MIDCAB vs Drug-Eluting Stent: Two Paths to LAD Revascularization

Revascularization of Left Anterior Descending Artery with Minimally Invasive Direct Coronary Artery Bypass Graft vs. Drug Eluting Stents: A Retrospective, Two-Center Study

March 15, 2026 No Comments

This retrospective two-center study compared long-term outcomes of minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) with drug-eluting stent (DES) percutaneous coronary intervention for left anterior descending (LAD) artery disease. Among matched patient groups, MIDCAB resulted in significantly lower rates of recurrent angina and repeat revascularization within two years. However, long-term survival up to 20 years was similar between both treatments. The findings support MIDCAB as a durable alternative for LAD revascularization.

Viscoelastic Monitoring Guiding Hemostasis During Cardiac Surgery

A Prospective Analysis of Viscoelastic Assays, Platelet Aggregometry, and Standard Laboratory Tests in Predicting Perioperative Blood Loss in Cardiac Surgery

March 14, 2026 No Comments

This prospective observational study of 79 cardiac surgery patients evaluated whether viscoelastic testing (ROTEM), platelet aggregometry, or standard coagulation tests best predict perioperative bleeding. Clot firmness measured by FIBTEM A10 strongly correlated with blood loss using the Hb/kg Index, while platelet count, platelet aggregation, and conventional tests did not. A FIBTEM A10 cutoff of 12 mm accurately detected hypofibrinogenemia, supporting fibrinogen-focused transfusion strategies.

Rethinking Cardiopulmonary Bypass Management in the Digital Health Era

March 7, 2026 No Comments

Minimally invasive and robotic cardiac surgery reduce surgical trauma and speed recovery but often require longer cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) times, increasing risks such as renal injury, neurological complications, and systemic inflammation. This review explores how digital health tools—including continuous physiologic monitoring, machine learning analytics, and digital twin simulations—can transform CPB from a static procedural metric into a dynamically optimized variable, enabling personalized perfusion strategies that improve safety and outcomes in modern cardiac surgery.

Cardiopulmonary Bypass Supporting High-Risk PCI and TAVR

Cardiopulmonary Bypass as Safe and Effective Support for Concomitant High-Risk Percutaneous Coronary Intervention and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

February 28, 2026 No Comments

This study evaluates the safety and effectiveness of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) as hemodynamic support during combined high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The authors demonstrate that CPB provides stable circulatory support, enabling complete revascularization and valve implantation in complex patients with severe coronary artery disease and aortic stenosis, with acceptable complication rates and favorable procedural outcomes.

Predictors of Prolonged Intensive Care Unit Stay and In-Hospital Mortality Following Cardiac Surgery: An Integrated Analysis from the PROCARD-ATI Study

April 27, 2025 No Comments

This study analyzed 130 adult cardiac surgery patients to identify perioperative predictors of prolonged ICU stays and in-hospital mortality. Results revealed aortic cross-clamp time (AXCT) as the sole independent predictor of ICU stays ≥7 days, with a threshold of 110 minutes. For mortality, prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time (CPBT), emergency surgery, and higher AXCT were key predictors. The findings suggest practical intraoperative benchmarks to enhance surgical strategies and outcomes.

Near-Infrared Spectroscopy to Monitor Cerebral and Renal Oxygen Saturation During Cardiopulmonary Bypass Surgery for Paediatric Congenital Heart Disease: Study Protocol for a Prospective Observational Cohort Trial

April 10, 2025 No Comments

This BMJ Open study outlines a prospective cohort trial evaluating near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to monitor cerebral and renal oxygen saturation during pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. It aims to link intraoperative oxygenation levels with postoperative brain and kidney injuries, assessing outcomes with biomarkers and quality-of-life metrics. Findings could improve organ injury prediction and perioperative care in congenital heart disease surgeries.

Impact of Inflammation After Cardiac Surgery on 30-Day Mortality and Machine Learning Risk Prediction

April 5, 2025 No Comments

This study investigates the effects of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) on 30-day mortality following cardiac surgery and develops machine learning models to predict SIRS. Analyzing data from 1,908 patients, researchers found SIRS significantly raised mortality risk. Key predictors included preoperative anemia and intraoperative lactate peaks. Predictive models using random forest achieved high accuracy, offering insights for tailored interventions.

Comparison of Del Nido and Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate Cardioplegia Solutions: An Animal Study With Prolonged Ischaemia

April 3, 2025 No Comments

This study compares Del Nido (DN) and Bretschneider histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) cardioplegia solutions in a porcine model of prolonged ischaemia. DN demonstrated superior left ventricular function, spontaneous return to sinus rhythm, and less haemodilution and endothelial dysfunction compared to HTK. Histological and biochemical markers of injury, stress, and apoptosis showed no significant differences, suggesting DN offers enhanced myocardial protection during cardiac surgery.

Real-Time Blood Gas Management: Evaluating Quantum Perfusion System’s Accuracy Against a Standard Blood Gas Analysis in CPB

April 3, 2025 No Comments

This non-inferiority study evaluates the Quantum Perfusion System (QPS) for continuous blood gas monitoring during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) against the standard blood gas analyzer (BGA). Using data from 40 patients undergoing cardiac surgeries, QPS demonstrated high accuracy and agreement with BGA across all key parameters, adhering to Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) standards, and validating its utility as a trending device.

On MANTA Vascular Closure Devices Following Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Effectiveness and Complications

April 2, 2025 No Comments

The article explores the safety and effectiveness of the MANTA vascular closure device for managing large-bore arteriotomy, particularly post-decannulation in veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) patients. Findings suggest the MANTA device reduces vascular complications and offers a viable, low-risk option for critically ill patients, though further high-powered studies are needed to confirm superiority over other closure methods.