Avaliação ecocardiográfica do paciente com choque circulatório: uma abordagem contemporânea / Echocardiographic evaluation of a patient in circulatory shock: a contemporary approach

O choque circulatório é caracterizado por um estado de ineficiência da oferta de oxigênio tecidual e disfunção múltipla de órgãos. Necessita de diagnóstico e terapias rápidas e assertivas para redução de sua alta letalidade. O ecocardiograma já se estabeleceu como método fundamental no manejo do paciente com choque circulatório. Auxilia de forma crucial no diagnóstico etiológico, prognóstico, monitorização hemodinâmica e estimativa volêmica desses pacientes, tendo como potenciais vantagens a portabilidade, ausência de contraste ou radiação, baixo custo e avaliação em tempo real e de forma seriada. Em ambiente de UTI, demonstra alta correlação com formas invasivas (cateter de artéria pulmonar) e minimamente invasivas (termodiluição transpulmonar) de monitorização hemodinâmica. Atualmente, outras técnicas, como ultrassom pulmonar e VExUS score, têm se agregado à avaliação ecocardiográfica, tornando o método mais abrangente e acurado. Essas técnicas acrescentam dados relevantes na estimativa da volemia do paciente crítico, influenciando na decisão probabilística de fluidoresponsividade e agregando informações no raciocínio diagnóstico das causas do choque, otimizando o prognóstico desses pacientes. O point of care ultrasound (POCUS) tem como objetivo tornar mais acessível, ao médico não especialista em radiologia, habilidades para se obter informações a beira leito, por meio do ultrassom, que o ajudem na tomada de decisões. Esse artigo aborda as diversas aplicabilidades do ecocardiograma em pacientes com choque circulatório, incluindo avaliação prognóstica e diagnóstico etiológico por meio dos parâmetros encontrados nas principais causas de choque, além da monitorização hemodinâmica, avaliação de fluido-responsividade e utilização prática do ultrassom pulmonar.(AU)

Circulatory shock is characterized by a state of inefficient tissue oxygen supply and multiple organ dysfunction. Patients with circulatory shock require fast and assertive diagnosis and therapies to reduce its high lethality. Echocardiography has already been established as a fundamental method in managing patients with circulatory shock. It provides crucial assistance in etiological diagnosis, prognosis, hemodynamic monitoring, and volume estimation in these patients; its potential advantages include portability, absence of contrast or radiation, low cost, and real-time serial assessment. In the intensive care unit setting, it demonstrates a high correlation with invasive (pulmonary artery catheter) and minimally invasive (transpulmonary thermodilution) forms of hemodynamic monitoring. Currently, other techniques, such as pulmonary ultrasound and VExUS score, have been added to echocardiographic assessment, making the method more comprehensive and accurate. These techniques add relevant data to blood volume estimation in critical patients, influencing the probabilistic decision of fluid responsiveness and providing additional information in the diagnostic reasoning of the causes of shock, thus optimizing these patients' prognosis. Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) aims to make abilities to obtain information at the bedside more accessible to physicians who are not specialists in radiology, by means of ultrasound, which assists them in decision-making. This article addresses the diverse applications of echocardiography in patients with circulatory shock, including prognostic evaluation and etiological diagnosis by means of the parameters found in the main causes of shock, in addition to hemodynamic monitoring, evaluation of fluid responsiveness, and practical use of pulmonary ultrasound.(AU)

Acute inferior myocardial infarction combined with papillary muscle rupture: A case report / 中南大学学报(医学版)

The incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is increasing. Acute papillary muscle rupture is one of the serious and rare mechanical complications of AMI, which occurs mostly in inferior and posterior myocardial infarction. A patient with acute inferior myocardial infarction developed pulmonary edema and refractory shock, followed by cardiac arrest. After cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), revascularization of criminal vessels was carried out by emergency percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) under the support of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) and extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Although the patient was given a chance for surgery, his family gave up treatment due to unsuccessful brain resuscitation. It reminds that mechanical complications such as acute papillary muscle rupture, valvular dysfunction and rupture of the heart should be highly suspected when cardiogenic pulmonary edema and cardiogenic shock are difficult to correct in acute inferior myocardial infarction. Echocardiogram and surgery should be put forward when revascularization of criminal vessels is available.

