Enhancing paediatric and congenital cardiology e-learning postgraduate education: insights from the Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology directed webinar series.

Objective: A series of webinars covering widespread knowledge on paediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery topics was initiated by Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology, serving towards preparation for the Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology certification in paediatric and congenital cardiology. This study investigated the impact of webinars as educational tools for junior paediatric cardiologists in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional survey design study using an online survey as a tool for the assessment of trainees.

The Role of AMPS in Parkinson's Disease Management: Scoping Review and Meta-Analysis.

Automated Mechanical Peripheral Stimulation (AMPS) is emerging as a potential therapeutic tool for managing motor and non-motor symptoms in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD), particularly in terms of improving gait, balance, and autonomic regulation. This scoping review aims to synthesize current evidence on AMPS's effectiveness for these outcomes. A review was conducted on MEDLINE, Cochrane Central, Scopus, PEDro, and Web of Science.

Comparing clinical only and combined clinical laboratory models for ECPR outcomes in refractory cardiac arrest.

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) improves survival for prolonged cardiac arrest (CA) but carries significant risks and costs due to ECMO. Previous predictive models have been complex, incorporating both clinical data and parameters obtained after CPR or ECMO initiation. This study aims to compare a simpler clinical-only model with a model that includes both clinical and pre-ECMO laboratory parameters, to refine patient selection and improve ECPR outcomes.

Intravascular lithotripsy in calcified left main coronary artery: Procedural success and 1-year clinical outcomes.

Background: Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) has an excellent efficacy and safety profile in the treatment of calcified coronary lesions during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, data regarding its use on left main (LM) lesions are still limited.

Objective: We aimed to analyze the technical success and 1-year clinical outcomes in calcified LM lesions treated with IVL.

Analysis of the hemodynamic impact of coronary plaque morphology in mild coronary artery stenosis.

Objectives: As is well known, plaque morphology plays an important role in the hemodynamics of stenotic coronary arteries, thus their clinic outcomes. However, so far, there has been no research on how the cross-sectional shape of a stenotic lumen affects its hemodynamics. Therefore, this study aims to explore the impact of plaque cross-sectional shape on coronary hemodynamics under mild or moderate stenosis conditions (diameter stenosis degree ≤50 %).

Hemodynamic Evaluation of Intra-Aortic Dual-Balloon Pump Based on Fluid-Structure Interaction.

The intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) is a widely-used mechanical circulatory support device that enhances hemodynamics in patients with heart conditions. Although the IABP is a common clinical tool, its effectiveness in enhancing outcomes for patients with acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock remains disputed. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of intra-aortic dual-balloon pump (IADBP) and its impact on aortic hemodynamics compared with an IABP.

Impact of Perioperative Blood Transfusion on Postoperative Outcomes in Neonates.

Introduction: Neonatal postoperative outcomes may be negatively affected by perioperative red blood cell transfusion (RBCT). This study compared 30-day postoperative outcomes between transfused and non-transfused neonates.

Methods: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Pediatric dataset (2021-2022) was used to analyze the association between RBCT and 30-day morbidity and mortality after neonatal surgery.

Impact of Left Ventricular Size on Outcomes Following HeartMate 3 Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation: Analysis of the European Registry for Patients With Mechanical Circulatory Support (EUROMACS).

We investigated the association of preimplant left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) with outcomes after HeartMate 3 (HM3) left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Patients from the European Registry for Patients with Mechanical Circulatory Support (EUROMACS) registry who underwent HM3 implantation from August 2014 to February 2023 (n = 834) were analyzed according to preoperative LVEDD: less than or equal to 65 (n = 251), 65-80 (n = 441), and greater than or equal to 80 mm (n = 142). The mean age was 54.

Heart failure outpatient clinics resources in Italy: a viewpoint of Italian Society of Cardiology organization.

The current paper reports the model organization, level of health care, and type of medical and research activities related to the existing heart failure centers of the Italian Society of Cardiology. Of note, we conduced an internal survey among the members of heart failure working group and related hospital and territorial sites about the quality of care and assistance levels according to the local hospital resources and type of diagnostic therapeutic and management resources. Thirty-two hospital ambulatorial structures have been identified, the centers were equally distributed within the national ground, with similar concentration between north and south regions of the Italian country.

Establishing an Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Program.

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is a complex, life-saving procedure that uses mechanical support for patients with refractory cardiac arrest, representing the pinnacle of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) applications. Effective ECPR requires precise patient selection, rapid mobilization of a multidisciplinary team, and skilled cannulation techniques. Establishing a program necessitates a cohesive ECMO system that promotes interdisciplinary collaboration, which is essential for managing acute cardiogenic shock and severe pulmonary failure.

Nonlinear Relationship Between Coronary Perfusion Pressure and In-Hospital Outcomes After Infant Congenital Heart Surgery.

Objectives: Our goal was to evaluate the associations between postoperative coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) values and in-hospital outcomes in infants after congenital cardiac surgery. Our goal was to assess the relationship between postoperative coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) values and in-hospital outcomes in infants following congenital cardiac surgery.

