Short-term use of "ECMELLA" in the context of fulminant eosinophilic myocarditis with cardiogenic shock.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic myocarditis (EM) is a rare form of myocarditis. Clinical presentation is various, includes cardiogenic shock and can often be fatal. Diagnosis is based on myocardial eosinophilic infiltration in endomyocardial biopsy. Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is often required in patients suffering from severe cardiogenic shock. Among the available MCS options the "ECMELLA" concept, a combination of left ventricular venting by Impella® device and extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is possibly able to provide the necessary time frame for diagnostics and initiation of anti-inflammatory medication in patients with fulminant myocarditis. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 38-year-old woman who was presented to us in severe cardiogenic shock, quickly requiring hemodynamic support by an Impella CP® device. Further dramatic hemodynamic deterioration accompanied by multi-organ dysfunction required escalation of MCS via ECLS as veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). After histopathological diagnosis of EM, our patient was put on immunosuppressive therapy with prednisolone. Recovery of both right and left ventricular function allowed explanation of VA-ECMO on day 4 and further hemodynamic improvement allowed removal of the Impella® device on day 9. The patient was discharged after 7 weeks with fully restored cardiac function and in a good neurological state. CONCLUSIONS: In severe cardiac shock due to fulminant EM the ECMELLA concept as bridge-to-recovery seems to be a valid option to provide the required time for diagnostics and specific therapy.

Innovative tools for atrial fibrillation ablation.

INTRODUCTION: Catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) is an effective treatment option with encouraging clinical outcome data. Further improvement of catheter technologies is desirable, in particular for patients with persistent and long-standing persistent AF. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of novel ablation tools in AF-ablation. AREAS COVERED: The most widely used ablation tool still is the single-tip catheter for radiofrequency (RF) ablation. Contact-force (CF) catheters and the introduction of individualized ablation protocols may overcome limitations of single-tip RF-based ablation. Furthermore, balloon-based pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) - first and foremost the cryoballoon (CB) - based ablation - moved into the foreground especially for the treatment of paroxysmal AF, because of its ease of use and proven safety. Upcoming RF balloon technologies are also promising. Moreover, new mapping and imaging technologies might help to identify non-PV-triggers in patients with arrhythmia recurrence and may have the potential to enable real-time therapy assessment. EXPERT OPINION: New ablation tools such as CF-sensing catheters or novel balloon-devices could help to overcome the major limitation of PV-reconnection and lead to improved outcomes. Moreover, novel mapping tools to identify extra-PV-triggers may improve ablation success in patients with persistent and long-standing persistent AF.

Cardiac Arrest and Successful Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation as a Result of a Refeeding Syndrome in a Young Female with Anorexia Nervosa.

Anorexia nervosa is a potentially life-threatening eating disorder, characterized by an abnormally low body weight. This case report illustrates a 22-year old female with cardiac arrest due to a refeeding syndrome in a patient with anorexia nervosa. It features the successful use of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a case of severe left ventricular dysfunction resulting in a favorable outcome. Conclusion. We present the first case of a cardiac arrest due to a refeeding syndrome in anorexia nervosa featuring the successful use of an extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation approach as a bridge to full recovery.