ARTICLES ON HEART FAILURE AND CIRCULATORY DEVICES
Impella CP® in Myocardial Infarction with Cardiogenic Shock: First Evidence in Over 20 Years
This international, multicenter clinical trial (DanGer study) evaluates the effects of routine implantation of the microaxial flow pump (Impella CP®) compared to conventional treatment in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock.
Donor after Cardiac Arrest for Heart Transplantation in the United States: A Hope Becoming Reality
This study compares the use and outcomes of heart transplants utilizing donation after circulatory death (DCD) versus donation after brain death (DBD) in the United States.
ECMO-CS Study: Does It Clarify When to Implant VA-ECMO in Cardiogenic Shock?
First multicenter randomized clinical trial assessing the outcomes of immediate VA-ECMO implantation compared to an initially conservative strategy (allowing subsequent VA-ECMO if hemodynamic deterioration occurs) in patients with severe or rapidly deteriorating cardiogenic shock.
Early Extracorporeal CPR for Refractory Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: Is It Really the Solution?
A recent randomized, multicenter trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine assesses the effectiveness of early extracorporeal CPR compared with conventional CPR in patients experiencing refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).
New Horizons for Heart Transplantation: The American Experience with HCV-Positive Donors
A prospective cohort study at the Medical University of South Carolina which analyzed the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database to assess mid-term survival in patients receiving transplants from hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive versus HCV-negative donors.
Veno-arterial ECMO in Cardiogenic Shock: Is There a Preferred Method for Left Ventricular Unloading?
This retrospective study on patients with veno-arterial ECMO compares the clinical and hemodynamic efficacy of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) versus the Impella® device as left ventricular (LV) unloading techniques.
Less-Invasive Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation: Should We Start Considering It?
This multicenter observational study evaluates morbidity and mortality following left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, comparing the outcomes of conventional median sternotomy (CS) to minimally invasive (MI) approaches.
Mechanical Ventricular Assist Devices: Universal Access?
A Canadian center conducted a study to assess the learning curve evolution in HeartMate II® device implantation.
Axillary or Femoral Arterial Cannulation in Postcardiotomy Extracorporeal Life Support: Unresolved Dilemma?
This study aimed to evaluate the type and incidence of complications based on the selected peripheral cannulation site (femoral or axillary) in patients requiring postcardiotomy extracorporeal life support (PC-ECLS).
Embolism and Infection. Dangerous Liaisons in Long-Term Mechanical Circulatory Support Device Carriers
An analysis of the EUROMACS registry assessing the relationship between thromboembolic events and preceding infectious phenomena in patients with long-term left ventricular assist devices (LVADs).