Background There have been few detailed, in-person interviews and examinations to obtain
follow-up data on 5-year outcomes among survivors of the acute respiratory distress …

Background As more patients survive the acute respiratory distress syndrome, an understanding
of the long-term outcomes of this condition is needed. Methods We evaluated 109 …

ContextAtrial fibrillation is a common, but potentially preventable, complication following
coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.ObjectivesTo assess the nature and …

Background Antifibrinolytic agents are commonly used during cardiac surgery to minimize
bleeding and to reduce exposure to blood products. We sought to determine whether …

BACKGROUND: A minority of patients having cardiac procedures (15% to 20%) consume
more than 80% of the blood products transfused at operation. Blood must be viewed as a …

BACKGROUND: Practice guidelines reflect published literature. Because of the ever changing
literature base, it is necessary to update and revise guideline recommendations from time …

Background A strategy of mechanical ventilation that limits airway pressure and tidal volume
while permitting hypercapnia has been recommended for patients with the acute respiratory …

Background— Acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac surgery is a major health issue.
Lacking effective therapies, risk factor modification may offer a means of preventing this …

Background Surgical occlusion of the left atrial appendage has been hypothesized to
prevent ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, but this has not been proved. The …

Background The effect of a restrictive versus liberal red-cell transfusion strategy on clinical
outcomes in patients undergoing cardiac surgery remains unclear. Methods In this multicenter…