Impact of a Modified Institutional Protocol on Outcomes After Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for Refractory Out-Of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of the modification of the authors' institutional protocol on outcomes after extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). DESIGN: An observational analysis. The protocol complied with national recommendations. A further eligibility criterion was added since January 2015: the presence of sustained shockable rhythm at extracorporeal life support (ECLS) implantation. To assess the impact of this change, patients were divided into two groups: (1) from January 2010 to December 2014 (group A) and (2) from January 2015 to December 2019 (group B). The primary endpoint was survival to hospital discharge with good neurologic outcome. Predictors of survival were searched with multivariate analyses. SETTING: University hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients supported with ECPR for refractory OHCA. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: From January 2010 to December 2019, 85 patients had ECLS for OHCA (group A, n = 68, 80%; group B, n = 17, 20%). The mean age was 42.4 years, 78.8% were male. The rate of implantation of ECLS was significantly lower in group B (p = 0.01). Mortality during ECLS support was significantly lower (58.8 v 86.8%; p = 0.008), and the weaning rate was significantly higher (41.2 v 13.2%; p = 0.008) in group B. Survival to discharge with good neurologic outcome was significantly improved (23.5 v 4.4%; p = 0.027) in group B. A sustained shockable rhythm was the only independent predictor of survival to hospital discharge with good neurologic outcome. CONCLUSIONS: The modification of the authors' institutional protocol throughout the further criterion of sustained shockable rhythm yielded a favorable impact on outcomes after ECPR for OHCA.

Efficacy and safety of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for high-risk pulmonary embolism: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

High-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) requires hemodynamic and respiratory support along with reperfusion strategies. Recently updated European guidelines assign a low class of recommendation to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for high-risk PE. This systematic review assessed clinical outcomes after ECMO in high-risk PE. We searched electronic databases including PubMed, Embase and Web of Science from January 2000 to April 2020. Efficacy outcomes included in-hospital survival with good neurological outcome and survival at follow-up. Safety outcomes included lower limb ischemia and hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke. Where possible (absence of high heterogeneity), meta-analyses of outcomes were undertaken using a random-effects model. We included 16 uncontrolled case-series (533 participants). In-hospital survival with good neurological outcome ranged between 50% and 95% while overall survival at follow-up ranged from 35% to 95%, both with a major degree of heterogeneity (I2 > 70%). The prevalence of lower limb ischemia was 8% (95% CI 3% to 15%). The prevalence of stroke (either hemorrhagic or ischemic) was 11% (95% CI 3% to 23%), with notable heterogeneity (I² = 63.35%). Based on currently available literature, it is not possible to draw definite conclusions on the usefulness of ECMO for high-risk PE. Prospective, multicenter, large-scale studies or nationwide registries are needed to best define the role of ECMO for high-risk PE. PROSPERO registration ID: CRD42019136282.

Extracorporeal life support in the multidisciplinary management of cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the results of extracorporeal life support (ECLS) for cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in a single-center experience. BACKGROUND: Cardiogenic shock is still a leading cause of death for AMI. Conventional management carries mortality rates exceeding 50%. ECLS may be considered as a bridge to decision in the setting of AMI complicated by cardiogenic shock not responsive to standard management. METHODS: We performed an observational analysis of our local database. The primary end-point was survival to hospital discharge. All variables were compared between survivors and nonsurvivors. RESULTS: Between January 2007 and December 2017, 56 patients were supported for cardiogenic shock complicating AMI. The mean age was 56.7 years and 89.3% were males. Baseline characteristics were comparable between both groups. Of the 50 primary percutaneous coronary interventions that were attempted, 44 (88.0%) were successful. Twenty-three (41.1%) patients died during ECLS support. The complications' rate during ECLS support was comparable between both groups. Twenty-eight (50%) patients were successfully weaned from ECLS after a mean support of 8.7 days. Eight (14.3%) patients eventually died after weaning before hospital discharge. Five (8.9%) patients could not be weaned from ECLS and were switched to a long-term mechanical circulatory support. Overall survival to hospital discharge was 41.1% (n = 23). Eighteen (32.1%) patients were alive after a mean follow-up of 38.0 ± 29.9 (range, 4.2-95.4) months. CONCLUSIONS: ECLS should be considered as a therapeutic solution in the management of AMI-related cardiogenic shock with a satisfactory short- and long-term survival.

