European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Mar 2012
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for 2009 influenza A (H1N1) acute respiratory distress syndrome: single-centre experience with 1-year follow-up.
During 2009, pandemic influenza A (H1N1) affected France and several patients developed influenza A (H1N1)-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome. The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) could be advocated as therapeutic solution. We present our experience with ECMO utilized in patients with influenza A (H1N1)-associated respiratory failure. ⋯ Veno-venous ECMO for 2009 H1N1-associated respiratory failure gives good results with a very low mortality rate. The use of a mobile unit is a safe procedure and may improve survival of patients who might not be otherwise eligible for transfer to our institution. Larger studies are however required in order to optimize and refine the best treatment strategy in this subgroup of patients.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Mar 2012
Lung transplant for interstitial lung disease: outcomes before and after implementation of the united network for organ sharing lung allocation scoring system.
This study was undertaken to evaluate whether the adoption of the united network for organ sharing lung allocation score (LAS) was associated with significant changes in lung transplantation (LTX) outcomes for patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) who underwent LTX at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics. ⋯ Post-transplant outcomes for patients with ILD or the subset of recipients with IPF were not adversely affected by the implementation of the LAS.
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Mar 2012
Preoperative and operative predictors of delirium after cardiac surgery in elderly patients.
Delirium is a common complication in elderly patients after cardiac surgery and is associated with adverse outcomes including prolonged hospital stay and increased mortality. Therefore, prevention or early detection of delirium is indicated. Our objective was to identify preoperative and operative characteristics that could predict delirium after cardiac surgery in elderly patients. ⋯ Low MMSE score and high creatinine level prior to surgery as well as increased ECC time are important independent predictors of delirium. In addition, delirium is an important predictor of 30-day mortality. Patients with a substantial risk for delirium should be candidates for interventions to reduce postoperative delirium and to potentially improve overall surgical outcomes.