Pediatric heart failure (HF) patients have been a historically underserved population for mechanical circulatory support (MCS) therapy. To address this clinical need, we are developing a low cost, universal magnetically levitated extracorporeal system with interchangeable pump heads for pediatric support. Two impeller and pump designs (pump V1 and V2) for the pediatric pump were developed using dimensional analysis techniques and classic pump theory based on defined performance criteria (generated flow, pressure, and impeller diameter). The designs were virtually constructed using computer-aided design (CAD) software and 3D flow and pressure features were analyzed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis. Simulated pump designs (V1, V2) were operated at higher rotational speeds (~5,000 revolutions per minute [RPM]) than initially estimated (4,255 RPM) to achieve the desired operational point (3.5 L/min flow at 150 mm Hg). Pump V2 outperformed V1 by generating approximately 30% higher pressures at all simulated rotational speeds and at 5% lower priming volume. Simulated hydrodynamic performance (achieved flow and pressure, hydraulic efficiency) of our pediatric pump design, featuring reduced impeller size and priming volume, compares favorably to current commercially available MCS devices.Compared with the mid-sternotomy approach, minimally invasive mitral valve surgery is usually associated with longer surgical times. The increasing use of new technology has facilitated this procedure and shortened its duration, which may further improve surgical results. Since 2004, 152 patients have undergone minimally invasive mitral valve repair. Video-assisted 2D technology was used for the first 112 patients, while video-assisted 3D technology was used for the remaining 40 patients. All patients were divided into three groups group 1 - the first 50 patients (learning curve using 2D technology); group 2 - 62 patients (past the learning curve using 2D technology); and group 3 - 40 patients (3D technology). Mean patient age was 50 ± 12 years. There was no in-hospital mortality and no conversions to mid-sternotomy. Cardiopulmonary bypass and cross-clamp times were significantly shorter in group 3 compared with groups 2 and 1, respectively (108 ± 19 vs. 124 ± 22 vs. 139 ± 27, p less then 0.001; and 76 ± 14 vs. 86 ± 18 vs. 97 ± 18, p less then 0.001). Intraoperative echocardiography revealed higher freedom from more than mild residual mitral regurgitation after the first pump-run in group 3 compared to group 2 (97.5% vs. 90.3%, p = 0.04). Patients in the 3D group had less postoperative bleeding (p = 0.026) and a higher glomerular filtration rate before discharge (p less then 0.001) compared with the 2D groups. No significant differences were observed in ventilation time (p = 0.066) and intensive care unit duration (p = 0.071). We concluded that in minimally invasive mitral valve repair, 3D video-assisted technology may provide shorter surgical times compared to 2D video-assisted technology.Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) can successfully support patients with refractory respiratory failure and is widely accepted as a bridge to recovery or bridge to transplantation. However, some problems hinder success. Recirculation, an innate complication of VV ECMO, hamper efficient oxygenation. Right ventricular (RV) failure secondary to respiratory failure is not uncommon and can be reversed by VV ECMO. But there are often times when RV failure gets worse, and since VV ECMO is no longer effective, additional measures are needed. Moreover, peripheral cannulation restricts active rehabilitation leading to weakness and weaning failure. Oxygenator-right ventricular assist device (OxyRVAD) refers any configuration that combines oxygenator and centrifugal pump. Compared to VV ECMO, it has advantages of hemodynamic support, elimination of recirculation, and facilitation of rehabilitation. In the present case, we overcame recirculation and impending RV failure by applying OxyRVAD to patient who was initially managed with VV ECMO.  https://www.selleckchem.com/products/liraglutide.html  He underwent lung transplantation after about 6 months of OxyRVAD support with active rehabilitation, the longest maintenance period ever known.This study aims to numerically investigate the effect of bi-leaflet mechanical heart valve (BMHV) orientation on flow pattern in a realistic human aorta model with branches. The aorta model geometry is based on anatomical shape and dimensions involving aortic arch with twist and branches. Unsteady numerical simulations have been carried out to investigate the peak systolic flow in aorta through a BMHV installed at three different orientations, marked as 0°, 45°, and 90°. Velocity, vorticity, and strain fields were obtained in various cross sectional planes for all the cases to examine the spatial flow evolution starting from the sinus along the aortic arch. The valve leaflets were seen to produce small-scale stream wise contra-rotating vortices. These vortices changed their positions around the axis of aorta while advecting from one cross-sectional plane to another; thereby, clearly indicating swirl in the aortic flow. The net viscous dissipation energy loss (EL), obtained from strain field, was found to rise because of the presence of BMHV. The increase in the EL varied depending on the valve orientation as it changed from 43% for 0° to a maximum of 53% for 90° compared with no valve case. Similarly, the wall shear stress registered an increase by up to 4 Pa in the ascending aorta because the presence of BMHV; however, no significant effect of the valve orientation was noticed.Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) is increasingly being used in the management of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The Respiratory ECMO Survival Prediction (RESP) score is most commonly used to predict survival of patients undergoing ECMO. However, the RESP score does not incorporate renal and hepatic dysfunction which are frequently a part of the constellation of multiorgan dysfunction associated with ARDS. The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) incorporates both liver and kidney dysfunction and is used in the risk stratification of liver transplant recipients as well as those undergoing cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of the MELD score in patients undergoing VV ECMO. Patients undergoing VV ECMO from 2016 to 2019 were extracted from our prospectively maintained institutional ECMO database and stratified based on MELD score. Baseline clinical, laboratory, and follow-up data, as well as post-ECMO outcomes, were compared. Of 71 patients, 50 patients (70.