Independent risk factors for hypoxemia after surgery for acute aortic dissection.

Objectives: To determine risk factors associated with postoperative hypoxemia after surgery for acute type A aortic dissection.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 192 patients with acute type A aortic dissection who underwent surgery in Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China between January 2007 and December 2013. Patients were divided into hypoxemia group (n=55) [arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2)/fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) ≤ 200 mm Hg] and non-hypoxemia group (n=137) [PaO2/FiO2 > 200 mm Hg].

Independent risk factors for ventilator-associated pneumonia after cardiac surgery.

Objective: To investigate the related factors and pathogens of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) after heart surgery so as to provide evidences for clinical prevention and therapy.

Methods: In total 1,688 cases were collected from January 2004 to January 2011. Overall 105 patients developed VAP.

Perioperative levosimendan therapy is associated with a lower incidence of acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis.

Objective: Levosimendan is a calcium sensitizer that enhances myocardial contractility without increasing myocardial oxygen use. Limited data are available on its renal-protective effect, and no statistically significant effects have been found. A meta-analysis was conducted for randomized studies to show whether perioperative levosimendan use could reduce acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

[Clinical analysis of 105 cases of ventilator-associated pneumonia after heart surgery].

Objective: To investigate the related factors and pathogens of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) after heart surgery.

Methods: VAP was diagnosed in 105 patients out of 1688 cases (6.2%) who underwent heart surgery in our department between January 2004 and January 2011.