Alpha gal syndrome, a relative not absolute contraindication to the use of bovine pericardium to close an intracardiac septal defect: a case report.

Background: Alpha-gal syndrome is an allergic condition in which individuals develop an immune-mediated hypersensitivity response when consuming red meat and its derived products. Its diagnosis is important in individuals undergoing cardiac surgery, as patients frequently require large doses of unfractionated heparin or the insertion of surgical implants, both of which are porcine or bovine in origin. There are currently no guidelines for heparin administration in alpha-gal patients, with even less knowledge regarding the long-term clinical implications of these patients after receiving bioprosthetic valve replacements or other prostheses.

Respiratory extracorporeal membrane oxygenation : From rescue therapy to standard tool for treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome?

Background: The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has increased substantially. With modern trials supporting its efficacy, ECMO has become an important tool in the management of severe ARDS.

Objectives: The objectives of this paper are to discuss ECMO physiology and configurations used for patients with ARDS, review evidence supporting the use of ECMO for ARDS, and discuss aspects of management during ECMO.

Double jeopardy: Successful management of a traumatic ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm with concurrent subdural hematoma.

We present the case of a 59-year-old male who sustained an ascending aortic injury and a subdural hematoma after a head on collision. After undergoing emergent craniotomy for evacuation of the subdural hematoma, he was maintained with strict blood pressure control. Once able to be safely anticoagulated, he underwent replacement of the ascending aorta.

Non-pulmonary complications after lung transplantation: part II.

Lung transplantation (LT) is a viable therapeutic option in the treatment of advanced lung disease. With improvements in post-transplant survival, complications involving different organ systems after LT are increasingly seen. While non-infectious, extrapulmonary complications after LT are not frequently responsible for early post-transplant mortality, they significantly impact the quality of life and long-term survival.

Non-pulmonary complications after lung transplantation: Part I.

Lung transplantation (LT) is a viable therapeutic option in the treatment of advanced lung disease. With improvements in post-transplant survival, complications involving different organ systems after LT are increasingly seen. While non-infectious, extrapulmonary complications after LT are not frequently responsible for early post-transplant mortality, they significantly impact the quality of life and long-term survival.