International Perfusion Association

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Heart to Heart Mission

For more than 20 years, the IPA has performed life-saving heart surgery on over 400 patients in Santiago, Dominican Republic.

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Honduras Mission

The IPA is working with Duke to expand their heart surgery mission program in Honduras. We have a mission trip planned for mid-May. Stay tuned for more information.

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Your Mission Trip

The IPA will gladly make donations to qualified charitable organizations who perform cardiac surgery mission work for patients in need.

600+

Patients served

Help Mend a Heart!

Every member of our team is an unpaid volunteer, so please take comfort in knowing that 100% of all donated funds go directly to patient care. Your generosity is so very welcome and will help save lives!

— Latest News —

Exploding Aorta

Inflammation in Aortic Surgery: Postoperative Evolution of Biomarkers According to Pathologies and Segments of the Aorta

This study analyzes the postoperative trends of inflammatory biomarkers in 193 patients who underwent various types of aortic surgery. The research focused on the differing responses across four main surgical interventions: Type A aortic dissection repair, aortic root replacement, combined aortic arch and Frozen elephant trunk procedures, and descending/thoraco-abdominal aortic repair. Findings highlighted that inflammation levels, measured by WBC and CRP, vary significantly depending on the surgery type and aortic segment involved, with some groups showing prolonged inflammation.

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Heart Nurse

The Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index Predicts In-Hospital Mortality in Patients Who Underwent On-Pump Cardiac Surgery

This study explores the role of the Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII), derived from platelet, neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts, as a predictor of in-hospital mortality for patients undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery. Analyzing data from 480 patients, it was found that a higher preoperative SII is independently associated with an increased risk of mortality. With a sensitivity and specificity of 65%, SII, along with neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), provides valuable prognostic information, potentially guiding more effective treatments.

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Transplant Heart

Novel Portable Hypothermic Machine Perfusion Preservation Device Enhances Cardiac Viability of Donated Human Hearts

This study investigates a novel portable hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion device, the VP.S ENCORE®, designed to extend preservation times for donated human hearts. Utilizing hearts from 11 brain-dead donors, the research compared the efficacy of preservation across different durations (4, 6, and 8 hours) against standard static cold storage (SCS). Findings indicate that the VP.S ENCORE® significantly maintains cardiac viability and function, matching levels observed in healthy hearts, particularly in 6-hour perfusion scenarios which showed improved ventricular relaxation and reduced inflammation marker expression.

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