The Annals of thoracic surgery
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This study examined predictors and cost-effectiveness of early extubation after coronary artery bypass grafting. ⋯ Early extubation shortened the postoperative length of stay, resulting in reduction of cost and resource utilization. The average hospital charge per patient was approximately $6,000 less in the early extubation group.
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From 1972 to 1977, a treatment protocol was developed at our institution for patients with suspected penetrating intrapericardial wounds. It consists of immediate transport to the operating room, pericardial decompression by subxiphoid pericardial window under local or light general anesthesia in patients in stable condition, and median sternotomy and operative repair with limited use of cardiopulmonary bypass. ⋯ Approach to a trauma victim must be systematic. We believe one treatment protocol for patients with suspected penetrating intrapericardial wounds is effective.
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The indications for prolonged cardiopulmonary support or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation are expanding. A potential serious complication of these techniques is distal limb ischemia. ⋯ We describe a simple method of providing distal limb perfusion using ordinary pressure tubing and a standard cordis catheter. This technique is capable of reproducing normal superficial femoral artery blood flow.