Outcomes after extracorporeal life support for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) may be necessary in refractory postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock (PCS) unresponsive to optimal medical treatment. We sought to analyze the results and temporal outcomes of ECLS for PCS. METHODS: We performed an observational analysis of our prospective database. In order to analyze the temporal trends of ECLS for PCS, patients were divided into two groups according to the period of ECLS implantation: Group I from January 2007-June 2012, Group II from July 2012-December 2017. The primary endpoint was survival to hospital discharge. RESULTS: During the study period, 90 patients required ECLS for PCS (Group I n = 29, 32%; Group II n = 61, 68%). Mean age was 57.5 ± 15.0 years with 62% of males. Preoperative characteristics were comparable over the two periods. A high proportion of patients were in NYHA class III/IV (61%) or cardiogenic shock (22%). Group II showed a significantly higher proportion of miscellaneous cardiac surgery operations (23 vs 3%, P = 0.031). Crossclamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times were significantly shorter in Group II (85.4 vs 114.2 min, P = 0.023 and 135.2 vs 184.2 min, P = 0.022, respectively). The complication rate during ECLS support was comparable between both groups. Successful weaning from ECLS could be accomplished in 45 (50%) patients (Group I = 52% vs Group II = 49%, P = 0.822) after a mean support of 6.4 days. Thirty-five (39%) patients survived to hospital discharge (Group I = 41% vs Group II = 38%, P = 0.738). CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes following ECLS remained stable over an 11-year period. ECLS may be limited in patients with severe preoperative cardiac dysfunction. Our data suggest that these patients may be better served with less invasive, percutaneous procedures.

Extracorporeal Life Support for Refractory Cardiac Arrest: A 10-Year Comparative Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation of cardiac arrest has poor outcomes. Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) could represent a salvage option. This study aimed to analyze the outcomes of ECLS used for refractory cardiac arrest. METHODS: In this observational analysis, patients were divided into an in-hospital cardiac arrest group (IHCA) and an out-of-hospital (OHCA) cardiac arrest group. The primary end point was survival to hospital discharge with good neurologic outcome. Both groups were compared after propensity score matching. Risk factors were searched with multivariate analyses. RESULTS: From January 2007 to December 2016, study investigators performed 131 ECLS procedures (IHCA, n = 45, 34.4%; OHCA, n = 86, 65.6%). The mean age of patients was 43.2 years, and 71.8% were male. Baseline characteristics were comparable between both groups except mean no-flow duration (0.2 minutes vs 2.5 minutes; p < 0.001) and low-flow duration (46.9 minutes vs 85.3 minutes; p < 0.001), which were significantly shorter in the IHCA group. A total of 103 (82.4%) patients died during ECLS (IHCA, 79.1% vs OHCA, 84.1%; p = 0.479). The complication rate during ECLS was comparable between both groups. Twenty (16%) patients were successfully weaned from ECLS (IHCA, 18.6% vs OHCA, 14.6%; p = 0.565) after a mean support period of 6.7 days. Survival to hospital discharge with good neurologic outcome was not different between the two matched groups (odds ratioOHCA vs IHCA 1.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.023 to 74.902; p = 0.9). Presence of shockable rhythm was associated with a better outcome (odds ratioshockable vs nonshockable 6.674; 95% confidence interval, 1.078 to 41.336; p = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: Patients in the IHCA and OHCA groups experienced the same survival with good neurologic outcome after ECLS support. A better selection of patients with IHCA is mandatory to avoid futile support.

