Incidence and Predictors of Acute Limb Ischemia in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction-Insight from National Readmission Database.

Acute limb ischemia (ALI) has been a rare complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), however, with the increasing use of mechanical circulatory devices it is seen more frequently. The incidence and predictors of ALI in patients with AMI in contemporary clinical practice are unknown. A retrospective review of patients with index hospitalization for AMI in the Nationwide Readmission Database from 2016 to 2019 was done.

5-year stroke rates in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation after watchman compared to direct oral anticoagulants.

Background: The WATCHMAN device (Boston Scientific; Marlborough, MA, USA) is noninferior to warfarin in preventing ischemic strokes while reducing bleeding risks associated with long term anticoagulation in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AFib). The device's performance compared to direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) is less well known.

Objective: To compare 5-year major bleeding and ischemic stroke rates in patients with nonvalvular AFib who received a WATCHMAN device or DOAC therapy after a major bleeding event.

Heart Transplant Donor Selection Guidelines: Review and Recommendations.

Purpose Of Review: The rate of heart transplants, while steadily increasing, is insufficient to meet the growing list of transplant candidates. Marginal donors expand the donor pool. However, criteria used to identify donors greatly vary by institution.

Vasoplegia from Continuous Flow Left Ventricular Assist Devices.

Purpose Of Review: The contribution of continuous flow left ventricular assist devices (c-LVAD) to vasoplegic syndrome and postoperative outcomes after orthotopic heart transplant (OHT) is contested in the literature. A standardized definition of vasoplegic syndrome (VS) is needed to better recognize and manage vasoplegic shock.

Recent Findings: Vasoplegic syndrome occurs after orthotopic heart transplant more frequently than after other surgeries requiring cardiopulmonary bypass.

Predictors of Diffusing Capacity in Children With Sickle Cell Disease: A Longitudinal Study.

Gas exchange abnormalities in Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) may represent cardiopulmonary deterioration. Identifying predictors of these abnormalities in children with SCD (C-SCD) may help us understand disease progression and develop informed management decisions. To identify pulmonary function tests (PFT) estimates and biomarkers of disease severity that are associated with and predict abnormal diffusing capacity (DLCO) in C-SCD.

Knowledge, Perceptions, and Preferred Information Sources Related to COVID-19 Among Healthcare Workers: Results of a Cross Sectional Survey.

Purpose: To compare COVID-19 related knowledge, perceptions, and preferred information sources between healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Setting: Web-based.

Contact lens-based lysozyme detection in tear using a mobile sensor.

We report a method for sensing analytes in tear-fluid using commercial contact lenses (CLs) as sample collectors for subsequent analysis with a cost-effective and field-portable reader. In this study we quantify lysozyme, the most prevalent protein in tear fluid, non-specifically bound to CLs worn by human participants. Our mobile reader uses time-lapse imaging to capture an increasing fluorescent signal in a standard well-plate, the rate-of-change of which is used to indirectly infer lysozyme concentration through the use of a standard curve.

In vitro evaluation of Capiox FX05 and RX05 oxygenators in neonatal cardiopulmonary bypass circuits with varying venous reservoir and vacuum-assisted venous drainage levels.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hemodynamic properties and microemboli capture associated with different vacuum-assisted venous drainage (VAVD) vacuum levels and venous reservoir levels in a neonatal cardiopulmonary bypass circuit. Trials were conducted in 2 parallel circuits to compare the performance of Capiox Baby RX05 oxygenator with separate AF02 arterial filter to Capiox FX05 oxygenator with integrated arterial filter. Arterial cannula flow rate to the patient was held at 500 mL/min and temperature maintained at 32°C, while VAVD vacuum levels (0 mm Hg, -15 mm Hg, -30 mm Hg, -45 mm Hg, -60 mm Hg) and venous reservoir levels (50 mL, 200 mL) were evaluated in both oxygenators.

Computational Sensing Using Low-Cost and Mobile Plasmonic Readers Designed by Machine Learning.

Plasmonic sensors have been used for a wide range of biological and chemical sensing applications. Emerging nanofabrication techniques have enabled these sensors to be cost-effectively mass manufactured onto various types of substrates. To accompany these advances, major improvements in sensor read-out devices must also be achieved to fully realize the broad impact of plasmonic nanosensors.