Anatomy Commons^™

Hemoadsorption With Cytosorb As Part Of A Strategy To Improve Outcomes In Patients On Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, Ruzica Mrkonjic

The VAD Journal

The exposure of a patient’s blood to the non-endothelialized surface of the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) system results in the production of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. This imbalance in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines leads to inflammatory response syndrome, which contributes to edema, vasoplegia, and multiple organ failure among other complications. Hemoadsorption therapy, with the use of CytoSorb^® (CytoSorbents) has emerged as a well-accepted treatment option that helps control pro-inflammatory response and improve outcomes for patients on ECMO. However, studies have shown that the potential of hemoadsorption is controversial and that it is crucial for clinicians to weigh the pros …

Highlights Of The 2023 Brano Heart Failure Forum, Bela Merkely, Rajko Radovancevic, Bojan Vrtovec, Igor D. Gregoric

The VAD Journal

Since 2007, the Branislav “Brano” Radovancevic Heart Failure Forum (BHFF) has been held annually to provide a venue for experts to present and discuss “Innovations and New Treatment Strategies in Heart Failure.” Clinicians and researchers gather yearly in a different Eastern European city to discuss the latest in heart failure diagnostics and therapeutics. The 2023 BHHF forum was held on the 13^th thru 15^th of September 2023 in Budapest, Hungary. It was attended by over 100 faculty from 16 countries. In addition, participation through online streaming was available. Throughout the forum, 16 sessions focused on challenges and solutions …

What Did We Learn About Vads In 2023?, Maya Guglin

The VAD Journal

This is our 10^th annual literature review on mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices. All of our previous reports were well received by the readers.^1-9

In this paper, we summarized the most interesting and important, from our standpoint, publications from 2023. There may be some slight overlap with the end of 2022, because some papers were published online first, and the year of publication changed when they became available in print.

For the seventh time this year, we wrote a section on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), which primarily addresses new developments in veno-arterial ECMO.

Readers who wish to supplement …

Late Cardiotoxicity From The Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor, Dasatinib: Pleural Effusions, Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, And Right Heart Failure, Mark Jay Zucker, Andrew M. Zucker

The VAD Journal

Despite the remarkable progress made over the past few decades in the management of patients with both solid and hematologic malignancies, radiation- and chemotherapy-related cardiotoxicity remains an ongoing problem. This is true even for newer highly targeted therapies, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). This report presents a case of late/severe right heart dysfunction secondary to pulmonary hypertension, developed after ten years of therapy with dasatinib. We also review the history of this known, but often unrecognized, and potentially reversible complication, and we suggest treatment options. Additionally, this case highlights the remarkable effectiveness of TKIs in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia …

Ultrasound – An Underutilized Diagnostic Tool For Ventricular Assist Device Driveline Infections, Kristina Krzelj, Tomislav Tokic, Tomislav Kopjar, Maja Cikes, Davor Milicic, Hrvoje Gasparovic

The VAD Journal

Patients with ventricular assist device (VAD) driveline infections (DLI) have reduced quality of life and increased risk of severe complications, such as sepsis, hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke, and wound infections. The management of VAD patients imposes a significant financial burden due to prolonged in-hospital stays, frequent re-admissions, expensive diagnostics, and the need for antibiotic therapy and/or surgical intervention. There is considerable room for improvement in DLI management, particularly in the early detection and treatment stages. Ultrasound, an easily applicable device available in almost every hospital, offers an unrecognized potential for the early detection of DLI. By increasing awareness about the …