Extracorporeal life support for primary graft dysfunction after heart transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: Survival after heart transplantation is steadily improving but primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is still a leading cause of death. Medical management seems useful in mild or moderate PGD, whereas extracorporeal life support (ECLS) could be suggested for severe PGD refractory to conventional treatment. Our aim is to present the results of ECLS for PGD after heart transplantation at a single-centre experience. METHODS: We performed an observational analysis of our local database. According to the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation classification, patients were divided into a left and biventricular failure (PGD-LV) or isolated right ventricular failure (PGD-RV) group. The primary end point was survival to hospital discharge. RESULTS: Between January 2010 and December 2016, 38 patients presented with PGD (PGD-LV n = 22, 58%; PGD-RV n = 16, 42%) requiring ECLS support. The mean age was 50.8 ± 12.4 years and 79% were males. Baseline characteristics were comparable between the 2 groups. PGD-LV patients displayed a significantly higher mortality rate on ECLS support as opposed to PGD-RV patients (46% vs 13%, P = 0.033). The rate of complications during ECLS support was comparable between the 2 groups. Twenty-three (61%) patients were successfully weaned from ECLS (PGD-LV = 50% vs PGD-RV = 75%, P = 0.111) after a mean support of 9.0 ± 6.4 days. Seventeen (45%) patients survived to hospital discharge (PGD-LV = 41% vs PGD-RV = 50%, P = 0.410). CONCLUSIONS: In case of severe PGD with various manifestations of ventricular failure refractory to conventional treatment, ECLS can be considered as a feasible option with satisfactory survival in this critically ill population.

Adding sufentanil to ropivacaine in continuous thoracic paravertebral block fails to improve analgesia after video-assisted thoracic surgery: A randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The benefit of adding opioid to a local anaesthetic for continuous thoracic paravertebral analgesia after video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is unclear. OBJECTIVES: To analyse the analgesic efficacy of ropivacaine and sufentanil in combination compared with ropivacaine alone after VATS. DESIGN: A randomised, double-blinded, single-centre clinical trial. SETTING: A tertiary university hospital between March 2010 and April 2014. PATIENTS: Ninety patients were recruited, two were not included leaving 88 randomised into two groups. Eighteen patients were excluded from analysis and 70 completed the study. INTERVENTION: To receive thoracic paravertebral analgesia with either 2 mg ml ropivacaine and 0.25 µg ml sufentanil (ropivacaine + sufentanil group) or 2 mg ml ropivacaine alone (ropivacaine group) for 48 h postoperatively. Infusion rate was set at 0.15 ml kg h in both groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary endpoint was the mean total amount of self-administered morphine by the patients in each group at 48 h postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean ± SD total amount of self-administered morphine was not significantly different between groups (53.1 ±â€Š27.2 mg in the ropivacaine + sufentanil group vs. 58.8 ±â€Š34.3 mg in the ropivacaine group; P = 0.72). No significant differences were found between the two groups in either pain scores at rest or during movement, in opioid-related adverse reactions, in patient satisfaction or length of hospital stay. CONCLUSION: Adding 0.25 µg ml sufentanil to 2 mg ml ropivacaine in continuous thoracic paravertebral analgesia for VATS did not reduce morphine consumption or pain scores when compared with ropivacaine alone. We cannot recommend its use for routine clinical practice. Further studies analysing different concentrations and infusion rates of sufentanil are needed before a lack of efficacy can be confirmed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical trial registrations: EudraCT: 2009-014832-38. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT 01082744.

