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The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of phosphorylcholine coating (PC) on intra-operative extracorporeal circulation (ECC) management and perioperative outcome. One hundred and twenty consecutive cardiac surgery patients were enrolled for the study. Patients were randomly assigned to ECC with PC circuits (60 patients) or to corresponding non-coated circuits (60 patients). Trans-oxygenator pressure drop, blood flows, flow resistances and ECC parameters were recorded at surgery before ECC institution and every 10 min thereafter until ECC discontinuation. Postoperative variables (hematological parameters, drainage blood loss, mechanical ventilation time, incidence of atrial fibrillation, use of blood products) were also assessed and compared between groups. No differences were found between the two groups in terms of demographics, operative, and hematological profiles. PC showed, at equal pump flows, to significantly (P

No data exist in the English-language literature about patients with Barlow disease associated to Steinert syndrome and little is known about the employment of hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and hyperkalemic cardioplegia in these patients. We present our experience with six patients affected by myxomatous degeneration associated to Steinert disease undergoing complex mitral valve repair. In all patients we employed mild hypothermic CPB (31 degrees C) and myocardial protection was achieved, in the entire cohort, by the use of blood hyperkalemic cold cardioplegia. The postoperative course was uneventful in all patients and neither shivering nor generalized muscle contraction were observed. Furthermore, all patients have remained well on an outpatient basis. Hypothermic CPB and hyperkalemic cardioplegia can be safely employed in patients with Steinert syndrome requiring complex cardiac surgery. Further large studies are necessary to confirm our findings.