Early levosimendan administration is associated with decreased mortality after cardiac surgery.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the effects on postoperative outcome of levosimendan with respect to timing of its administration in cardiac surgery patients.

Materials And Methods: Levosimendan administration was triggered by a severely reduced left ventricular systolic function (left ventricular ejection fraction, <35%) and/or signs of a low cardiac output syndrome. A total of 159 patients were retrospectively assigned depending on an early (perioperatively up to the first hour after intensive care unit [ICU] admission) vs late (later than the first hour after ICU admission) start of treatment.

Transfemoral versus conventional aortic valve implantation--early postoperative cognitive outcome.

Objectives: Reduction of cognitive function is a possible side effect after cardiac surgery. We investigated the effect of transfemoral versus conventional aortic valve replacement on cognitive performance early after surgery.

Methods: 50 patients with transfemoral, catheter-based aortic valve implantations were compared to 50 patients with conventional surgical aortic valve replacement.

Use of an antimicrobial skin sealant reduces surgical site infection in patients undergoing routine cardiac surgery.

Background: With high morbidity and potentially devastating consequences, surgical site infections (SSIs) after cardiac surgery add substantially to the healthcare burden. Inhibiting migration of skin microbes is likely to reduce contamination of the surgical incision by endogenous potential pathogens. We studied the effect of treatment with a cyanoacrylate-based antimicrobial skin sealant (INTEGUSEAL®) on the SSI rate in cardiac surgery patients.

A retrospective non-randomized study on the impact of INTEGUSEAL, a preoperative microbial skin sealant, on the rate of surgical site infections after cardiac surgery.

Objective: Surgical site infection (SSI) remains a serious potential complication after cardiac surgery. This study evaluated the impact of a cyanoacrylate microbial skin sealant (INTEGUSEAL) on the rate of SSI in cardiac surgery patients.

Methods: Between January 2006 and July 2008, 580 patients underwent cardiac surgery by a single surgeon (PMD).