The microcirculation in severe heart failure and cardiogenic shock

This thesis reports characteristics of the microcirculation in cardiogenic shock, as well as approaches to influence microvascular blood flow

Vasodilation through levodopa for Parkinson's disease may require high left ventricular assist device flow

We report implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) in a patient with Parkinson's disease. Postoperative fluid overload together with insufficient LVAD output in the setting of vasodilation through levodopa likely caused renal hypoperfusion and acute kidney injury. A patient like ours, therefore, requires the highest possible increase of HM3 RPM and LVAD flow early after surgery

Acute Pump Thrombosis in the Early Postoperative Period After HeartMate 3 Implantation

There are no reports of acute pump thrombosis in the latest, continuous flow left ventricular assist devices type HeartMate 3, other than thrombus ingestion. We present a case of early thrombosis of the pump and outflow graft, necessitating acute pump and outflow graft replacement. A combination of lowflow episodes and subtherapeutic levels of anticoagulation was the most likely cause. ASAIO Journal 2019; 65:e72–e74

Monitoring pulmonary pressures during long-term continuous-flow left ventricular assist device and fixed pulmonary hypertension: redefining alleged pathophysiological mechanisms?

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) type II (classified by the World Health Organization) is a common complication in chronic left-sided heart failure. In advanced heart failure therapy, fixed PH is an absolute contraindication for heart transplantation after which a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is the only remaining option. With remote monitoring, we can now continuously evaluate the pulmonary artery pressures during long-term LV unloading by the LVAD. In this case, we demonstrate that fixed PH can be reversed with LVAD implantation, whereby previous thoughts of this concept should be redefined in the era of assist devices

A nationwide overview of 1-year mortality in cardiac arrest patients admitted to intensive care units in the Netherlands between 2010 and 2016

Aim: Worldwide, cardiac arrest (CA) remains a major cause of death. Most post-CA patients are admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). The aim of this study is to describe mortality rates and possible changes in mortality rates in patients with CA admitted to the ICU in the Netherlands between 2010 and 2016. Methods: In this study, we included all adult CA patients registered in the National Intensive Care Evaluation (NICE) regist

Mechanical Support in Early Cardiogenic Shock: What Is the Role of Intra-aortic Balloon Counterpulsation?

Purpose of Review: We aim to summarize recent insights and provide an up-to-date overview on the role of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) counterpulsation in cardiogenic shock (CS). Recent Findings: In the largest randomized controlled trial (RCT) of patients with CS after acute myocardial infarction