Clinical Application of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in the Treatment of Fulminant Myocarditis.

Fulminant myocarditis (FM) is a rare but serious clinical syndrome which can be characterized by the rapid deterioration of cardiac function, with cardiogenic shock (CS) and arrhythmic electrical storms being common presentations, often requiring adjunctive support with mechanical circulatory devices. With the development of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices, there are now more and more studies investigating the application of MCS in FM patients, and the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to treat FM has shown good survival rates. This review elucidates the treatment of FM, and the application and clinical outcomes associated with ECMO intervention.

Magnetically Detachable Pipe Joints: A Possible Ideal Way to Prevent Unplanned Extubation.

INTRODUCTION: Many indwelling drainage tubes after surgery. Due to the characteristics of the implanted end in the body and the tube fixed in the body, once the force is pulled, it is easy to cause extubation events, and the incidence of unplanned extubation is at a high level. And considerable distress to patients. METHODS: We designed a magnetically controlled separable pipe joint device, which can realize the pipe's automatic separation and protection function in a critical state, and protect the patient's pipe from being pulled out when the pipe is affected by an external force. And realize the automatic closing function and automatic alarm function of the broken end after the pipeline is separated, to minimize the occurrence of unplanned extubation. RESULTS: The magnetically-controlled separable pipe joint was initially applied to the clinic. Compared with the traditional drainage tube, the incidence of unplanned extubation time can be effectively reduced, and the safety, portability, and maneuverability have been greatly guaranteed. CONCLUSION: The magnetron detachable pipe joint device provides a new idea for selecting clinical drainage tubes by improving the defects of traditional drainage tubes. It can effectively prevent the occurrence of unplanned extubation.

Pulmonary Embolism Caused by Tourniquets in the Lower Extremities Treated with ECMO - A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Using tourniquets in the lower extremities can increase the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Acute large-area pulmonary embolism (APE) occurs in severe cases, and it is fatal to most patients. Acute large-area pulmonary embolism causes haemodynamic instability, right heart failure, and circulatory failure. CASE PRESENTATION: A 47-year-old female patient was subjected to spinal anaesthesia for a comminuted fracture of the tibia and fibula of the left lower limb. After the tourniquet was released during the operation, she had sudden hypotension and lost consciousness. Thus, ECMO was used to support patient circulation. With ECMO-assisted CT examination, she was diagnosed to have a pulmonary embolism. On the next day, she was subjected to a bilateral pulmonary embolism and embolectomy. Lastly, she was transferred to the general ward and discharged smoothly. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing fracture surgery should be wary of APE caused by the loss of DVT after the release of tourniquets. ECMO, as a rapid and effective temporary life support intervention, provides effective cardiopulmonary support and new treatment plans. It also saves time for further treatment of patients with high-risk APE.

A novel strategy to reduce the recirculation of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: Inferior vena cava closure technology.

The recirculation of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) will decrease the efficiency of respiratory support. We report a patient with refractory severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Even with the support of ECMO and mechanical ventilation (MV), it is still difficult to correct hypoxemia. In this case, we placed a balloon catheter above the ECMO drainage cannula in inferior vena cava (IVC), and then occlusion the IVC with the water-filled balloon. After the occlusion, the patient's hypoxemia was quickly improved, and angiography proved that the recirculation has been significantly reduced. In this case, IVC occlusion technology greatly reduces recirculation. Its advantages lie in simple operation, low cost, short term safety, which probably act as an innovative method to reduce recirculation.

