We determine if use of 16-cm central venous catheters (CVC) minimizes dangerous intracardiac catheter placements. We conducted a prospective study in a large community teaching hospital. Consecutive patients (n = 127) who required a CVC via either the internal jugular (IJV) or the subclavian vein (SCV) were assessed using 16 (n = 102) or 20-cm (n = 25) catheters. The main outcome measurements w...

Diabetes is comorbid with cardiovascular disease and impaired immunity. Rapamycin improves cardiac functions and extends lifespan by inhibiting the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). However, in diabetic murine models, Rapamycin elevates hyperglycemia and reduces longevity. Since Rapamycin is an immunosuppressant, we examined whether Rapamycin (750 μg/kg/day) modulates intracar...

Present guidelines endorse complete removal of cardiovascular-implantable electronic devices (pacemakers/defibrillators), including extraction intracardiac electrodes, not only for systemic infections but also localized “pocket infections.” We evaluated the efficacy delivering “Continuous, In-situ-Targeted, ultra-high concentration Antibiotics” (CITA) into infected subcutaneous device-pocket, o...

Intracardic air embolism is uncommon, however it is a serious condition which frequently leads to catastrophic complications during or after invasive procedures resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. For a successful resuscitation of patients with intracardiac air embolism, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is critical. Still, due to a hyperbaric chamber’s unavailability at many hospitals an...