State of the art - Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a bridge to thoracic transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has revolutionized the treatment of refractory cardiac and respiratory failure, and its use continues to increase, particularly in adults. However, ECMO-related morbidity and mortality remain high. MAIN TEXT: In this review, we investigate and expand upon the current state of the art in thoracic transplant and extracorporeal life support (ELS). In particular, we examine recent increase in incidence of heart transplant in patients supported by ECMO; the potential changes in patient care and selection for transplant in the years prior to updated United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) organ allocation guidelines versus those in the years following, particularly where these guidelines pertain to ECMO; and the newly revived practice of heart-lung block transplants (HLT) and the prevalence and utility of ECMO support in patients listed for HLT. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight encouraging outcomes in patients bridged to transplant with ECMO, considerable changes in treatment surrounding the updated UNOS guidelines, and complex, diverse outcomes among different centers in their care for increasingly ill patients listed for thoracic transplant.

Robotic Redo Mitral Valve Replacement and Atrioventricular Groove Pseudoaneurysm Repair.

We report the use of robot-assisted right thoracotomy in the management of a patient who presented with acute-on-chronic congestive heart failure, associated with a contained atrioventricular dissection and 2 prior mitral valve replacements. Our patient had evidence of a contained rupture, as represented by preoperative cross-sectional imaging. The anatomic sequela from this was a ventricular pseudoaneurysm, which was likely survivable due to adhesions from prior operations buttressing the margins of the defect. Expansion of the pseudoaneurysm likely contributed to the dehiscence of the prosthesis. Our case illustrates an unprecedented resolution of a serious complication, managed effectively and efficiently by a robot-assisted procedure. With a successful outcome of totally endoscopic and robot-assisted repair, we demonstrate the versatility of minimally invasive techniques in addressing complicated anatomy as well as a surgical field scarred by multiple prior surgeries.