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Heart to Heart Mission

For more than 20 years, the IPA has performed life-saving heart surgery on over 400 patients in Santiago, Dominican Republic.

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Ecuador Mission

The IPA is working with Harvard / MGH to expand their heart surgery mission program in Ecuador. We have a mission trip planned for October 2026. Stay tuned for more information.

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Your Mission Trip

The IPA will gladly make donations to qualified charitable organizations who perform cardiac surgery mission work for patients in need.

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Help Mend a Heart!

Every member of our team is an unpaid volunteer, so please take comfort in knowing that 100% of all donated funds go directly to patient care. Your generosity is so very welcome and will help save lives!
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— Latest News —

Precision and Protection: Advanced Myocardial Preservation in Complex Cardiac Surgery

Custodial-HTK Cardioplegia in Conventional Cardiac Surgery: A Retrospective Analysis From UiTM

This retrospective cohort study from a Malaysian tertiary cardiac center compares Custodial-HTK cardioplegia with conventional blood cardioplegia in elective on-pump cardiac surgery. Although Custodial-HTK was preferentially used in higher-risk and more complex cases with lower baseline LVEF and longer bypass times, postoperative outcomes, ICU stay, hospital stay, and 30-day mortality were comparable, supporting its safety and effectiveness.

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February 4, 2026
Global Teamwork in Modern Myocardial Protection: Alternative Base Solutions for del Nido Cardioplegia

Alternative Base Solutions for del Nido Cardioplegia: Composition, Rationale, and Clinical Evidence

This comprehensive review examines alternative crystalloid and whole-blood base solutions for del Nido cardioplegia, including normal saline, lactated Ringer’s, plain Ringer’s, Isolyte S, Ionosteril, and whole blood. Drawing on experimental models, randomized trials, and clinical studies, the article demonstrates that these alternatives provide myocardial protection and postoperative outcomes comparable to Plasma-Lyte A when appropriately buffered, supporting cost-effective and globally accessible cardiac surgery practice.

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January 31, 2026
Active Myocardial Protection During Cardioplegic Arrest

Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Cardioplegic Protection in Surgical Myocardial Revascularization

This comprehensive review explores how cardioplegia actively protects the myocardium during coronary artery bypass grafting. Beyond inducing cardiac arrest, cardioplegic solutions modulate calcium homeostasis, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. By suppressing electromechanical activity and metabolic demand, cardioplegia prolongs ischemic tolerance and mitigates reperfusion injury, offering critical insights for optimizing myocardial protection strategies in modern cardiac surgery.

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January 31, 2026
Comparison of 6% Hydroxyethyl Starch 130/0.4 vs 5% Albumin

Comparison of 6% Hydroxyethyl Starch 130/0.4 vs 5% Albumin in Cardiopulmonary Bypass for Cardiac Surgery

This meta-analysis evaluated 12 randomized trials (908 patients) comparing 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 130/0.4 with 5% albumin during cardiopulmonary bypass in cardiac surgery. Most outcomes—including blood loss, transfusion rates, ICU stay, hospital stay, and mortality—were similar between groups. However, HES use was associated with a significantly higher risk of acute kidney injury, highlighting renal safety concerns despite comparable hemodynamic efficacy.

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January 31, 2026
Determination of Insensible Water Loss and Sodium Accumulation Behavior from the Medtronic Nautilus ECMO Oxygenator: An In Vitro Study

Determination of Insensible Water Loss and Sodium Accumulation Behavior from the Medtronic Nautilus ECMO Oxygenator: An In Vitro Study

This in vitro study examined insensible water loss and sodium accumulation in the Medtronic Nautilus ECMO oxygenator. Using varying sweep gas rates over 24 hours, researchers found a strong linear relationship between sweep gas flow and fluid loss. The rate was approximately 72.5 mL/day per 1 L/min sweep gas. Sodium accumulation was observed but not statistically confirmed due to sample size. These findings are critical for managing fluid balance and hypernatremia risk in ECMO patients.

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January 28, 2026

Tranexamic Acid Does Not Have a Dose-Dependent Effect on Postoperative Delirium After Cardiac Surgery — A Retrospective Cohort Study

This retrospective study examined over 5,500 patients undergoing cardiac surgery to assess whether higher doses of tranexamic acid (TXA) reduce postoperative delirium (PD). Despite TXA’s known anti-inflammatory effects and role in stabilizing the blood-brain barrier, the study found no significant dose-dependent reduction in PD. CAM-ICU assessments showed similar PD rates across all dosing groups, highlighting PD’s multifactorial nature and the need for further prospective trials.

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January 28, 2026
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