Outcomes from the Use of Perioperative Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Patients Undergoing Thoracic Surgery: An 8-Year Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) plays an important role in thoracic surgery. This retrospective study from a single center aimed to evaluate patient outcomes from the use of perioperative ECMO in 22 patients undergoing thoracic surgery during an 8-year period. MATERIAL AND METHODS Data were collected retrospectively from 22 patients who received ECMO (veno-arterial and veno-venous ECMO) as perioperative treatment during general thoracic surgery from January 2012 to October 2020. Patients required ECMO due to perioperative cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) (2 cases), perioperative pulmonary embolism (PE) (2 cases), lung transplant (4 cases), undergoing complicated thoracic surgery (5 cases), postoperative acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (6 cases), and thoracic trauma (3 cases). RESULTS Veno-arterial ECMO was used for circulatory support in 13 cases and veno-venous ECMO was used for respiratory support in 9 cases. The average ECMO support time was 71.6±42.4 h. Twenty patients (90.9%) were successfully decannulated and 17 (77.2%) survived to discharge. Complications included severe hemorrhage (3/22 patients, 13.6%), sepsis (3/22, 13.6%), and destruction of blood cells (1/22, 4.5%). There were no significant differences in survival rates between patients receiving pre- or postoperative ECMO (P=0.135) or between veno-venous ECMO (V-V ECMO) and veno-arterial ECMO (V-A ECMO) (P=0.550). CONCLUSIONS The findings from this small retrospective study from a single center showed that perioperative ECMO improved cardiac and respiratory function in patients undergoing thoracic surgery. Optimal results require surgeons to have an understanding of the indications and ability to control the complications of ECMO.

A Case Report of Sedation Strategy for a Patient With Coronavirus Disease 2019 Supported by Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation After Cesarean Section.

Pneumonia caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious disease. Unfortunately, research on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) assisted treatments for patients with COVID-19 infection is limited. In this case study, a patient who was in late pregnancy (35+2 weeks of pregnancy) and suffering from severe COVID-19 was extremely irritable during ECMO-assisted treatment after she underwent a cesarean section. Her Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS) score reached +3. Nevertheless, the patient successfully was treated with a continuous single/combined application of propofol, midazolam, dexmedetomidine, hibernation mixture, and other drugs for several days (maintaining RASS -2 to -4) and provided with anti-infection, mechanical ventilation, nutritional support, fluid balance under hemodynamic monitoring, liver support, and other organ function support treatments. ECMO-assisted sedation strategy for patients was introduced and discussed in this case to provide a certain reference for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of such patients.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in patients with heart transplantation : A clinical prognosis analysis.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is indicated for bridging to heart transplantation, graft failure, and right heart failure after heart transplantation. This study explored risk factors affecting the clinical prognosis of cardiac transplantation patients treated with ECMO during the perioperative period. METHODS: Data on 28 heart transplantation patients with ECMO obtained from January 2012 to January 2018 in the People's Hospital of Zhongshan City were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 25 patients (20 male and 5 female) were finally included. Heart transplantation was performed mainly due to cardiomyopathy (77.8%). Of the treated patients, 18 (72%) survived and were discharged, 4 were treated with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) before ECMO, and 3 died in hospital. There were no differences between the surviving and death group donors (N-terminal pro b­type natriuretic peptide [NT-proBNP], creatine kinase-muscle/brain [CK-MB], warm ischemia time of donated heart, cold ischemia time of donated heart, total ischemia time of donated heart, and donor type). In univariate analysis, body mass index (BMI), length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), and CPR were relevant prognostic factors for heart transplantation patients with ECMO. Multi-factor logistic regression showed that CPR before ECMO (odds ratio, OR, 49.45; 95% confidence interval, CI, [1.37, 1781.6]; P = 0.033) is an independent risk factor influencing prognosis. CONCLUSION: ECMO is an important life support method for patients before and after heart transplantation surgery. Obesity, poor preoperative cardiac function, and considerable intraoperative red blood cell transfusion may influence prognosis. Extracardiac compression before ECMO is an independent risk factor for prognosis.

Application of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Patients with Scrub Typhus Complicated with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

A 68-year-old woman was diagnosed with scrub typhus and acute pneumonia. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) occurred on day 4 after admission and was treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). After 7 days of ECMO assistance, her respiratory condition gradually improved, and ECMO was removed. On day 20 after admission, she was discharged without any sequelae. The results suggest that ECMO should be considered as early as possible for patients with ARDS caused by scrub typhus.

