Logistic risk model for prolonged ventilation after adult cardiac surgery.

Background: The aim of this study was to develop a multivariate risk prediction model for prolonged ventilation after adult cardiac surgery.

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on 12,662 consecutive patients undergoing adult cardiac surgery between April 1997 and March 2005. Data were randomly split into a development dataset (n = 6,000) and a validation dataset (n = 6,662).

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections following cardiac surgery: incidence, impact and identifying adverse outcome traits.

Objective: To assess the incidence and impact of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections on cardiac surgery outcomes and to identify adverse outcome traits.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from cardiac surgical and microbiology databases between April 2000 and March 2005. The overall and yearly incidence of positive MRSA cultures was examined along with the distribution of clinical infections and the associated mortality.

Does off-pump surgery offer benefit in high respiratory risk patients? A respiratory risk stratified analysis in a propensity-matched cohort.

Objective: The role of off-pump surgery in high respiratory risk patients remains unclear. In this study, we aim to evaluate the effect of off-pump surgery on high respiratory risk patients.

Methods: To achieve comparative groups, a five digit propensity score matching with 18 pre-operative variables was performed on 4406 consecutive CABG patients operated between January 2000 and September 2003.

First report of no-react bovine internal mammary artery performance and patency.

Background: No-React treatment is known to render tissues resistant to calcific degeneration and to reduce early inflammatory response. No-React bovine internal mammary artery (NR-IMA) is available for restricted use in Europe. In this first study, our aim was to use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate the clinical performance and patency rates of this conduit.

Mechanical versus medical bridge to transplantation in children. What is the best timing for mechanical bridge?

Objective: Precise timing of mechanical circulatory support as a bridge to transplantation is crucial for successful outcome. In our practice, increasing metabolic injury resulting from third organ (renal/gut) dysfunction is an indication for mechanical circulatory support. It is not known how metabolic injury would influence the outcomes in these patients.