Development of rotary blood pump technology: past, present, and future

Even though clinical acceptance of a nonpulsatile blood flow was demonstrated almost 45 years ago, the development of a nonpulsatile blood pump was completely ignored until 20 years ago. In 1979, the first author's group demonstrated that completely pulseless animals did not exhibit any abnormal physiology if 20% higher blood flows were provided to them. However, during the next 10 years (1979-1988), minimum efforts were provided for the development of a nonpulsatile, permanently implantable cardiac prosthesis. In 1989, the first author and his team at Baylor College of Medicine initiated a developmental strategy of various types of nonpulsatile rotary blood pumps, including a 2-day rotary blood pump for cardiopulmonary bypass application, a 2 week pump for ECMO and short-term circulatory assistance, a 2 year pump as a bridge to transplantation, and a permanently implantable cardiac prosthesis. Following the design and developmental strategy established in 1989, successful development of a 2-day pump (the Nikkiso-Fairway cardiopulmonary bypass pump) in 4 years (1989-1993), a 2 week pump (Kyocera gyro G1E3 pump) in 6 years (1992-1998), and a bridge to transplant pump (DeBakey LVAD-an axial flow blood pump) in 10 years (1988-1998) was made. Currently, a permanently implantable centrifugal blood pump development program is successfully completing its initial Phase 1 program of 5 years (1995-2000). Implantation exceeded 9 months without any negative findings. An additional 5 year Phase II program (2000-2005) is expected to complete such a device that will be clinically available.     

Geospatial analysis of suicidal bridge jumping in the Metro Vancouver Regional District from 2006 to 2014

In the past decade, there have been many structural changes implemented to Vancouver's largest bridges as a means of deterring criminogenic and suicidal behaviors. Guided by an environmental criminology theoretical framework, this research examines the patterns and trends of 201 cases of successful suicide jumping in the Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD) of British Columbia, Canada from 2006 to 2014. To evaluate these trends and to bolster the existing literature on deterrence measures through environmental design, this research will examine the spatial relationship between preferential bridge jumping locations and the home addresses of the deceased. Network analysis of 145 bridge jumpers suggests that suicidal people are willing to travel greater distances to jump from more iconic bridges than those closest to their home. Beyond mere aesthetic or practical functions, symbolic significance may impact which bridges become suicide hotspots over other convenient locations. Dwelling types, demographic profiles, and regional prevalence in the MVRD have also been aggregated and explored in this study.     

Enhancement of Hemocompatibility of the MERA Monopivot Centrifugal Pump: Toward Medium‐Term Use

The MERA monopivot centrifugal pump has been developed for use in open‐heart surgery, circulatory support, and bridge‐to‐decision for up to 4 weeks. The pump has a closed‐type, 50‐mm diameter impeller with four straight paths. The impeller is supported by a monopivot bearing and is driven by a radial‐flux magnet‐coupling motor. Because flow visualization experiments have clarified sufficient pivot wash and stagnation at the sharp corner of the pivot support was suggested, sharp corners were removed in the design stage. The index of hemolysis of the pump operating at more than 200 mm Hg was found to be lower than that of a commercial pump. Four‐week animal tests were then conducted two times; improvement of thrombus formation was seen in the female pivot through modification of female pivot geometry. Overall antithrombogenicity was also recorded. Finally, to assure mid‐term use, an additional 4‐week durability test revealed that the rate of the axial pivot wear was as small as 1.1 µm/day. The present in vitro and in vivo studies revealed that the MERA monopivot centrifugal pump has sufficient hemocompatibility and durability for up to 4 weeks.     

Biologic Fixation through Bridge Plating for Comminuted Shaft Fracture of the Clavicle: Technical Aspects and Prospective Clinical Experience with a Minimum of 12-Month Follow-up

For comminuted shaft fracture of clavicle, the operative goal, aside from sound bone healing without complications of direct reduction, is maintenance of the original length in order to maintain the normal biomechanics of adjacent joint. Our bridge plating technique utilizing distraction through a lumbar spreader was expected to be effective for restoring clavicular length with soft tissue preservation. However, there are two disadvantages. First, there is more exposure to radiation compared to conventional plating; and second, it is difficult to control the rotational alignment. Despite these disadvantages, our technique has important benefits, in particular, the ability to preserve clavicular length without soft tissue injury around the fracture site.     