Causes de décès en milieu de réanimation polyvalente au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Analakininina, Madagascar / Causes of death in the intensive care unit Of the Analakininina teaching hospital, Madagascar

Background: Intensive Care Unit unit is taking care the serious patients whose vital prognosis is engaged. Death remains the main fear of those patients who are admitted to intensive care. The main objective of our study was to identify the causes of death in the intensive care unit at the Analakininina teaching hospital, Toamasina, madagascar. Methods: This was a descriptive, retrospective study carried out from January 1, 2019 to June 30, 2019. Results: We had identified 110 cases of death with a high male prevalence and a sex ratio of 1.75. The average age was 48.73 +/- 17.60 years. The main reason for admission was disturbance of consciousness in 63.64% of cases with 24.45% of severe coma. Regarding the causes of death, a total of 25 diagnosis were made. The shock states represented 30% of the causes of death of which 69% were septic, 18% cardiogenic and 15.15% hypovolemic. Next, stroke accounted for 28%, cerebral malaria 7.27% and diabetic coma accounted for 5.45% of causes of death. The average length of hospital stay was 1.91 days. Conclusion: Our study provides a better understanding of the causes of death of patients in the intensive care unit. These data can point towards initiatives to improve the quality of care

Dispositivos de asistencia ventricular en el shock cardiogénico posinfarto: importancia del soporte hemodinámico: reporte de caso / Ventricular assist devices in post-infarction cardiogenic shock: importance of hemodynamic support: case report / Dispositivos de assistência ventricular no choque cardiogênico pós-infarto: importância do suporte hemodinâmico: relato de caso

El shock cardiogénico posinfarto caracterizado por un estado de insuficiencia circulatoria sistémica requiere de un tratamiento precoz en vistas a restablecer la estabilidad hemodinámica y la función ventricular. Este consta de la reperfusión coronaria mediante revascularización miocárdica; en algunos casos es necesaria la utilización de dispositivos de asistencia ventricular. El ECMO venoarterial es un sistema de circulación extracorpórea que permite un soporte biventricular oxigenando la sangre y reintroduciéndola mediante un flujo continuo hacia la circulación arterial sistémica. El uso de dicho dispositivo en pacientes con shock cardiogénico ha mostrado una mejoría significativa de la sobrevida a 30 días en comparación con el uso del balón de contrapulsación intraaórtico. No obstante, sus potenciales complicaciones, como dificultad en el vaciamiento ventricular izquierdo, síndrome de Arlequín, sangrados e infecciones, hacen fundamental la formación y el trabajo en equipo del heart team. Un porcentaje no menor de estos pacientes presentarán una severa disfunción ventricular permanente, por lo que podrían ser candidatos a dispositivos de asistencia ventricular izquierda de larga duración tipo Heartmate III como puente al trasplante cardíaco, el cual ha mostrado resultados satisfactorios con una excelente sobrevida a mediano plazo.

Post-infarction cardiogenic shock characterized by a state of systemic circulatory failure requires early treatment in order to restore hemodynamic stability and ventricular function. This consists of coronary reperfusion through myocardial revascularization, requiring in some cases the use of ventricular assist devices. Veno-arterial ECMO is an extracorporeal circulation system that allows biventricular support by oxygenating the blood and reintroducing it through a continuous flow towards the systemic arterial circulation. The use of this device in patients with cardiogenic shock has shown a significant improvement in survival at 30 days compared to the use of intra-aortic balloon pump. However, its potential complications, such as difficulty in left ventricular emptying, Harlequin syndrome, bleeding and infections, make the training and teamwork of the heart team essential. A great percentage of these patients will present a severe permanent ventricular dysfunction, so they could be candidates for long-term mechanical circulatory support devices like Heartmate III as a bridge to transplant or myocardial recovery, or destination therapy, which has shown satisfactory results with excellent medium-term survival.

