Effect of Albumin Concentration and Timing on Acute Kidney Injury After Adult Cardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

April 30, 2026 No Comments

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated whether hyperoncotic 20%–25% human albumin affects acute kidney injury after adult on-pump cardiac surgery. Across four studies including 6,651 patients, albumin was associated with a modest but consistent increase in postoperative AKI risk compared with crystalloids or 4%–5% albumin. Risk appeared similar whether albumin was given during surgery or within 24 hours afterward, supporting cautious, selective use.

A Clinical Comparison of the Effects of Six Disposable Cardiopulmonary Bypass Circuits on Bleeding and Coagulation: A Quality Assurance Project

March 30, 2025 No Comments

This study compared six Health Canada-approved cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuits in 872 cardiac surgery patients to assess their effects on bleeding and coagulation. While all circuits impaired coagulation, significant differences in bleeding severity and transfusion requirements were found after adjusting for patient and procedural factors. Circuit 6 showed the best performance in minimizing transfusion needs.

A New Protocol for Removal of the Endothelium from the Perfused Rat Hind-Limb Preparation

December 10, 2024 No Comments

This study introduces a novel method for selectively removing endothelial cells from rat hind-limb arteries using a high flow/air bubbles/high flow protocol. The technique effectively removes endothelium from larger arteries without damaging smooth muscle cells, arterioles, or capillaries. It enhances vascular reactivity, as shown by increased contractile responses to a,β-methylene ATP. This method provides a model for investigating vascular function with and without endothelial influence.

Early Blood Clot Detection Using Forward Scattering Light Measurements Is Not Superior to Delta Pressure Measurements

January 3, 2024 No Comments

This study investigates the use of forward scattered light (FSL) measurements for early blood clot detection in extracorporeal membrane oxygenators, a method potentially superior to the current standard of monitoring pressure differences (ΔP) which fails to detect smaller, early-stage clots. Despite several modifications, FSL measurements were unable to reliably detect clots in an in vitro test circuit, whereas the current clinical gold standard of pressure measurements successfully detected fulminant clot formation in multiple experiments.

Heparin Consumption and Inflammatory Response According to the Coating of Cardiopulmonary Bypass Circuits in Cardiac Surgery: A Retrospective Analysis

November 29, 2023 No Comments

In this study, we compared the amount of heparin required, postoperative bleeding, and inflammatory response according to three types of coatings.