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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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700+ Patients

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 —

Balancing Bleeding and Clotting: Anticoagulation Strategies During ECMO Support

Efficacy of Reduced-Intensity or No Heparin Versus Standard Heparin Anticoagulation in Patients on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysiS

This systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 studies (958 ECMO patients) compared reduced-intensity or no heparin anticoagulation with standard heparin strategies. Low/no heparin significantly reduced bleeding complications (OR 0.49) without increasing thrombotic events or in-hospital mortality. Transfusion requirements showed no significant difference. Findings support individualized anticoagulation strategies, though high-quality randomized trials remain needed.

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February 17, 2026
Peripheral Versus Central Cannulation for Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Peripheral Versus Central Cannulation for Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (VA-ECMO): A Meta-Analysis of Bleeding and Vascular Complications

This meta-analysis of 15 studies (2,913 patients) compares peripheral and central cannulation strategies for VA-ECMO in refractory cardiogenic shock. Peripheral access significantly reduced major bleeding risk but increased limb ischemia. No meaningful differences were observed in infection, renal replacement therapy, or stroke. Findings support individualized cannulation decisions balancing bleeding risk against vascular complications.

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February 16, 2026
Preoperative Anemia Management and Its Economic Impact on Red Blood Cell Transfusion in Cardiac Surgery

Predictors and Economic Impact of Red Blood Cell Transfusion in Cardiac Surgery: A Simulated Cost Reduction Model for Preoperative Anemia Management

This retrospective cohort study of 661 elective cardiac surgery patients identified preoperative anemia as the strongest independent predictor of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion (OR 3.67). Transfusion was associated with longer hospital stay, higher infection rates, prolonged ventilation, and a median cost increase of €2264 per patient. A simulation model estimated that eliminating preoperative anemia could prevent 47 transfusions and save €106 429 over 13 months.

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February 16, 2026
Intravenous Lidocaine Infusion During Cardiopulmonary Bypass Cardiac Surgery

Evaluation of the Effect of Intravenous Lidocaine on the Systemic Inflammatory Response Associated With Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Valvular and/or Coronary Cardiac Surgery: Protocol for a Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

This single-center, double-blind randomized clinical trial (LEONARD Trial) evaluates whether intravenous lidocaine reduces systemic inflammation triggered by cardiopulmonary bypass in elective valvular and/or coronary cardiac surgery. Ninety patients will receive lidocaine or placebo, with IL-6 at 6 hours postoperatively as the primary endpoint. Secondary outcomes include inflammatory biomarkers, organ dysfunction, atrial fibrillation, ICU stay, opioid use, and 30-day mortality.

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February 16, 2026
Heparin CPB

Optimising Protamine Dosing for Heparin Reversal After Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Population Pharmacokinetic—Pharmacodynamic Study

This prospective study of 68 cardiac surgery patients used pharmacometric modeling to determine optimal protamine dosing for reversing unfractionated heparin after cardiopulmonary bypass. Researchers found that a protamine-to-heparin ratio of 0.625:1 achieved complete reversal in 95% of patients, lower than the commonly used 1:1 ratio. The study also revealed that activated clotting time (ACT) unreliably reflects residual heparin, suggesting fixed low-ratio dosing may be a practical alternative requiring validation.

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February 15, 2026
Restoring Life to the Liver: Normothermic Regional Perfusion in Modern Transplantation

Normothermic Regional Perfusion in Controlled Donation After Circulatory Death: Growing Evidence for Liver Transplantation

Normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) is reshaping controlled donation after circulatory death (cDCD) liver transplantation. By restoring oxygenated blood flow after death declaration, NRP reduces ischemia-reperfusion injury, lowers rates of early allograft dysfunction and biliary complications, and delivers graft and patient survival comparable to donation after brain death. This review synthesizes expanding global evidence supporting NRP as a new standard.

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February 7, 2026
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