Methods: In this study, we conducted a retrospective analysis on a cohort of 296 consecutive infant patients (aged 31-120 days) who underwent congenital cardiac surgery between 1 January 2019 and 30 April 2019.

Propensity Score Analysis of Possible Medication Effects on Outcomes in Patients With Systemic Right Ventricles.

Background: Patients with systemic right ventricle (SRV), either d-transposition of the great arteries following an atrial switch procedure or congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries, develop severe right ventricular dysfunction, prompting appropriate medical therapy. However, the efficacy of beta-blockers and angiotensin receptor blockers or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) in SRV patients is unproven.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of ACEI/ARB and beta-blockers on outcomes in SRV patients after accounting for likely cofounders affecting their use.

Development of a Self-Deploying Extra-Aortic Compression Device for Medium-Term Hemodynamic Stabilization: A Feasibility Study.

Hemodynamic stabilization is crucial in managing acute cardiac events, where compromised blood flow can lead to severe complications and increased mortality. Conditions like decompensated heart failure (HF) and cardiogenic shock require rapid and effective hemodynamic support. Current mechanical assistive devices, such as intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABP) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), offer temporary stabilization but are limited to short-term use due to risks associated with prolonged blood contact.

Electrically Conductive Injectable Silk/PEDOT: PSS Hydrogel for Enhanced Neural Network Formation.

With no effective treatments for functional recovery after injury, spinal cord injury (SCI) remains one of the unresolved healthcare challenges. Human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) transplantation is a versatile patient-specific regenerative approach for functional recovery after SCI. Injectable electroconductive hydrogel (ECH) can further enhance the cell transplantation efficacy through a minimally invasive manner as well as recapitulate the native bioelectrical microenvironment of neural tissue.

Targeting Fibrosis: From Molecular Mechanisms to Advanced Therapies.

As the final stage of disease-related tissue injury and repair, fibrosis is characterized by excessive accumulation of the extracellular matrix. Unrestricted accumulation of stromal cells and matrix during fibrosis impairs the structure and function of organs, ultimately leading to organ failure. The major etiology of fibrosis is an injury caused by genetic heterogeneity, trauma, virus infection, alcohol, mechanical stimuli, and drug.

Minnesota Hospitals' Plans for Implementing Statewide Guidance on Allocation of Scarce Critical Care Resources During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objectives: To assess hospitals' plans for implementing Minnesota's statewide guidance for allocating scarce critical care resources during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Patients And Methods: Individuals from 23 hospitals across Minnesota were invited to complete a 25-item survey between July 20, 2020, and September 18, 2020 to understand how hospitals in the state intended to operationalize statewide clinical triage instructions for scarce resources (including mechanical ventilation) and written ethics guidance on the allocation of critical care resources in the event crisis standards of care triggered triage.

Results: Of individuals invited from 23 hospitals, 14 hospitals completed the survey (60.

Intra-aortic balloon pump after VA-ECMO reduces mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock: an analysis of the Chinese extracorporeal life support registry.

Background: The role of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) combined with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) remains unclear. This study investigated the effect of applying IABP for left ventricle (LV) unloading after VA-ECMO on reducing mortality in patients with CS.

Methods: Data from 5,492 consecutive patients with CS treated with VA-ECMO between January 2017 and July 2023 were collected from the CSECLS registry.

Real-world assessment of reinfection with SARS-CoV-2: Implications for vaccines.

Background: There have been over 670 million confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection globally, resulting in over 6.87 million deaths. With approximately 0.

High-Intensity Interval Training for Cancer Patients: A Review of Key Considerations for Exercise Prescription.

Background: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) performed before, during, and after cancer treatment can attenuate the adverse effects induced by anti-cancer drugs. A clear presentation and rationale of characteristics of HIIT variables is vital to produce the expected HIIT adaptations in cancer patients. However, there are concerns regarding the HIIT protocols used in the cancer literature.

Usual On-therapy Ranges of Drug Concentrations in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Treated with Direct Oral Anticoagulants: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background:  Although most patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) receiving a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) do not require drug concentration measurements, there are situations where such information could be useful. Existing guidance documents provide usual on-therapy ranges for drug concentrations, but these have important limitations.

Methods:  This is a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting trough and peak levels of DOAC regimens approved for stroke prevention in AF.

Targeted Temperature Management After Pediatric Cardiac Arrest: A Quality Improvement Program With Multidisciplinary Implementation in the PICU.

Objectives: We aimed to implement a post-cardiac arrest targeted temperature management (TTM) bundle to reduce the percent of time with a fever from 7% to 3.5%.

Design: A prospective, quality improvement (QI) initiative utilizing the Method for Improvement.

Non-intensive care unit feasibility for ambulatory veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients.

Introduction: Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation has increasingly been utilized to support patients in respiratory failure as a bridge to recovery or lung transplantation. As patients progress from cannulation to recovery or transplantation, it has been shown that physical therapy and ambulation are possible and beneficial for patient outcomes.

Methods: We sought to evaluate the feasibility of managing these ambulatory VV-ECMO patients in a non-ICU setting by conducting a single-center, retrospective cohort study to characterize the daily data collection (i.