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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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Honduras Mission

The IPA is working with Duke to expand their heart surgery mission program in Honduras. We have a mission trip planned for mid-May. 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.

600+

Patients served

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!

— Latest News —

Impact of Different Sweep Gas Flow Rates on Respiratory Alkalosis and Cerebral Oxygenation During Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Impact of Different Sweep Gas Flow Rates on Respiratory Alkalosis and Cerebral Oxygenation During Cardiopulmonary Bypass

This randomized clinical study assessed how varying sweep gas flow rates affect respiratory alkalosis and cerebral oxygenation during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in 84 open-heart surgery patients. The findings revealed that lower sweep gas flow rates help maintain normal carbon dioxide levels and enhance cerebral oxygen saturation post-rewarming. Adjusting the sweep gas flow rate before rewarming may prevent complications associated with respiratory alkalosis.

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Cardiopulmonary Bypass and Cross-Clamping Times in Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery by Ministernotomy with Sutureless Prosthesis Implantation Compared to Conventional Prosthesis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Cardiopulmonary Bypass and Cross-Clamping Times in Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery by Ministernotomy with Sutureless Prosthesis Implantation Compared to Conventional Prosthesis: A Cross-Sectional Study

This study compares cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and cross-clamping times in aortic valve replacement surgeries performed via ministernotomy using either sutureless PERCEVAL® or conventional bioprostheses. Among 93 patients, both techniques showed similar outcomes regarding CPB and cross-clamping times, hospital stays, and early postoperative complications. Echocardiographic results improved postoperatively in both groups.

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Impact of Extracorporeal Life Support on Outcome in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Awaiting Lung Transplantation

Impact of Extracorporeal Life Support on Outcome in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Awaiting Lung Transplantation

This study evaluates the impact of extracorporeal life support (ECLS) as a bridge to lung transplantation (BTT) for patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (iPAH). A comparison between two cohorts (1997–2005 and 2006–2010) shows that ECLS significantly reduced waiting list mortality (from 22% to 0%) while slightly increasing ICU stay. The findings suggest that aggressive ECLS management can improve survival rates for iPAH patients awaiting lung transplants.

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