Perfusion News - International Perfusion AssociationThe International Perfusion Association conducted a study to investigate the risk factors associated with renal replacement therapy (RRT) in patients undergoing mechanical circulatory support (MCS). The retrospective analysis of 129 patients revealed an incidence of RRT at 36%. Key risk factors identified in the study include prior immunologic therapy and the presence of pacemakers or internal cardiac defibrillators. The study also found that unfractionated heparin provided minimal protection against RRT, suggesting the potential role of systemic inflammation and the need for alternative anticoagulation strategies.Magnesium Administration in Cardioplegic ArrestAnother study conducted at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) focused on evaluating the necessity of magnesium administration following cardioplegic arrest with del Nido cardioplegia (dNC) solution. Analysis of serum magnesium levels in 100 patients revealed a high prevalence of hypermagnesemia. The findings raised concerns about the risks associated with excessive magnesium levels, leading to recommendations to reconsider routine post-cross-clamp magnesium administration in dNC settings.National Matching Service for Perfusion Education ProgramsWith the increasing demand for perfusion education programs (PEPs), a study explored the potential benefits of implementing a national matching service (NMS) for PEP applicants, similar to medical residency matches. By standardizing timelines, eliminating unfair practices, and ensuring efficient applicant-program matching, an NMS could enhance the recruitment process and address the challenges faced by qualified applicants in securing spots in PEPs.Checklist for Cardiopulmonary BypassAnother study focused on developing and validating a checklist for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) to improve patient safety and reduce adverse events. Expert perfusionists refined a 42-item checklist using the Delphi method, resulting in a final checklist with 41 crucial elements. The standardized checklist aims to enhance the systematic verification of equipment and protocols during CPB procedures, emphasizing the importance of structured guidelines in enhancing surgical outcomes.Intraoperative Cell-Salvaged Blood Transfusion in Metastatic Spine Tumour SurgeryA prospective clinical study evaluated the impact of intraoperative cell-salvaged blood transfusion (SBT) on long-term clinical outcomes in metastatic spine tumour surgery (MSTS). A comparison with allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT) and no transfusion (NBT) showed no significant difference in overall survival or tumour progression over four years, supporting SBT as a viable alternative to ABT and reducing reliance on donor blood.Microvascular Dysfunction in Cardioplegic Arrest and Cardiopulmonary BypassA review examined microvascular dysfunction following cardioplegic arrest and cardiopulmonary bypass (CP/CPB), with a focus on diabetes and hypertension. The study explored various aspects such as endothelial and vasomotor dysfunction, gene/protein expression changes, endothelial adherens junction impairment, and programmed cell death, providing insights into potential interventions to improve surgical outcomes.Intraoperative Fluid Volume and Postoperative Pulmonary ComplicationsA systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the impact of intraoperative fluid volume on postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in thoracic surgeries. The analysis of 11 studies indicated that higher intraoperative fluid infusion was associated with an increased risk of PPCs, suggesting that a restrictive fluid strategy may be safer. Further research is needed to establish definitive recommendations due to high heterogeneity and potential biases.Advancements in Anesthetic Drugs for Cardiac SurgeryAnother review explored recent advancements in anesthetic drugs for cardiac surgery, highlighting the lack of a standard protocol for anesthesia in these procedures. The study discussed commonly used agents such as opioids, volatile anesthetics, and novel drugs like dexmedetomidine and remimazolam, emphasizing the significance of opioid-free anesthesia approaches and innovative drug delivery systems to improve patient outcomes. PerfusionGPT: AI-Powered Chatbot for PerfusionistsPerfusionGPT is an AI-powered chatbot based on OpenAI’s latest models, designed to provide expert knowledge for perfusionists in cardiac surgery. The chatbot serves as a valuable resource for clinical decision-making and educational purposes in the field of perfusion, offering a unique tool to enhance knowledge and support in perfusion practices.