Vascular Complications of Lower Limb Ischemia in Patients with Femoral Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: Lower limb ischemia in patients with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) via femoral artery catheterization negatively affects patient mortality and survivors' quality of life [Gulkarov 2020]. In this study, ECMO was established via femoral artery catheterization. This study aimed to identify the risk factors of lower limb ischemia to provide sufficient evidence for its prevention. METHODS: All patients with venoarterial (VA) ECMO via femoral artery catheterization in Zhongshan People's Hospital from January 2008 to November 2019 retrospectively were analyzed. Patients' general information and ECMO-related information were obtained, and the main outcome variables were survival and discharge and intubation-related adverse events (limb ischemia and incision bleeding). Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk factors of limb ischemia in patients with VA ECMO. RESULTS: A total of 179 (98 [54.7%] men and 81 [45.3%] women) eligible patients were included in this study. Moreover, a total of 90 patients (48.9%) had low cardiac output, 41 (22.3%) had acute myocardial infarction, and 33 (17.9%) had fulminant myocarditis. Eighty-six (48.04%) patients survived to hospital discharge, 36 (20.11%) had limb ischemia, and 42 (23.46%) had incision bleeding. Furthermore, the ECMO-assisted time was 114.23 ± 67.88 hours. There was no significant difference in age, sex, and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score between the limb ischemia group and the non-limb ischemia group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that peripheral artery disease (odds ratio, 27.12; 95% confidence interval, 5.614-130.96) was an independent risk factor of limb ischemia in patients with ECMO. CONCLUSION: Limb ischemia is a common complication in patients with VA ECMO, and peripheral artery disease is an independent risk factor of limb ischemia in patients with VA ECMO via femoral artery catheterization.

Analysis of the risk factors of acute kidney injury in patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
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BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) affects the prognosis of patients. In the present study, we explored the risk factors for AKI through a retrospective analysis of relevant data of patients undergoing ECMO with AKI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed on patients with AKI who were receiving ECMO. Patient data, including preoperative basic conditions, related clinical conditions during ECMO, and complications, were collected. The patients were divided into two groups according to the occurrence of AKI. For the determination of the ECMO-independent risk factors of AKI, risk factors that may affect AKI and those that affected AKI were selected through single-factor analysis and logistic regression analysis, respectively. RESULTS: Of the 170 cases included in this study, 91 had AKI (53.5%) as indicated by the single-factor analysis results. CPR before ECMO, high lactic acid levels before ECMO, high inotropic equivalents, large amounts of red blood cells, plasma and platelet transfusion, high C-reactive protein levels, high brain natriuretic peptide levels during ECMO, and a long period of ECMO support were all associated with AKI patients. Multiple-factor analysis results revealed that high lactic acid levels before ECMO (OR 2.96, 95% CI (1.38, 6.34); p = 0.005) and high inotropic equivalents during ECMO (OR 3.17, 95% CI (1.52, 6.61); p = 0.002) were independent risk factors of AKI in patients with ECMO. CONCLUSION: A high incidence of AKI was observed in patients with ECMO, and large doses of positive inotropic drugs and high lactic acid levels were independent risk factors of the disease in patients with ECMO.
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Analysis of Nosocomial Infections in Post-Cardiac Surgery Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support Therapy.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to analyze the nosocomial infection factors in post-cardiac surgery extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) supportive treatment (pCS-ECMO). METHODS: The clinical data of the pCS-ECMO patients who obtained nosocomial infections (NI) were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Among the 74 pCS-ECMO patients, 30 occurred with NI, accounting for 40.5%; a total of 38 pathogens were isolated, including 22 strains of Gram-negative bacteria (57.9%), 15 strains of Gram-positive bacteria (39.5%), and 1 fungus (2.6%). RESULTS: Multidrug-resistant strains were highly concentrated, among which Acinetobacter baumannii and various coagulase-negative staphylococci were the main types; NI was related to mechanical ventilation time, intensive care unit (ICU) residence, ECMO duration, and total hospital stay, and the differences were statistically significant (P < .05). The binary logistic regression analysis indicated that ECMO duration was a potential independent risk factor (OR = 0.992, P = .045, 95.0% CI = 0.984-1.000). CONCLUSIONS: There existed significant correlations between the secondary infections of pCS-ECMO and mechanical ventilation time, ICU residence, ECMO duration, and total hospital stay; therefore, hospitals should prepare appropriate preventive measures to reduce the incidence of ECMO secondary infections.