High rate of arterial complications in patients supported with extracorporeal life support for drug intoxication-induced refractory cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac failure is still a leading cause of death in drug intoxication. Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) could be used as a rescue therapeutic option in patients developing refractory cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest. The aim of this report is to present our results of ECLS in the setting of poisoning from cardiotoxic drugs. METHODS: We included in this analysis consecutive patients who received an ECLS for refractory cardiogenic shock or in-hospital cardiac arrest due to drug intoxication. The primary endpoint of our study was survival to hospital discharge with good neurological recovery after ECLS support. RESULTS: Between January 2010 and December 2015, we performed 12 ECLS. Mean age was 44.2±17.8 years and there was a predominance of females (66.7%). Drug intoxication was mainly due to beta-blockers and/or calcium channel inhibitors (83.3%) and 5 (41.7%) patients had multiple drugs overdose. Weaning rate and survival to hospital discharge with good neurological recovery were 75% (9 patients). Among patients weaned from ECLS, mean duration of support was 2.4±1.1 days. Three (25%) patients underwent ECLS implantation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, 2 (66.6%) of them died while on mechanical circulatory support (MCS). Six (50%) patients developed lower limb ischemia. Each patient was managed with ECLS decannulation: 2 (16.7%) patients underwent a concomitant iliofemoral thrombectomy, 3 (25%) needed further fasciotomy and the remaining patient (8.3%) required an amputation. CONCLUSIONS: Refractory cardiogenic shock due to drug intoxication is still one of the best indications for ECLS owing to the satisfactory survival with good neurological outcome in such a critically ill population. Further data are however necessary in order to best understand the possible relation between drug intoxication and lower limb ischemia, which was quite superior to the reported rates.

Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for cardiogenic shock due to myocarditis in adult patients.

Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the heart muscle with established histological, immunological and immunohistochemical diagnostic criteria. Different triggers could be advocated as possible etiologies of myocarditis such as viral and non-viral infections, medications, systemic autoimmune diseases and toxic reactions. The spectrum of clinical presentations of myocarditis is broad and varies from subclinical asymptomatic courses to refractory cardiogenic shock. The prognosis of patients with myocarditis depends mainly on the severity of clinical presentation. In particular, myocarditis patients developing cardiogenic shock refractory to optimal maximal medical treatment may benefit from the use of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) as a temporary mechanical circulatory support (MCS). The aim of the present report is to offer a review of the most important articles of the literature showing the results of VA-ECMO in the specific setting of cardiogenic shock due to myocarditis in adult patients.

Long-term complications after surgical correction of Laubry-Pezzi syndrome.

Laubry-Pezzi syndrome is a rare congenital heart disease (CHD) combining a ventricular septal defect (VSD) and an aortic regurgitation (AR) due to a prolapse of the right coronary or, less frequently, non-coronary cusp. In the literature there are very few reports of long-term complications after surgical correction of this syndrome. We present the late occurrence of an aortic root pseudoaneurysm and a residual VSD in a patient with Laubry-Pezzi syndrome operated during childhood.

Extracorporeal life support for refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: Should we still fight for? A single-centre, 5-year experience.

BACKGROUND: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation displays low survival rate after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) could be suggested as a rescue therapeutic option in refractory OHCA. The aim of this report is to analyze our experience of ECLS implantation for refractory OHCA. METHODS: We performed a retrospective observational analysis of our prospectively collected database. Patients were divided into a shockable rhythm (SH-R) and a non-shockable rhythm (NSH-R) group according to cardiac rhythm at ECLS implantation. The primary endpoint was survival to hospital discharge with good neurological recovery. RESULTS: From January 2010 to December 2014 we used ECLS in 68 patients (SH-R, n=19, 27.9% vs. NSH-R, n=49, 72.1%) for refractory OHCA. The clinical profile before ECLS implantation was comparable between the groups. Eight (11.7%) patients were successfully weaned from ECLS (SH-R=31.5% vs. NSH-R=4.0%, p=0.01) after a mean period of support of 2.1 days (SH-R=4.1 days vs. NSH-R=1.4 days, p=0.01). Six (8.8%) patients survived to discharge (SH-R=31.5% vs. NSH-R=0%, p=0.00). In the SH-R group 50% of the survivors were discharged without neurological complications. CONCLUSIONS: ECLS for refractory OHCA should be limited in consideration of its poor, especially neurological, outcome. Non-shockable rhythms could be considered as a formal contraindication allowing a concentration of our efforts on the shockable rhythms, where the chances of success are substantial.

