this requirement and to eliminate the need for percutaneous leads, a voltage-regulated transcutaneous energy transfer (TET) system has been developed. Voltage regulation is achieved by using a transcutaneous infrared feedback control loop operating on a 890 nanometer (nm) wavelength.