O choque cardiogênico pós-infarto caracterizado por um estado de insuficiência circulatória sistêmica requer tratamento precoce para restabelecer a estabilidade hemodinâmica e a função ventricular. Esta consiste na reperfusão coronariana por meio de revascularização miocárdica, necessitando, em alguns casos, do uso de dispositivos de assistência ventricular. A ECMO venoarterial é um sistema de circulação extracorpórea que permite o suporte biventricular oxigenando o sangue e reintroduzindo-o através de um fluxo contínuo para a circulação arterial sistêmica. O uso desse dispositivo em pacientes com choque cardiogênico mostrou melhora significativa na sobrevida em 30 dias em relação ao uso de contrapulsação com balão intra-aórtico. No entanto, suas potenciais complicações, como dificuldade de esvaziamento ventricular esquerdo, síndrome de Harlequin, sangramentos e infecções, tornam imprescindível o treinamento e o trabalho em equipe do time do coração. Não uma pequena porcentagem desses pacientes apresentará uma condição ventricular permanente grave, podendo ser candidatos a dispositivos de assistência ventricular esquerda de longa duração do tipo Heartmate III como ponte para o transplante cardíaco, que tem demonstrado resultados satisfatórios com excelente sobrevida em médio prazo.

Guía de práctica clínica para el manejo inicial del infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación persistente del segmento ST. Guía en versión extensa / Clinical practice guideline for the initial management of persistent ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction. Guide in extensive version

La presente publicación en versión extensa, describe las recomendaciones para el manejo infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación persistente del segmento ST (IMCEST) dentro de las primeras 12 horas de inicio de los síntomas, con el fin de contribuir a reducir la mortalidad, mejorar la calidad de vida, y reducir las complicaciones de los pacientes con esta condición, la población a la cual se aplicará la GPC:, o sea los pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación persistente del segmento ST (IMCEST) dentro de las primeras 12 horas de inicio de los síntoma. El infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación persistente del segmento ST (IMCEST) es una emergencia médica, producto de la oclusión de las arterias coronarias, que conllevan a la isquemia miocárdica transmural, y que de persistir lleva a una lesión miocárdica o necrosis. Se ha reportado una mortalidad de la enfermedad del 23 % antes de llegar al hospital, 13% durante el ingreso hospitalario, y de 10% posterior al alta. Lo cual, inclusive, puede aumentar en ausencia de tratamiento entre un 5 a 10% (2). En el caso de Perú, se ha reportado una por IMCEST de aproximadamente 9%, pero con una incidencia de insuficiencia cardíaca posinfarto fue de 28% y de choque cardiogénico de 12% (3). Esta alta tasa de mortalidad y morbilidad hace hincapié en la necesidad de garantizar una evaluación y manejo adecuado de la enfermedad. Por ello, el Seguro Social de Salud (EsSalud) priorizó la realización de la presente guía de práctica clínica (GPC) para establecer lineamientos basados en evidencia para gestionar de la mejor manera los procesos y procedimientos asistenciales de la presente condición

Guía de práctica clínica para el manejo inicial del infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación persistente del segmento ST. Guía en versión corta / Clinical Practice Guideline for the Initial Management of Persistent ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction. Short Guideline

La publicación en versión corta, describe las recomendaciones para el manejo infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación persistente del segmento ST (IMCEST) dentro de las primeras 12 horas de inicio de los síntomas, con el fin de contribuir a reducir la mortalidad, mejorar la calidad de vida, y reducir las complicaciones de los pacientes con esta condición.

Principais complicações cardíacas em idosos infectados pelo SARS-CoV-2: uma revisão sistemática / Principales complicaciones cardíacas en ancianos infectados por SARS-CoV-2: una revisión sistemática / Main cardiac complications in elderly infected by SARS-CoV-2: a systematic review

Objetivo: compreender as principais complicações ocasionadas pelo vírus SARS-CoV-2 no sistema cardíaco do público idoso. Métodos: trata-se de uma revisão sistemática da literatura de abordagem qualitativa e característica descritivo-exploratória realizada no ano de 2020. Resultados: as complicações cardíacas mais prevalentes na população idosa foram miocardite, arritmias, insuficiência cardíaca, infarto agudo, choque cardiogênico, lesão miocárdica aguda e parada cardiorrespiratória. O principal biomarcador cardíaco foi a troponina, apresentando elevação superior ao percentil 99°, evidenciando a necessidade de tratamento em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva. Considerações Finais: o aparecimento desse vírus causou grande prejuízo no campo da saúde, especialmente a população idosa, que apresenta risco elevado de óbito ao contrair essa doença. Destarte, é de extrema importância se ater a mensuração da troponina sérica no público alvo e realizar monitorização longitudinal, utilizando para tal a telecardiologia, uma vez que diminuem as chances de contaminação entre infectado e profissional de saúde