Clinical Outcomes in Pediatric Patients Hospitalized with Fulminant Myocarditis Requiring Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Meta-analysis.

We conducted a meta-analysis to provide the survival rates for pediatric patients hospitalized with fulminant myocarditis requiring ECMO. The literature search was conducted using Embase, PubMed, MEDLINE and Elsevier for studies published before April 1, 2016. We focus on survival rates for pediatric patients hospitalized with fulminant myocarditis requiring ECMO, and studies that reported only on adult patients were excluded. Summary of the survival rates was obtained using fixed-effect or random-effect meta-analysis which determined by I 2. Six studies were included in the analysis, encompassing 172 patients. The minimum and maximum reported rates of survival to hospital discharge were 53.8 and 83.3%, respectively. The cumulative rate was 107/172. The calculated Cochran Q value was 3.73, which was not significant for heterogeneity (P = 0.588). The I 2 value was 0%. The pooled estimate rate was 62.9% with a 95% confidence interval of 55.3-69.8%. In pediatric patients with cardiac failure who have failed conventional therapies in FM, venoarterial ECMO should be considered. In total, 62.9% of patients with FM and either cardiogenic shock and/or cardiac arrest survived to hospital discharge with ECMO.

The Prognostic Risk Factors of ECMO in Patients with Cardiogenic Shock: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Advances in ECMO have rapidly progressed in recent years; however, the clinical mortality rate remains high. This study aimed to identify the risk factors of ECMO in patients with cardiogenic shock. METHODS: Data of patients with cardiogenic shock who received ECMO from January 2006 to August 2013 at the Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University were retrospectively analyzed. All patients with cardiogenic shock were divided into two groups according to whether death occurred in the hospital. The possible prognostic risk factors of ECMO were first obtained in a univariate analysis of the two groups, and the risk factors that affected the prognosis of patients who underwent ECMO were determined using a logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: This study included 94 cardiogenic shock patients who were treated with ECMO. Overall, 59 patients were successfully weaned from ECMO, which accounted for 62.7% of all patients. The multivariate analysis indicated that the independent risk factors associated with prognosis included ECMO timing (OR = 7.68; 95% CI 1.60-37.01), the occurrence of postoperative MOF (OR = 2,823.09; 95% CI 14.75-540,171.06), and the lactate level at weaning (OR = 493.17; 95% CI: 1.55-156,653.27). CONCLUSION: For patients with refractory cardiogenic shock, the early establishment of ECMO, improvement in perfusion, and the prevention of complications may improve the prognosis.

Application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the remote transport of a patient with a ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm: a case report.

Background: A ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm can lead to rapid heart failure and sudden cardiac death. Management of patients who develop severe heart failure and need to be transferred to a specialized hospital for surgical treatment can be challenging. In patients with severe shock due to a ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm into the right atrium, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) transport is an effective means to ensure patient safety, but increases the right cardiac load. We report the experience of veno-arterial (VA) ECMO transport in the treatment of acute cardiogenic shock caused by rupture of a congenital sinus of Valsalva aneurysm. Case presentation: We describe the case of an 18-year-old male who began having acute episodes of chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, and dizziness 18 h before presenting to the emergency department. An echocardiogram revealed an acute ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm and a shunt to the right atrium. The patient presented with severe shock. VA-ECMO was administered to ensure safe transport to the cardiac center. The outcome of emergency surgical repair was good. The patient was on ECMO for 8 h. He returned to the general ward after 7 days and was successfully discharged after 40 days. He had good exercise tolerance 2 years after surgery and no evidence of heart failure. Conclusion: Although ECMO transport can increase right cardiac load, it is an effective and safe method to move patients with severe shock caused by a ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm into the right atrium. Methods to decrease right cardiac load, such as decreasing ECMO flow combined with cardiotonic drugs, should be adopted. Successful treatment involves rapid establishment of cardiopulmonary bypass and urgent repair of the ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm.