Tissue hemoglobin monitoring is unable to follow variations of arterial hemoglobin during transitions from pulsatile to constant flow in cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To test whether the variations of tissue hemoglobin concentration (∆THb) measured by the FORE-SIGHT(TM) cerebral oximeter can accurately detect changes in arterial hemoglobin concentration (∆AHb) before, during, and after cardiopulmonary bypass. DESIGN: A prospective clinical study. SETTING: Cardiac surgery operating room. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty patients scheduled for cardiac surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Tissue hemoglobin concentration (THb) was recorded continuously via 2 sensors applied on the forehead and connected to the cerebral oximeter. Arterial hemoglobin concentration (AHb) was measured in a hematology analyzer laboratory. Hemodynamic and respiratory parameters as well as epidemiologic data also were noted. Data were collected at 3 perioperative times: After induction of anesthesia, 10 minutes after cardioplegia, and at the end of the surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Ninety pairs of data were collected. The coefficient of linear regression between ∆THb and ∆AHb was 0.4 (p<0.001). After exclusion of Hb variations<5%, the trending ability of THb to predict ∆AHb was 87%. However, the Bland and Altman plot graph for THb and AHb showed major limits of agreement (2.4 times the standard deviation). Central venous pressure and carbon dioxide tension were linked independently and positively with THb (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Continuous monitoring of THb cannot accurately track variations of AHb during the transition from pulsatile to continuous flow and vice versa in cardiac surgery. Local hemodynamic factors such as PaCO2 and vasodilation significantly impact THb. In this setting, THb monitoring should not be used to guide eventual blood transfusion management.

Ability of the third-generation FloTrac/Vigileo software to track changes in cardiac output in cardiac surgery patients: a polar plot approach.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ability of the third-generation (3.01) of FloTrac/Vigileo monitor (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA) to follow variations in cardiac output (∆CO) using the new polar plot approach. DESIGN: Prospective interventional study. SETTING: Single hospital university study. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-five patients referred for cardiac surgery. INTERVENTIONS: CO was measured simultaneously by 3 to 5 bolus thermodilution (COtd measurements), using a pulmonary artery catheter and by arterial pulse contour analysis, using the FloTrac/Vigileo (COvi). Data were collected at eight time points: before incision, after sternotomy, before and after protamine sulfate infusion, at the start of sternal closure, at the end of surgery, on arrival to intensive care unit, and after a standardized volume expansion with 500 mL of hetastarch 6%. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: One-hundred thirty-five pairs of CO data were collected; the mean bias of all CO measurements corrected for repeated measures was 0.2 L/min with limits of agreements of -3.3 L/min and +2.9 L/min. The percentage error was 66.5%. The polar plot analysis included 71 significant ∆CO and showed a mean polar angle of -3.4 degrees with 95% polar percentage error equivalent limits of -61 to 55; 69% of analysed data points fell within the 30-degree limits and provided a correct polar concordance rate. CONCLUSIONS: Third-generation FloTrac/Vigileo software still lacks the accuracy to reliably detect changes in cardiac output (∆CO) in cardiac surgery. Improvements to FloTrac/Vigileo CO algorithm and software still are needed in this particular setting.

[Spontaneous rupture of the oesophagus. Two cases recently seen in an intensive care unit]. / Ruptures spontanées de l'oesophage. Deux observations récentes dans un service d'urgences

INTRODUCTION: Spontaneous rupture of the oesophagus, also called Boerhaave's syndrome, is rare. Since its clinical manifestations are non specific, it must be evoked when confronted the sudden onset of chest or upper abdominal pain. OBSERVATIONS: Two patients were admitted to the emergency department with severe chest pain associated with vomiting. The CT scan obtained rapidly, revealed the perforation of the oesophagus. Despite early surgical treatment, only one patient survived, the second died of infectious complications. COMMENTS: Boerhaave's syndrome is fatal unless promptly recognized and adequately treated. A CT scan of the chest is the procedure of choice demonstrating the rupture.