Quantitative Analogue Simulation of Planar Molecules.

Synthetic quantum systems provide a pathway for exploring the physics of complex quantum matter in a programmable fashion. This approach becomes particularly advantageous when it comes to systems that are thermodynamically unfavorable. By sculpting the potential landscape of Cu(111) surfaces with carbon monoxide quantum corrals in a cryogenic scanning tunneling microscope, we created analogue simulators of planar organic molecules, including antiaromatic and non-Kekulé species that are generally reactive or unstable.

Developing an Anti-Xa-Based Anticoagulation Protocol for Patients with Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Devices.

Because of the complexities associated with anticoagulation in temporary percutaneous ventricular assist device (pVAD) recipients, a lack of standardization exists in their management. This retrospective analysis evaluates current anticoagulation practices at a single center with the aim of identifying an optimal anticoagulation strategy and protocol. Patients were divided into two cohorts based on pVAD implanted (CentriMag (Thoratec; Pleasanton, CA) / TandemHeart (CardiacAssist; Pittsburgh, PA) or Impella (Abiomed, Danvers, MA)), with each group individually analyzed for bleeding and thrombotic complications.

Management of LVAD Patients for Noncardiac Surgery: A Single-Institution Study.

Objective: To describe the experience regarding the perioperative management of patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) who require anesthesia while undergoing noncardiac surgery (NCS) at a single medical center.

Design: Retrospective chart review

Setting: Academic medical center

Participants: Patients with LVADs

Interventions: Medical records from April 1, 2009 through January 31, 2014 were reviewed for patients who underwent Heartmate II LVAD placement at this facility. Individual records were reviewed for NCS after LVAD placement, specifically investigating perioperative and anesthetic management.

Management of aortic valve bypass surgery.

The 3 leading causes of aortic stenosis (AS) in adults are calcific degeneration of a normal trileaflet aortic valve (AV), calcific degeneration of a congenital bicuspid AV, and rheumatic AS. Therapeutic options in patients with severe AS include aortic valve replacement (AVR), transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), or aortic valve bypass (AVB). An AVB involves the placement of a valved conduit between the apex of the left ventricle and the descending thoracic aorta.

Early postoperative outcomes and blood product utilization in adult cardiac surgery: the post-aprotinin era.

Background: Aprotinin was a commonly used pharmacological agent for homeostasis in cardiac surgery but was discontinued, resulting in the extensive use of lysine analogues. This study tested the hypothesis that early postoperative adverse events and blood product utilization would affected in this post-aprotinin era.

Methods And Results: Adult patients (n=781) undergoing coronary artery bypass, valve replacement, or both from November 1, 2005, to October 31, 2008, at a single institution were included.

Combined carotid endarterectomy and coronary artery bypass grafting versus coronary artery bypass grafting alone: a retrospective review of outcomes at our institution.

Background: It remains controversial whether patients with concomitant carotid and coronary disease should undergo operative repair separately or in combination.

Methods: Patients with documented cerebrovascular disease undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) alone were matched by propensity scoring with patients undergoing combined carotid endarterectomy (CEA)/CABG procedures and compared for the occurrence of stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), and mortality.

Results: Of the 4943 patients undergoing CABG, 908 had known cerebrovascular disease.

Twenty-five year experience with the St. Jude medical mechanical valve prosthesis.

Background: We evaluated all adult St. Jude mechanical valve recipients at our institution since the initial implant in January 1979 and now present our 25-year experience.

Methods: Nine hundred forty-five valve recipients were followed prospectively at 12-month intervals from January 1979 to December 2007.

Novel approach to management of acute pulmonary failure during biventricular assist device insertion.

A shunt from a right ventricular assist device (BVS5000; Abiomed, Inc., Danvers, MA) with an oxygenator to a left ventricular assist device (AB5000; Abiomed) was created to circumvent the lungs in a 16-year-old boy with acute pulmonary failure during the transition from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation to biventricular support.

Valve surgery in renal dialysis patients.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Mechanical valves are used in dialysis patients due to the presumed rapid degeneration of tissue valves. The study aim was to compare the results of mechanical and tissue valves placed in renal dialysis patients.

Methods: Information obtained from a computer-based valve replacement database, telephone interviews and patient charts was reviewed for follow up data.