[Preliminary experience in an intensive care unit with Impella Recover. A new circulatory support system in patients with low cardiac output].

The low cardiac output syndrome following cardiopulmonary bypass is characterized by poor left ventricular contractibility that requires the support of high doses of vasoactive drugs, intra-aortic balloon pump, and sometimes makes it impossible to disconnect the extracorporeal circulation. We report 5 cases in which a "recently created" device in left ventricular support was inserted, the Impella Recover (Impella CardioSystems AG, Aachen, Germany) due to cardiogenic shock at the end of the surgery. Four of these patients recovered their heart function and the ventricular support could be removed after 70+/-55 h.

QRS duration and early hemodynamic instability after coronary revascularization surgery.

Introduction And Objectives: The duration of the QRS interval measured by ECG is a marker of ventricular dysfunction and indicates a poor prognosis. Its value in patients undergoing coronary revascularization surgery has not been established.

Methods: The study involved 203 consecutive patients (age 64+/-9 years, 74% male) scheduled for elective coronary surgery.

[Epidemiology and new predictors of atrial fibrillation after coronary surgery].

Introduction And Objectives: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (PAF) is a frequent complication of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Our aims were to study its epidemiology and to identify predictors in everyday clinical practice, while taking into account statin use, extracorporeal circulation, and new biomarkers of inflammation and ventricular stress.

Methods: The study included 102 consecutive patients (65 [9] years, 72% male) who were undergoing CABG.

[Prognostic role of new biomarkers in off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery].

The value of biomarkers of myocardial damage or inflammation in off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery has not yet been established. In a prospective study of 51 consecutive patients scheduled for elective OPCAB surgery, preoperative levels of troponin T, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were determined. The primary endpoint was the combination of cardiac death or acute myocardial infarction (AMI) within 30 days.