Journal of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Jun 2023
ReviewNovel Three-Dimensional Printed Human Heart Models and Ultrasound Omniplane Simulator for Transesophageal Echocardiography Training.
Simulation-based training plays an essential role in transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) education. Using 3-dimensional printing technology, the authors invented a novel TEE teaching system consisting of a series of heart models that can be segmented according to actual TEE views, and an ultrasound omniplane simulator to demonstrate how ultrasound beams intersect the heart at different angles and generate images. ⋯ This teaching system itself is also portable and inexpensive, making it conducive to teaching TEE in regions of diverse economic status. This teaching system also can be expected to be used for just-in-time training in a variety of clinical scenarios, including operating rooms, intensive care units, etc.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Jun 2023
Randomized Controlled TrialLevosimendan or Milrinone for Ventricular Septal Defect Repair With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.
Both milrinone and levosimendan have been used in patients undergoing surgical closure of ventricular septal defects (VSD) with pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH); however, the evidence base for their use is limited. In the present study, the authors sought to compare the role of levosimendan and milrinone in the prevention of low-cardiac-output syndrome in the early postoperative period. ⋯ In patients undergoing surgical repair for VSD with PAH, levosimendan does not confer any additional benefit compared to milrinone. Both milrinone and levosimendan appear to be safe in this cohort.