Viability of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in an Ex Vivo Circulation System.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a well-known therapy for refractory cardiac and respiratory failure. Stem cell therapy has been investigated as an adjunctive treatment for use during ECMO, but little is known about the viability of stem cells during ECMO support. We evaluated the viability and activity of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in ex vivo circulation (EVC) conditions.

Effect of ex vivo extracorporeal membrane oxygenation flow dynamics on immune response.

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is a life-saving support for heart and/or lung failure patients. Despite technological advancement, abnormal physiology persists and has been associated with subsequent adverse events. These include thrombosis, bleeding, systemic inflammatory response syndrome and infection.

Recruitment manoeuvres dislodge mucus towards the distal airways in an experimental model of severe pneumonia.

Background: Recruitment manoeuvres generate a transient increase in trans-pulmonary pressure that could open collapsed alveoli. Recruitment manoeuvres might generate very high inspiratory airflows. We evaluated whether recruitment manoeuvres could displace respiratory secretions towards the distal airways and impair gas exchange in a porcine model of bacterial pneumonia.

The Sustain and Spread Framework: strategies for sustaining and spreading nutrition care improvements in acute care based on thematic analysis from the More-2-Eat study.

Background: Successful improvements in health care practice need to be sustained and spread to have maximum benefit. The rationale for embedding sustainability from the beginning of implementation is well recognized; however, strategies to sustain and spread successful initiatives are less clearly described. The aim of this study is to identify strategies used by hospital staff and management to sustain and spread successful nutrition care improvements in Canadian hospitals.

Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) levels inversely correlate with lung function improvement (delta FEV) in cystic fibrosis patients receiving ivacaftor treatment.

Background: We have recently shown that human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) levels correlate with the severity of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease. However, there are no data on how HE4 levels alter in patients receiving CFTR modulating therapy.

Methods: In this retrospective clinical study, 3 independent CF patient cohorts (US-American: 29, Australian: 12 and Irish: 19 cases) were enrolled carrying at least one Class III CFTR CF-causing mutation (p.

A 4-arm randomized controlled pilot trial of innovative solutions for jugular central venous access device securement in 221 cardiac surgical patients.

Purpose: To improve jugular central venous access device (CVAD) securement, prevent CVAD failure (composite: dislodgement, occlusion, breakage, local or bloodstream infection), and assess subsequent trial feasibility.

Materials And Methods: Study design was a 4-arm, parallel, randomized, controlled, nonblinded, pilot trial. Patients received CVAD securement with (i) suture+bordered polyurethane (suture + BPU; control), (ii) suture+absorbent dressing (suture + AD), (iii) sutureless securement device+simple polyurethane (SSD+SPU), or (iv) tissue adhesive+simple polyurethane (TA+SPU).

The Easytube for airway management: a systematic review of clinical and simulation studies.

Study Objective: Endotracheal intubation is considered the criterion-standard technique for securing the airway. Supraglottic airway devices (SADs) represent a major advance in airway management and are recommended by the guidelines in difficult situations such as Advanced Life Support and "cannot ventilate-cannot intubate" scenarios. The Easytube (EzT) is an SAD introduced a decade ago but not included yet in the above guidelines.

Effects of Acupuncture in Anesthesia for Craniotomy: A Meta-Analysis.

Background: Acupuncture treatment has been used in China for >2500 years, and at present it is used worldwide as a form of analgesia in patients with acute and chronic pain. Furthermore, acupuncture is regularly used not only as a single anesthetic technique but also as a supplement or in addition to general anesthesia (GA).

Objectives: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the level of evidence for the clinical use of acupuncture in addition to GA in patients undergoing craniotomy.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Pregnant and Postpartum Women With H1N1-Related Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objective: To assess available evidence regarding the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in pregnant and postpartum women with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) secondary to H1N1 infection.

Data Sources: Databases from MEDLINE (U.S.

A new frontier for an old drug? A word of caution for beta-blockers in sepsis!

Recent promising findings indicate a possible benefit of β-blockade in septic patients. Ongoing trials on esmolol in septic shock are investigating its hemodynamic effects, focusing on heart rate control and echocardiographic changes, as well as potential anti-inflammatory effects. However, given the complex physiology of sepsis and pharmacological effects on β-blockade, large multi-center trials are essential before such a therapy may be applied safely.

Cerebral oximetry and return of spontaneous circulation after cardiac arrest: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim: The prediction of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) during resuscitation of patients suffering of cardiac arrest (CA) is particularly challenging. Regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) monitoring through near-infrared spectrometry is feasible during CA and could provide guidance during resuscitation.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the value of rSO2 in predicting ROSC both after in-hospital (IH) or out-of-hospital (OH) CA.

Clinical Exercise Stress Testing in Adults (2014).

This position paper provide guidelines on the minimum requirements of both personnel and equipment for the safe performance of clinical exercise electrocardiography, and for the adequate interpretation and assessment of results. This document was originally developed by Professor Ben Freedman and members of the Rehabilitation, Exercise and Prevention Working Group in 1996. It has been recently reviewed by a Working Group chaired by Associate Professor David Colquhoun.

The New Dimension in Aortic Measurements - Use of the Inner Edge Measurement for the Thoracic Aorta in Australian Patients.

Background: Historically, aortic measurements were established using M-mode echocardiography, measuring from the leading edge to leading edge. Improvements in echocardiographic imaging now permit accurate assessment using the blood-tissue interface. Normal values have not been established using this technique.

A comprehensive study of ovine haemostasis to assess suitability to model human coagulation.

Introduction: Similarities in size, anatomy and physiology have supported the use of sheep to model a wide range of human diseases, including coagulopathy. However, coagulation studies involving sheep are limited by the absence of high quality data defining normal ovine coagulation and fibrinolysis.

Materials And Methods: Full blood examination, routine and specialised coagulation tests, rotational thromboelastometry and whole blood platelet aggregometry was performed on 50 healthy Samm & Border Leicester Cross ewes and compared to corresponding human ranges.

Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography for surgical repair of mitral regurgitation.

Surgical repair of the mitral valve is being increasingly performed to treat severe mitral regurgitation. Transesophageal echocardiography is an essential tool for assessing valvular function and guiding surgical decision making during the perioperative period. A careful and systematic transesophageal echocardiographic examination is necessary to ensure that appropriate information is obtained and that the correct diagnoses are obtained before and after repair.

An emerging place for lung cancer genomics in 2013.

Lung cancer is a disease with a dismal prognosis and is the biggest cause of cancer deaths in many countries. Nonetheless, rapid technological developments in genome science promise more effective prevention and treatment strategies. Since the Human Genome Project, scientific advances have revolutionized the diagnosis and treatment of human cancers, including thoracic cancers.

Transesophageal echocardiography in the management of burn patients.

A systematic review was conducted to assess the level of evidence for the use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in the management of burn patients. We searched any article published before and including June 30, 2013. Our search yielded 118 total publications, 11 met the inclusion criteria of burn injury and TEE.