Sodium-hydrogen exchange inhibition by cariporide to reduce the risk of ischemic cardiac events in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting: results of the EXPEDITION study.

Background: The EXPEDITION study addressed the efficacy and safety of inhibiting the sodium hydrogen exchanger isoform-1 (NHE-1) by cariporide in the prevention of death or myocardial infarction (MI) in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The premise was that inhibition of NHE-1 limits intracellcular Na accumulation and thereby limits Na/Ca-exchanger-mediated calcium overload to reduce infarct size.

Methods: High-risk coronary artery bypass graft surgery patients (n = 5,761) were randomly allocated to receive either intravenous cariporide (180 mg in a 1-hour preoperative loading dose, then 40 mg per hour over 24 hours and 20 mg per hour over the subsequent 24 hours) or placebo.

The impact of computerized decision support systems on documentation skills.

The focus of this study is to examine the possibilities of students improving their documentation skills through the use of a Computerized Decision Support (CDS) system. During this ongoing 2 year project, we will assess the CDS used in this study by following 3 classes, where only one is using the CDS. Students, teachers and nurses in practice will be interviewed.

Risk factor identification and mortality prediction in cardiac surgery using artificial neural networks.

Objective: The artificial neural network model is a nonlinear technology useful for complex pattern recognition problems. This study aimed to develop a method to select risk variables and predict mortality after cardiac surgery by using artificial neural networks.

Methods: Prospectively collected data from 18,362 patients undergoing cardiac surgery at 128 European institutions in 1995 (the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation database) were used.

Long-term outcome of the MitroFlow pericardial bioprosthesis in the elderly after aortic valve replacement.

Background And Aim Of The Study: The current trend in Europe and the USA demonstrates an increased number of tissue valves being implanted. However, studies presenting long-term follow up of the Mitroflow pericardial bioprosthesis are relatively scarce. In the present study, the long-term outcome of the Mitroflow in the aortic position was analyzed in a geriatric population using actuarial statistics; risk factors for early and late mortality were also evaluated.

Quality of life in the very elderly after cardiac surgery: a comparison of SF-36 between long-term survivors and an age-matched population.

Background: Octogenarians are the fastest growing section of the population in Western countries. Since health care resources are limited, there is a need for critical evaluations of the long-term surgical outcome and quality of life in the elderly.

Objectives: Our aim was to assess the quality of life and long-term survival after cardiac surgery in the very elderly.