Mitral valve repair using a semirigid ring: patient selection and early outcomes.

Background: Commonly used complete mitral annuloplastic rings include saddle-shaped and semirigid rings, with no clear indication for either type. A semirigid ring may be preferred in patients whose native mitral saddle shape is well maintained. We present our experience of using semirigid rings for mitral valve repair.

Automated quantification of mitral valve anatomy using anatomical intelligence in three-dimensional echocardiography.

Background: Quantitative analysis of mitral valve morphology with three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) provides anatomic information that can assist clinical decision-making. However, routine use of mitral valve quantification has been hindered by tedious workflow and high operator-dependence. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the feasibility, accuracy and efficiency of a novel computer-learning algorithm using anatomical intelligence in ultrasound (AIUS) to automatically detect and quantitatively assess the mitral valve anatomy.

A randomized controlled trial of adaptive support ventilation mode to wean patients after fast-track cardiac valvular surgery.

Background: Adaptive support ventilation can speed weaning after coronary artery surgery compared with protocolized weaning using other modes. There are no data to support this mode of weaning after cardiac valvular surgery. Furthermore, control group weaning times have been long, suggesting that the results may reflect control group protocols that delay weaning rather than a real advantage of adaptive support ventilation.

Early risk stratification of patients with major trauma requiring massive blood transfusion.

Background: There is limited evidence to guide the recognition of patients with massive, uncontrolled hemorrhage who require initiation of a massive transfusion (MT) protocol.

Objective: To risk stratify patients with major trauma and to predict need for MT.

Designs: Retrospective analysis of an administrative trauma database of major trauma patients.

Randomized controlled trial comparing adaptive-support ventilation with pressure-regulated volume-controlled ventilation with automode in weaning patients after cardiac surgery.

Background: Adaptive-support ventilation (ASV) is a minute ventilation-controlled mode governed by a closed-loop algorithm. With ASV, tidal volume and respiratory rate are automatically adjusted to minimize work of breathing. Studies indicate that ventilation in ASV enables more rapid weaning.