Prediction of survival of patients in cardiogenic shock treated by surgically implanted Impella 5+ short-term left ventricular assist device.

Objectives: Short-term mechanical circulatory support is a life-saving treatment for acute cardiogenic shock (CS). This multicentre study investigates the preoperative predictors of 30-day mortality in CS patients treated with Impella 5.0 and 5.

Temporary mechanical circulatory support for refractory heart failure: the German Heart Center Berlin experience.

Background: Temporary mechanical circulatory support (MCS) offers a valuable option for treatment of refractory heart failure. We present our experience with selected MCS devices in cardiogenic shock of different etiologies.

Methods: We retrospectively studied patients who were treated in our institution between 01/2016 and 07/2018.

Predictors of mid-term outcomes in patients undergoing implantation of a ventricular assist device directly after extracorporeal life support.

Objectives: Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) can be applied as a bridge to diagnosis and decision-making for further treatment with long-term left ventricular assist devices (LVADs).

Methods: From January 2012 to January 2018, 714 adult patients were treated with ECLS in our institution. During the same period, 618 patients received an LVAD for long-term support.

Inhaled nitric oxide after left ventricular assist device implantation: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Used frequently for right ventricular dysfunction (RVD), the clinical benefit of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is still unclear. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial to determine the effect of iNO on post-operative outcomes in the setting of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) placement.

Methods: Included were 150 patients undergoing LVAD placement with pulmonary vascular resistance ≥ 200 dyne/sec/cm(-5).

Transapical aortic valve implantation in 175 consecutive patients: excellent outcome in very high-risk patients.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of transapical aortic valve implantation in a single center with expanded procedural experience and to compare it with predicted risk for conventional aortic valve surgery.

Background: Transapical aortic valve implantation is a new approach for high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis. There are only limited single-center experiences with very small numbers of patients.

Balloon dilatational tracheostomy: initial experience with the Ciaglia Blue Dolphin method.

Background: Percutaneous dilational tracheostomy has become an established technique for ensuring safe and uncomplicated access to the respiratory systems of patients undergoing prolonged intubation. We studied a new balloon dilation percutaneous dilational tracheostomy technique which primarily uses radial force to widen the tracheostoma, the Ciaglia Blue Dolphin system.

Methods: We report our initial clinical experience with this method in 20 patients from a cardiosurgical intensive care unit.

Successful use of bivalirudin as anticoagulant for ECMO in a patient with acute HIT.

A patient with myocardial failure after repair of an acute type A aortic dissection had acute heparin-induced thrombocytopenia develop during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Heparin was discontinued and the anticoagulant was switched to the direct thrombin inhibitor bivalirudin given with a bolus of 0.5 mg/kg followed by a continuous infusion of 0.