Structured Weaning From the Impella Left Ventricular Micro-Axial Pump in Acute Myocardial Infarction With Cardiogenic Shock and Protected Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Experience From a Non-Cardiac Surgical Centre.

Background: The Impella (Abiomed, Danvers, MA, USA) temporary percutaneous left ventricular assist device is increasingly used as mechanical circulatory support in patients with acute myocardial infarction-cardiogenic shock (AMICS) or those undergoing high-risk protected percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The optimal weaning regimen remains to be defined.

Method: We implemented a structured weaning protocol in a series of 10 consecutive patients receiving Impella support for protected PCI or AMICS treated with PCI in a high volume non-cardiac surgery centre.

Violence in intensive care: a point prevalence study.

Violence in the intensive care unit (ICU) is poorly characterised and its incidence is largely extrapolated from studies in the emergency department. Policy requirements vary between jurisdictions and have not been formally evaluated. A multisite, single-time point observational study was conducted across Australasian ICUs which focused on the incidence of violence in the previous 24 hours, the characteristics of patients displaying violent behaviour, the perceived contributors, and the management strategies implemented.