Microbiological monitoring of heater-cooler unit to keep free of Mycobacterium chimaera infection.

Introduction: The association of Mycobacterium chimaera infection in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with the use of heater-cooler units (HCU) has been reported in various literature. We described microbiological monitoring and the extent of microbiological contamination of HCUs utilized in our centre and strategies employed to reduce the high microbial load.

Methods: Since August 2016, we have been following the new Instructions for Use from the manufacturer for the cleaning and disinfection of three units of Stöckert 3T and four units of Stöckert 1T HCU at the National Heart Centre Singapore.

Metabolomic profile of arterial stiffness in aged adults.

Background: Increasing arterial stiffness is an important contributor to declining cardiovascular health in ageing. Changes in whole-body fuel metabolism could be related to alterations in arterial stiffness in ageing adults.

Methods: Targeted high-performance liquid and gas chromatography mass spectrometry were used to measure 84 circulating metabolites in a group of community elderly adults ( n = 141, 58% men; mean age = 70.