Intravenous Dabigatran Provides Adequate Anticoagulation for Cardiopulmonary Bypass Using a Rabbit Model.

Background: Heparin anticoagulation has been used successfully for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). However, an alternative anticoagulant approach is desirable due to the cases of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Dabigatran provides anticoagulation for an in vitro model of simulated CPB.

Rivaroxaban Reduces the Dabigatran Dose Required for Anticoagulation During Simulated Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

Background: Heparin is the standard anticoagulant for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB); however, there are problems with its use that make the development of suitable alternatives desirable. Currently, no ideal alternative exists. We have previously reported that the direct thrombin inhibitor dabigatran can prevent coagulation in simulated CPB at high concentrations.

American Society of ExtraCorporeal Technology: Development of Standards and Guidelines for Pediatric and Congenital Perfusion Practice (2019).

The development of standards and guidelines by professional societies offers clinicians guidance toward providing evidence-based care. The ultimate goals of standards and guidelines are to standardize care and improve patient safety and outcomes while also minimizing risk. The American Society of ExtraCorporeal Technology (AmSECT) currently offers perfusionists several clinical resources, primarily the ; however, no document exists specific to pediatric perfusion.

American Society of ExtraCorporeal Technology: Development of Standards and Guidelines for Pediatric and Congenital Perfusion Practice (2019).

The development of standards and guidelines by professional societies offers clinicians guidance toward providing evidence-based care. The ultimate goals of standards and guidelines are to standardize care and improve patient safety and outcomes while also minimizing risk. The American Society of ExtraCorporeal Technology (AmSECT) currently offers perfusionists several clinical resources, primarily the ; however, no document exists specific to pediatric perfusion.

High-Dose Dabigatran Is an Effective Anticoagulant for Simulated Cardiopulmonary Bypass Using Human Blood.

Background: Currently no ideal alternative exists for heparin for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Dabigatran is a direct thrombin inhibitor for which a reversal agent exists. The primary end point of the study was to explore whether Dabigatran was an effective anticoagulant for 120 minutes of simulated CPB.

Pharmacokinetics of ε-Aminocaproic Acid in Neonates Undergoing Cardiac Surgery with Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

Background: Antifibrinolytic medications such as ε-aminocaproic acid (EACA) are used in pediatric heart surgery to decrease surgical bleeding and transfusion. Dosing schemes for neonates are often based on adult regimens, or are simply empiric, in part due to the lack of neonatal pharmacokinetic information. The authors sought to determine the pharmacokinetics of EACA in neonates undergoing cardiac surgery and to devise a dosing regimen for this population.

Cardiopulmonary bypass simulation at the Boot Camp.

Objective: At Boot Camp, we evaluated a modular approach to skills mastery related to cardiopulmonary bypass and crisis scenarios.

Methods: With 32 first-year cardiothoracic surgery residents divided into 4 groups, 4 consecutive hours were devoted to cardiopulmonary bypass skills by using a perfused nonbeating heart model, computer-controlled CPB simulator, and perfused beating heart simulator. Based on the cardiopulmonary bypass simulator, each resident was assessed by using a checklist rating score on cardiopulmonary bypass management and 1 crisis scenario.