First experience with the new extracorporeal membrane oxygenation system Colibrì.

Introduction: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is increasingly used for circulatory or pulmonary support not only in-hospital but also out-of-hospital. Small dimensions and a lightweight design are important, especially for out-of-hospital use but also for intra-hospital transportation of patients who require ECMO support. We share our first experience with the new Colibrì ECMO system.

Impact of Age on Endothelial Function of Saphenous Vein Grafts in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Background: An intact and functionally preserved endothelial layer in the graft is crucial for myocardial perfusion and graft patency after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We hypothesized that old age is a risk factor for decreased endothelial function of bypass grafts. Thus, we investigated the impact of age in patients treated with CABG on endothelial function in saphenous vein grafts.

Proteins Adsorbed during Intraoperative Hemoadsorption and Their In Vitro Effects on Endothelium.

(1) Background: Hemoadsorption is a method of blood purification with a wide spectrum of indications. Pre-emptive use of hemoadsorption in patients undergoing heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass is considered to reduce the risk of postoperative systemic inflammatory response syndrome. The current study aimed to identify the spectrum of blood proteins adsorbed on the polymer matrix of the CytoSorb hemoadsorption system and to investigate their influence on cultured endothelial cells in vitro.

On the Localization of Persistent Currents Due to Trapped Magnetic Flux at the Stacking Faults of Graphite at Room Temperature.

Granular superconductivity at high temperatures in graphite can emerge at certain two-dimensional (2D) stacking faults (SFs) between regions with twisted (around the c-axis) or untwisted crystalline regions with Bernal (ABA…) and/or rhombohedral (ABCABCA…) stacking order. One way to observe experimentally such 2D superconductivity is to measure the frozen magnetic flux produced by a permanent current loop that remains after removing an external magnetic field applied normal to the SFs. Magnetic force microscopy was used to localize and characterize such a permanent current path found in one natural graphite sample out of ∼50 measured graphite samples of different origins.

Cardiogenic shock with highly complicated course after influenza A virus infection treated with vva-ECMO and Impella CP (ECMELLA): a case report.

Background: The value of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) in cardiogenic shock, especially the combination of the ECMELLA approach (Impella combined with ECMO), remains controversial.

Case Presentation: A previously healthy 33-year-old female patient was submitted to a local emergency department with a flu-like infection and febrile temperatures up to 39 °C. The patient was tested positive for type-A influenza, however negative for SARS-CoV-2.

Positive impact of retrograde autologous priming in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Adult cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation is known to be associated with increased risk of blood transfusion leading to adverse outcomes. Procedures like retrograde autologous priming (RAP) may reduce these negative side effects. This randomized prospective study was initiated to assess whether RAP using specifically designed RAP bag (Terumo) has immediate effects on patient outcome.

Electrical properties of ZnO single nanowires.

We have investigated the electrical resistance R(T) of ZnO nanowires of ≈ 400 nm diameter as a function of temperature, between 30 K and 300 K, and frequency in the range 40 Hz to 30 MHz. The measurements were done on the as-prepared and after low-energy proton implantation at room temperature. The temperature dependence of the resistance of the wire, before proton implantation, can be well described by two processes in parallel.

EuroSCORE directed intraaortic balloon pump placement in high-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery--retrospective analysis of 267 patients.

Objectives: Intraaortic balloon pump replacement (IABP) is the most widely used circulatory assist device today and is utilized in a wide range of serious cardiovascular conditions. We examined the effects on mortality of pre-, intra-, or postoperative IABP support in patients undergoing cardiac surgery compared to high-risk patients without IABP support.

Methods: Between June 2001 and April 2004, 267 patients either received preoperative IABP support (n=62), an intra- or postoperative IABP (n=113) or had no IABP (n=92).