Extracorporeal Life Support Bridge to Ventricular Assist Device: The Double Bridge Strategy

In patients requiring left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support, it can be difficult to ascertain suitability for long‐term mechanical support with LVAD and eventual transplantation. LVAD implantation in a shocked patient is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Interest is growing in the utilization of extracorporeal life support (ECLS) as a bridge‐to‐bridge support for these critically unwell patients. Here, we reviewed our experience with ECLS double bridging. We hypothesized that ECLS double bridging would stabilize end‐organ dysfunction and reduce ventricular assist device (VAD) implant perioperative mortality. We conducted a retrospective review of prospectively collected data for 58 consecutive patients implanted with a continuous‐flow LVAD between January 2010 and December 2013 at The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Twenty‐three patients required ECLS support pre‐LVAD while 35 patients underwent LVAD implantation without an ECLS bridge. Preoperative morbidity in the ECLS bridge group was reflected by increased postoperative intensive care duration, blood loss, blood product use, and postoperative renal failure, but without negative impact upon survival when compared with the no ECLS group. ECLS stabilization improved end‐organ function pre‐VAD implant with significant improvements in hepatic and renal dysfunction. This series demonstrates that the use of ECLS bridge to VAD stabilizes end‐organ dysfunction and reduces VAD implant perioperative mortality from that traditionally reported in these “crash and burn” patients.     

桥接组合式内固定系统治疗肱骨骨折疗效观察

目的探讨桥接组合式内固定系统治疗肱骨骨折的疗效。方法随机选取自2013年6月至2014年12月云南省第三人民医院骨伤科收治的肱骨干骨折患者50例。根据手术方法不同进行分组,其中,桥接组患者26例,钢板组患者24例。比较两组患者手术时间、术中出血量、住院时间、骨折愈合时间、内固定后并发症、肩肘关节功能评分等指标,对桥接组合式内固定系统治疗肱骨骨折的临床疗效做出评价。结果桥接组患者在手术时间、出血量、骨折愈合时间等方面均优于钢板组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组患者住院时间及肩、肘关节功能评分比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。两组患者术后均未出现骨不连、桡神经损伤等并发症。结论桥接组合式内固定系统治疗肱骨骨折在临床疗效、愈合时间、并发症、肩肘关节功能恢复等方面均有显著优势。另外,桥接组合式内固定系统在操作方面较锁定钢板更为简便,结构更稳固。     

交锁髓内钉合侧方钢板内固定与可桥接钢板内固定治疗下肢骨干无菌性骨不连的临床效果对比研究

目的 比较交锁髓内钉合侧方钢板内固定治疗与可桥接钢板内固定治疗下肢骨干无菌性骨不连的临床效果.方法 随机选取2011年10月～2013年11月在本院骨科手术治疗下肢骨干无菌性骨不连手术的256例患者为研究对象,根据治疗方法不同分成两组,交锁髓内钉组142例采用交锁髓内钉合侧方钢板内固定治疗,可桥接钢板组114例采用可桥接钢板内固定治疗,对比两组的围术期及术后随访情况.结果 术后256例患者骨折愈合且无并发症.交锁髓内钉组出血量和引流血量多于可桥接钢板组,内固定时间、临床愈合时间、影像愈合时间、住院时间长于可桥接钢板组,手术时间短于可桥接钢板组,骨痂评分低于可桥接钢板组,住院费用高于可桥接钢板组,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）.结论 两种下肢骨干骨不连的临床治疗方法均取得较好疗效,临床医生可根据患者的既往创伤程度、经济水平以及医院现有技术等综合考虑,选择最有利的治疗方式.