Objective: to understand the main complications of SARS-CoV-2 in the elderly cardiac system. Methods: systematic literature review conducted in 2020. Results: the most prevalent cardiac complications in the elderly population were myocarditis, arrhythmias, heart failure, acute infarction, cardiogenic shock, acute myocardial injury and cardiorespiratory arrest. The main cardiac biomarker was troponin, showing an elevation above the 99th percentile, evidencing the need for treatment in the Intensive Care Unit. Final Considerations: the appearance of this virus has caused great damage in the health field, especially the elderly population, who is at high risk of death when contracting this disease. Therefore, it is important to stick to the measurement of serum troponin in the target audience and perform longitudinal monitoring, using telecardiology for this purpose, since they reduce the chances of contamination between infected and health professionals

Objetivo: comprender las principales complicaciones del SARS-CoV-2 en el sistema cardíaco anciano. Métodos: revisión sistemática de la literatura realizada en 2020. Resultados: las complicaciones cardíacas más prevalentes en la población anciana fueron miocarditis, arritmias, insuficiencia cardíaca, infarto agudo, shock cardiogénico, lesión miocárdica aguda y parada cardiorrespiratoria. El principal biomarcador cardíaco fue la troponina, mostrando una elevación por encima del percentil 99, evidenciando la necesidad de tratamiento en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos. Consideraciones finales: la aparición de este virus ha provocado un gran daño en el campo de la salud, especialmente en la población anciana, que se encuentra en alto riesgo de muerte al contraer esta enfermedad. Por tanto, es importante ceñirse a la medición de troponina sérica en el público objetivo y realizar un seguimiento longitudinal, utilizando para ello la telecardiología, ya que reducen las posibilidades de contaminación entre los infectados y los profesionales sanitarios

Rotura del septum interventricular post infarto agudo al miocardio: una complicación potencialmente letal Revisión de la literatura a propósito de un caso clínico / Ventricular septal rupture after acute myocardial infarction: a potentially lethal complication Case report and literature review

Rupture of the ventricular septum with the appearance of an interventricular communication is an infrequent and life-threatening mechanical complication after acute myocardial infarction. The advent of coronary reperfusion therapies has reduced the incidence of this complication, but mortality remains high. The clinical presentation varies from mild compromise with exertional dyspnea to severe compromise with cardiogenic shock. In this pathology, early diagnosis is fundamental and surgical repair is the treatment of choice. In this article we report an interesting clinical case about a 77-year-old woman who was belatedly referred to our hospital and diagnosed with postinfarction rupture of the ventricular septum with an unfortunately fatal evolution. Relevance of this case lies in its atypical clinical presentation which led to a delay in diagnosis and a missed opportunity for early reperfusion therapy. An updated literature review about rupture of the ventricular septum complicating acute myocardial infarction was carried out.

Estratégias de Revascularização em Doentes com Infarto Agudo do Miocárdio em Choque Cardiogênico - Resultados do Registo Português de Síndromes Coronárias Agudas / Revascularization Strategies in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiogenic Shock: Results from the Portuguese Registry on Acute Coronary Syndromes

