Search

The HeartWare HVAD System (Medtronic) is a durable implantable left ventricular assist device that has been implanted in approximately 20,000 patients worldwide for bridge to transplant and destination therapy indications. In December 2020, Medtronic issued an Urgent Medical Device Communication informing clinicians of a critical device malfunction in which the HVAD may experience a delay or failure to restart after elective or accidental discontinuation of pump operation. Moreover, evolving retrospective comparative effectiveness studies of patients supported with the HVAD demonstrated a significantly higher risk of stroke and all-cause mortality when compared with a newer generation of a commercially available durable left ventricular assist device. Considering the totality of this new information on HVAD performance and the availability of an alternate commercially available device, Medtronic halted the sale and distribution of the HVAD System in June 2021. The decision to remove the HVAD from commercial distribution now requires the use of the HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist system (Abbott, Inc) if a patient previously implanted with an HVAD requires a pump exchange. The goal of this document is to review important differences in the design of the HVAD and HeartMate 3 that are relevant to the medical management of patients supported with these devices, and to assess the technical aspects of an HVAD-to-HeartMate 3 exchange. This document provides the best available evidence that supports best practices. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2022;-:1–8) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) works increasingly in societies where conflict or human rights violations of massive proportions have very much relativized the notion of rule of law. These are situations in which the basic components of the machinery of protection and justice simply do not exist, or where they do exist, have lost their legitimacy. In terms of practical outcomes for their persecuted, attacked, or terrorized populations, the relevance of rule of law has to be painfully reconstructed, institution by institution, law by law, and capacity by capacity. UNHCR contributes to this effort, because it can make the difference between solutions or protracted exile for refugees, and if refugee issues go unresolved, the prospects for real and lasting peace are much diminished. The article gives a brief overview of recent developments in this area, examines the challenges the UNHCR faces, stresses the importance of prioritizing the reestablishment of the rule of law, and outlines some lessons learned. Particular challenges include competing justice systems, the tensions between “top down” and “bottom up” approaches, and the issues of land rights and the fight against impunity. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

It is an unfortunate but true cliché that we live in a seriously troubled world. Turbulence and conflict in many parts of the world from Africa to Iraq and Asia, as well as persecution of peoples because of their ethnicity, politics or religion in countries on all continents continue to be facts of modern day life. We also live in a world the population of which is increasingly mobile, where horizons are ever broader and where the impetus to migrate has its roots in a myriad of social, economic, political and human rights ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors. Conflict, human rights violations, lack of social progress, economic under-privilege and sharp divisions between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’ will variously continue to push Sudanese, Uzbeks, Iraqis, Afghans, Sri Lankans, Somalis, Liberians, Chechens, Montagnards and Acehenese, to name but a few groups, towards and across the borders of other countries. These other countries will not only be those which traditionally receive large numbers of refugees. They also include countries with economies in transition, countries on transit routes, and countries where prospects look just that little better. Mobility cannot be prevented. The odds are against this, not least because of the impossibility of policing all the world's borders and the prevalence of people smuggling and trafficking. As far as refugees are concerned, prevention of flight, which denies them their basic security and safety is not only impossible, it is also not permitted under international law. The objective therefore should not be to prevent movement, but to manage better the many sensitive issues at stake, including national security and identity, social harmony and economic progress, in a manner which protects individual rights and State interests, promotes a proper sharing of responsibilities and maximizes the benefits that migration of all sorts can bring to host societies. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article presents a speech by Erika Feller, director of the Department of International Protection of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, delivered at the 10th Annual Humanitarian Conference on "Migrants and Refugees: The Challenge of Identity and Integration" held in Geneva, Switzerland in February 2005, in which she argued that refugees are not migrants but the recognized beneficiaries of internationally endorsed rights.

The article presents a speech by Erika Feller, director of the Department of International Protection of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), delivered at the European Union (EU) Seminar on Children Affected by Armed Conflict and Displacement held in Sweden on March 1, 2001, in which she discussed the work of the UNHCR for protection of separated children seeking asylum in Europe.

The article provides information on developments in the 1951 Convention on the Status of Refugees. It discusses the contemporary concepts of the Convention's refugee protection system, including the provision of refugees in the absence of discrimination, the need of cooperation by States with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the principle of non-refoulement. It also highlights international collaborations on international protection and the future of the Convention.

An introduction to the journal is presented in which the editor discusses the mission statement of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

A foreword to "Refugee Survey Quarterly" is presented.

The article presents an introduction to the book "Refugee Survey Quarterly."