Multiplex polymerase chain reaction to diagnose bloodstream infections in patients after cardiothoracic surgery.

Background: Sepsis and other infectious complications are major causes of mortality and morbidity in patients after cardiac surgery. Whereas conventional blood culture (BC) suffers from low sensitivity as well as a reporting delay of approximately 48-72 h, real-time multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based technologies like "SeptiFast" (SF) might offer a fast and reliable alternative for detection of bloodstream infections (BSI). The aim of this study was to compare the performance of SF with BC testing in patients suspected of having BSI after cardiac surgery.

Esophageal Heat Exchanger Versus Water-Circulating Cooling Blanket for Targeted Temperature Management.

To date, the optimal cooling device for targeted temperature management (TTM) remains unclear. Water-circulating cooling blankets are broadly available and quickly applied but reveal inaccuracy during maintenance and rewarming period. Recently, esophageal heat exchangers (EHEs) have been shown to be easily inserted, revealed effective cooling rates (0.

Intravascular Cooling Device Versus Esophageal Heat Exchanger for Mild Therapeutic Hypothermia in an Experimental Setting.

Background: Targeted temperature management is a standard therapy for unconscious survivors of cardiac arrest. To date, multiple cooling methods are available including invasive intravascular cooling devices (IVDs), which are widely used in the clinical setting. Recently, esophageal heat exchangers (EHEs) have been developed providing cooling via the esophagus that is located close to the aorta and inferior vena cava.

Incidence of peri-operative paediatric cardiac arrest and the influence of a specialised paediatric anaesthesia team: Retrospective cohort study.

Background: Peri-operative critical events are still a major problem in paediatric anaesthesia care. Access to more experienced healthcare teams might reduce the adverse event rate and improve outcomes.

Objective: The current study analysed incidences of peri-operative paediatric cardiac arrest before and after implementation of a specialised paediatric anaesthesia team and training programme.

Evaluation of small intestinal damage in a rat model of 6 Minutes cardiac arrest.

Background: Contribution of the small intestine to systemic inflammation after cardiac arrest (CA) is poorly understood. The objective was to evaluate whether an in vivo rat model of 6 min CA is suitable to initiate intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion-injury and to evaluate histomorphological changes and inflammatory processes in the small intestinal mucosa resp. in sera.