Resumo Fundamento: Em doentes com infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM), choque cardiogênico (CC) e doença multivaso (DMV) persistem dúvidas sobre a intervenção nas artérias não responsáveis. Objetivos: 1) caracterizar a amostra de doentes com IAM, CC e DMV incluídos no Registo Nacional Português de Síndromes Coronárias Agudas (RNSCA); 2) comparar os eventos associados a diferentes estratégias de revascularização; e 3) identificar preditores de mortalidade intra-hospitalar nesta amostra. Métodos: Estudo observacional retrospetivo de doentes com IAM, CC e DMV incluídos no RNSCA entre 2010 e 2018. Compararam-se duas estratégias de revascularização: completa durante o procedimento índice (grupo 1); e completa diferida ou incompleta durante o internamento (grupo 2-3). O endpoint primário foi a ocorrência de reinfarto ou morte intra-hospitalar. A significância estatística foi definida por um valor p < 0,05. Resultados: Identificaram-se 127 doentes com IAM, CC e DMV (18,1% no grupo 1 e 81,9% no grupo 2-3), com idade média de 70 ± 12 anos e 92,9% com IAM com supradesnivelamento do segmento ST. O endpoint primário ocorreu em 47,8% dos doentes do grupo 1 e em 37,5% do grupo 2-3 (p = 0,359). As taxas de mortalidade intra-hospitalar, reinfarto, acidente vascular cerebral e hemorragia major foram também semelhantes nos dois grupos. Os preditores de mortalidade intra-hospitalar nesta amostra foram a presença na admissão de disfunção ventricular esquerda (OR 16,8), bloqueio completo de ramo direito (OR 7,6) e anemia (OR 5,2), (p ≤ 0,02). Conclusões: Entre os doentes com IAM, CC e DMV, incluídos no RNSCA, não se verificou diferença significativa entre revascularização completa no evento índex e completa diferida ou incompleta durante o internamento, relativamente à ocorrência de morte intra-hospitalar ou reinfarto. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021; 116(5):867-876)

Abstract Background: In patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI), cardiogenic shock (CS), and multivessel disease (MVD) questions remain unanswered when it comes to intervention on non-culprit arteries. Objective: This article aims to 1) characterize patients with MI, CS and MVD included in the Portuguese Registry on Acute Coronary Syndromes (ProACS); 2) compare different revascularization strategies in the sample; 3) identify predictors of in-hospital mortality among these patients. Methods: Observational retrospective study of patients with MI, CS and MVD included in the ProACS between 2010 and 2018. Two revascularization strategies were compared: complete during the index procedure (group 1); and complete or incomplete during the index hospitalization (groups 2-3). The primary endpoint was a composite of in-hospital death or MI. Statistical significance was defined by a p-value <0.05. Results: We identified 127 patients with MI, CS, and MVD (18.1% in group 1, and 81.9% in groups 2-3), with a mean age of 7012 years, and 92.9% of the sample being diagnosed with ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI). The primary endpoint occurred in 47.8% of the patients in group 1 and 37.5% in group 2-3 (p = 0.359). The rates of in-hospital death, recurrent MI, stroke, and major bleeding were also similar. The predictors of in-hospital death in this sample were the presence of left ventricle systolic dysfunction on admission (OR 16.8), right bundle branch block (OR 7.6), and anemia (OR 5.2) (p ≤ 0.02 for both). Conclusions: Among patients with MI, CS, and MVD included in the ProACS, there was no significant difference between complete and incomplete revascularization during the index hospitalization regarding the occurrence of in-hospital death or MI. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2021; 116(5):867-876)

Shock cardiogénico en infarto agudo de miocardio y soporte circulatorio puente al trasplante / Ischemic cardiogenic shock and short-term mechanical circulatory support as bridge to Transplantation

Resumen El shock cardiogénico (SC) presenta una elevada mortalidad y puede requerir de terapéuticas avanzadas como la asistencia circulatoria mecánica (ACM) y el trasplante cardíaco (TC). Se analizaron en forma retrospectiva, en un único centro, aquellos pacientes que presentaron un infarto agudo de miocardio (IAM), SC y requirieron ACM puente al TC. Entre enero 1997 y junio 2020, 524 pacientes recibieron un TC, 203 por cardiopatía isquémica, 103 en lista de emergencia. Se incluyeron once pacientes con los criterios mencionados (edad media 53 ± 11 años; hombres 73%). Se realizaron 5 angioplastias primarias y 2 cirugías de revascularización miocárdica de urgencia. Cuatro pacientes presentaban anatomía coronaria no pasible de revascularización. Todos recibieron tratamiento inotrópico y vasopresor y requirieron soporte con balón de contrapulsación intra aórtico (BCIA). Dos requirieron el implante de bomba centrífuga univentricular izquierda (BioMedicus®, Medtronic) y 2 de oxigenador de membrana extracorpóreo veno-arterial (ECMO-VA) periférico (Maquet®, Getinge Group). La mediana entre IAM y TC fue 15 días (rango 7-21) y la edad de los donantes 28 ± 11 años. Todos presentaron un IAM extenso (monto necrótico 35 ± 5%) con signos histopatológicos de necrosis transmural e injuria de reperfusión. La mediana de seguimiento fue 9 años (rango 1-15). Ninguno falleció en la internación ni durante el primer año post trasplante. La supervivencia a los 5 y 10 años fue 73% y 55%. El TC en situación de emergencia ha demostrado ser, en nuestro medio, la mejor opción en aquellos pacientes con IAM y SC refractario a la terapia convencional.