The application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in emergent airway management - a single-center retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Emergent airway occurrences pose a significant threat to patient life. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been proven to be an effective method for managing emergent airways. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on all patients receiving ECMO as an adjunct for emergent airway management from January 2018 to December 2022 at the People's Hospital of Zhongshan City. We collected the basic information of the patients, their blood gas data before and after ECMO, the related parameters of ECMO, and the outcome and then analyzed and summarized these data. RESULTS: Six patients, with an average age of 51.0(28-66) years, received veno-venous (VV)- ECMO as an adjunct due to emergent airway issues. The average ECMO support duration was 30.5(11-48) hours. All six patients were successfully weaned off ECMO support, with five (83.3%) being successfully discharged after a hospital stay of 15.5(7-55) days. All six patients underwent VV-ECMO through femoral-internal jugular vein cannulation. Among these, five patients, whose airway obstruction was due to hemorrhage, underwent a non-anticoagulant ECMO strategy with no recorded thrombotic events. CONCLUSIONS: The rapid establishment of ECMO support is aided by the establishment of a standardized ECMO initiation protocol and the formation of a multidisciplinary rapid-response ECMO team, which is particularly crucial for emergent airway management. When airway obstruction results from hemorrhagic factors, the early adoption of a non-anticoagulant ECMO strategy can be considered when implementing VV-ECMO.

Study on Formation and Migration Law of Foam in Fractures and Its Influencing Factors.

This study focuses on the characteristics of foam generation, flow, and plugging in different reservoir fracture environments. Through visual physical model experiments and stone core displacement experiments, we analyze the flow regeneration of foam in a simulated reservoir fracture environment as well as its sealing and sweeping mechanisms. The findings reveal that low permeability reservoirs, with their smaller and more intricate fracture structures, are conducive to the generation of high-strength foam. This is due to the stronger shear effect of these fracture structures on the injected surfactant and gas mixture system, resulting in a denser foam system. Consequently, low permeability reservoirs facilitate a series of mechanisms that enhance the fluid sweep efficiency. Furthermore, the experiments demonstrate that higher reservoir fracture roughness intensifies the shear disturbance effect on the injected fluid. This disturbance aids in foam regeneration, increases the flow resistance of the foam, and helps to plug high permeability channels. As a result, the foam optimizes the injection-production profile and improves the fluid sweep efficiency. Stone core displacement experiments further illustrate that during foam flooding, the foam liquid film encapsulates the gas phase, thereby obstructing fluid channeling through the Jamin effect. This forces the subsequently injected fluid into other low-permeability fractures, overcoming the shielding effect of high-permeability fractures on low-permeability fractures. Consequently, this improves the fluid diversion rate of low permeability fractures, effectively inhibiting fluid cross-flow and enhancing sweep efficiency. These experimental results highlight the advantages of foam flooding in the development of complex reservoirs with low permeability fracture structures, demonstrating its efficacy in inhibiting fluid cross-flow and optimizing the injection-production profile.

Treatment of late left bronchopleural fistula after left pneumonectomy through right thoracic approach assisted by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: Bronchopleural fistula (BPF) is a rare but fatal complication after pneumonectomy. When a BPF occurs late (weeks to years postoperatively), direct resealing of the bronchial stump through the primary thoracic approach is challenging due to the risks of fibrothorax and injury to the pulmonary artery stump, and the surgical outcome is generally poor. Here, we report a case of late left BPF following left pneumonectomy successfully treated using a right thoracic approach assisted by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 57-year-old male patient who underwent left lower and left upper lobectomy, respectively, for heterochronic double primary lung cancer. A left BPF was diagnosed at the 22nd month postoperatively, and conservative treatment was ineffective. Finally, the left BPF was cured by minimally invasive BPF closure surgery via the right thoracic approach with the support of veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO). CONCLUSIONS: Advanced BPF following left pneumonectomy can be achieved with an individualized treatment plan, and the right thoracic approach assisted by ECMO is a relatively simple and effective method, which could be considered as an additional treatment option for similar patients.