A panel of distinguished heart surgeons from leading cardiac centers shared their experiences and strategies to optimize patient recovery after cardiothoracic surgery at a panel discussion in Montreal yesterday. Of emphasis was the ongoing challenge of high complication rates for patients who have inadequate postoperative blood evacuation, known as Retained Blood Syndrome (RBS), and how this impacts the development of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation (POAF) after cardiac surgery.Simon Maltais, MD, Ph.D., a heart surgeon from the Mayo Clinic, discussed the incidence and consequences of retained blood complications after ventricular assist device (VAD) placement, and his research showing how these complications can be reduced with active clearance of chest drains in early recovery in the ICU. Spencer Melby, MD, a heart surgeon from the Washington University School of Medicine discussed his investigative work regarding the biologic mechanisms of how retained blood triggers POAF in susceptible individuals. Louis Perrault, MD, Ph.D., FRSCS, a cardiac surgeon from the Montreal Heart Institute, presented clinical data showing a marked reduction in POAF with Active Clearance Technology after heart surgery. Cardiothoracic Surgeon Philippe Demers, MD, M.Sc., FRCSC, also of the Montreal Heart Institute, described an ongoing prospective randomized clinical trial exploring the impact of active clearance of chest drains on POAF.ClearFlow, Inc., a medical device company based in Anaheim, California, hosted the evening Symposium in Montreal. ClearFlow is the manufacturer of the innovative PleuraFlow® Active Clearance Technology® System – a first of its kind technology that enables caregivers to proactively keep chest drainage tubes clear of blood clots and prevent retained blood after heart surgery. Published by BusinessWire