Abstract Cardiogenic shock (CS) has a high mortality rate and often requires advanced therapies such as mechanical circulatory support (MCS) and heart transplantation (HT). Those patients who presented an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with CS and required support through MCS as bridge to HT were retrospectively analyzed in a single Center. Between January 1997 and June 2020, 524 patients received HT, 203 for ischemic-cardiomyopathy, 103 were in emergency waiting list. Eleven patients met the inclusion criteria (mean age 53 ± 11 years old; men 73%). Five primary angioplasties and 2 emergency myocardial revasculariza tion surgeries were performed. Four patients had coronary anatomy not subject to revascularization. All received inotropic and vasopressor treatment and required intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP). Subsequently, two required support with a left univentricular centrifugal pump (BioMedicus®, Medtronic) and two with peripheral veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenator (VA-ECMO) (Maquet®, Getinge Group). The median between AMI and HT was 15 days (range 7-21) and the mean age of the donors 28 ± 11 years. All had extensive AMI (necrotic amount 35 ± 5%) with histopathological signs of transmural necrosis and reperfusion injury. The median follow-up was 9 years (range 1-15). None died in hospitalization or during the first year after transplantation. Survival at 5 and 10 years was 73% and 55%. Emergency HT may be the best option for selected patients with acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock refractory to conventional therapy.

Use of CentriMag for refractory cardiogenic shock in a puerperal woman: case report

ABSTRACT CONTEXT: Heart failure in Brazil is a major public health problem and, even with advances in treatment, it still presents high morbidity and mortality. As a treatment option, mechanical circulatory assist devices (MCADs) have greatly increased in importance over the last decade. CASE REPORT: This report concerns a case of refractory cardiogenic shock due to acute myocarditis in a 35-year-old puerperal female patient who presented with retrosternal pain, fatigue and dyspnea. At the hospital, she was diagnosed with myocarditis. There was no improvement in perfusion even after receiving dobutamine, intra-aortic balloon passage (IAB) and venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). Therefore, it was decided to implant a MCAD (CentriMag). During hospitalization, recovery from the bi-ventricular dysfunction was achieved. The CentriMag device was removed 10 days after it had been implanted, and the patient was discharged after another 8 days. The myocarditis was proven to be due to the Coxsackie virus. CONCLUSIONS: The decision to implant a MCAD should be individualized, as patient profiles do not always match the indications in the guidelines and protocols. In this study, clinical discussion of the case among the medical and multi-professional teams was essential in order to be able to successfully reverse the patient's severe clinical condition without sequelae, through using a CentriMag implant.

Microbiological Spectrum of Nosocomial ECMO Infections in a Tertiary Care Center

Abstract Introduction: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life-saving treatment in cardiogenic and respiratory shock. It is prone to various complications, infection being among the most frequent. This study aims to define the prevalence and characteristics of infections in ECMO patients in a tertiary care center for cardiac diseases. Methods: All ECMO patients between 2012 and 2016 in a single cardiac center were retrospectively included. Demographic data, ECMO indications, type, site, duration, and infection-related data were recorded. Data were analyzed among all patients and separately between pediatric and adult patient groups. Results: One hundred and twenty-six patients, 66 (53.4%) pediatric and 60 (47.6%) adult, received ECMO within the study period. Mean age was 3.54±4.27 years in the pediatric group and 54.92±15.57 years in the adult group. The main indication for ECMO was postcardiotomy shock (77.8%). Forty-six (36.5%) of all cases developed a culture-proven nosocomial infection with a rate of 49/1000 ECMO days. Infection was associated with > 5 days of ECMO duration and hemodialysis requirement in all patients and lower age in the pediatric group. The most frequent infection site was the lower respiratory tract (14.3%), while the most common isolated organisms were Klebsiella (8.7%) and Streptococcus (4.8%) species. Conclusion: The respiratory tract is the most common site of infection, however, all sites impose a threat to recovery, with longer treatment durations required for patients with culture-proven infections. A better understanding of the infectious spectrum and its effect on the mortality and morbidity is required for more successful treatment of ECMO patients.

