Summer 2021: Pump It Up
PCICS Leadership
Associate Editor’s Message August 2021
It is my great joy and pride to invite you all to view the Summer edition of the PCICS Newsletter. Packed with updates from committees and special interest groups, as well as details about the phenomenal Protocol Warehouse, we are calling this one the “Pump It Up” edition – pumping up the enthusiasm for the…
President’s Message August 2021
Summer is here! And what a difference a year makes. I’m really excited about this newsletter theme because mechanical circulatory support has evolved tremendously over the course of my career and offers so much promise for our patients. While all of our work in cardiac intensive care relies on a highly functioning team, successfully managing…
Editorials
Guest Editorial: The changing paradigms of VAD use in neonates, infants, and children
The use of ventricular assist devices (VAD) in pediatrics has evolved over the past two decades. Initially, the development of the adult-sized Berlin EXCOR VAD allowed for a viable option in older children, with the subsequent development of techniques to successfully support children with dilated cardiomyopathy. Several continuous flow devices emerged, with Heart Mate II…
Nursing Editorial: Preparations for Hospital Discharge of the Pediatric VAD Patient
For pediatric patients with a VAD and their families, hospital discharge can be frightening; for the hospital VAD team, the process can be daunting. Creating a detailed outline of objectives, including pre-implant education, in-patient education, discharge readiness, follow-up planning, and community reintegration, will help ease this transition to life outside the hospital for VAD patients….
Early Career Editorial: Role of Impella® in Pediatric Mechanical Circulatory Support
Cardiogenic shock is a major source of morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients with cardiomyopathy or after cardiac surgery. While extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been the traditional choice for these patients who are critically sick and need a short term mechanical circulatory support, another emerging device (which was designed primarily for temporary cardiovascular support…
Committees and SIGs
Connections Committee Update November 2021
The Social Media subcommittee added several new members this year and had a strong presence…
Collaborative Update from the Education, QI, and Research Committees
Protocol Warehouse is here! We are excited to share with our members the news of…
Finance Committee Update August 2021
PCICS has weathered the financial storm of the COVID-19 pandemic and we are continuing our…
CNS/Educator SIG Update
The PCICS CNS/Educator SIG continues to provide an opportunity for networking and a forum for…
Program Committee Update August 2021
The program committee has finalized the program for the 2021 PCICS Virtual Meeting with the theme “Celebrating…