Efficacy of combined treatment with mechanical circulation support devices and immunomodulation therapy for patients with fulminant myocarditis / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To summarize the efficacy of combined treatment strategy of mechanical circulation support devices and immunomodulation therapy for patients with fulminant myocarditis. Method: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data and outcomes of 37 fulminant myocarditis patients complicating cardiogenic shock, who were hospitalized from October 2017 to December 2019 in our department. Patients received guideline therapy according to "Chinese expert consensus statement on clinical diagnosis and treatment of fulminant myocarditis in adults"issued by Chinese Society of Cardiology of Chinese Medical Association. Patients were divided into IABP group (n=19), ECMO group (n=5) and IABP+ECMO group (n=13) according to different mechanical circulation support regimen. The treatment effectiveness among various groups were compared. The major endpoint was in-hospital mortality. The duration and outcome of mechanical circulation support were also analyzed. Furthermore, relationships between baseline data, proportion of different treatments (including medicine treatment, temporary pacemaker and continuous renal replacement treatment, immunomodulation therapy) and clinical outcome were analyzed. Results: The age of the 37 patients in the cohort was (37.4±17.0) years, and there were 22 male among them. Immunomodulation therapy included glucocorticoid (methylprednisolone) and intravenous immunoglobin. At admission, blood pressure was (70.21±17.37)mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa),heart rate was(100±30)beat/minutes,there were 10 cases of Ⅲ° atrioventricular block and all received temporary pacemaker implantation, 12 cases of ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation,1 patient received temporary pacemaker implantation due to electronic storm, peak cardiac troponin I level was (18.61±9.55)μg/L, peak B type natriuretic peptide level was 1 670(518,3 410)ng/L,left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was(32.3±10.4)%. Thirty-four out of the 37 patients survived and 3 patients died. Hospital duration was (22.7±8.2)days, LVEF was (50.1±10.5)% at discharge. Lactic acid level was significantly higher in IABP+ECMO group than in IABP group and ECMO group(P<0.001 or =0.005),LVEF was significantly lower in IABP+ECMO group than in IABP group(P=0.004),the proportion of ventilator usage was higher in IABO+ECMO group than in IABP group (P<0.05). Survival rate was similar among the three groups. Conclusion: Comprehensive treatment regimen with combined mechanical circulation support and immunomodulation therapy as the core strategies is effective in the treatment of fulminant myocarditis complicated with cardiogenic shock.

The current status of early use of oral β-blockers in patients with acute coronary syndrome and the association with the in-hospital outcomes / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To analyze the status of early use of oral β-blocker and its relationship with in-hospital outcomes in eligible patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: The study was based on the Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China (CCC)-ACS project. The data of ACS patients that collected during 2014 to 2019 from 230 collaborating hospitals across China were analyzed. Propensity score matching method and Cox multivariate regression analysis were used to analyze the association between early use of oral β-blocker and in-hospital outcomes within 15 days. Results: A total of 38 663 eligible ACS patients were included in this study. The mean age was (57.0±9.0), and 78.8% of the ACS patients (30 470/38 663) were male. The proportion of early use of oral β-blockers was 64.9% (25 112/38 663), but varied substantially, in the 230 hospitals with a range from 0 to 100%. Compared with the patients no early use of oral β-blocker, the patients receiving early oral β-blocker had significantly lower incidence of major cardiovascular adverse events (MACEs) (3.4% (395/11 536) vs. 2.9%(339/11 536), P=0.036)and less occurrences of heart failure (2.7% (316/11 536) vs. 2.1% (248/11 536), P=0.004). Multivariate Cox regression analyses showed the patients receiving early oral β-blocker had 15.5%, 23.1%, and 35.3% lower risks of MACEs, heart failure and cardiogenic shock respectively than the patients no early oral β-blocker. Conclusions: Compared with the patients no early oral β-blocker, the patients receiving early oral β-blocker had lower risks of MACEs events, heart failure and cardiogenic shock. However, the early use of oral β-blocker in ACS patients was generally insufficient with huge differences among different hospitals in China.