Extra-cardiac management of cardiogenic shock in the intensive care unit.

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a heterogeneous clinical syndrome characterized by low cardiac output leading to end-organ hypoperfusion. Organ dysoxia ranging from transient organ injury to irreversible organ failure and death occurs across all CS etiologies but differing by incidence and type. Herein, we review the recognition and management of respiratory, renal and hepatic failure complicating CS. We also discuss unmet needs in the CS care pathway and future research priorities for generating evidence-based best practices for the management of extra-cardiac sequelae. The complexity of CS admitted to the contemporary cardiac intensive care unit demands a workforce skilled to care for these extra-cardiac critical illness complications with an appreciation for how cardio-systemic interactions influence critical illness outcomes in afflicted patients.

Diagnosis and management of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) in sickle cell disease: A review.

Pulmonary hypertension in sickle cell disease (SCD) is a complex phenomenon resulting from multiple overlapping etiologies, including pulmonary vasoconstriction in the setting of chronic hemolytic anemia, diastolic dysfunction, and chronic thromboembolic disease. The presence of pulmonary hypertension of any cause in SCD confers a significant increase in mortality risk. Evidence to guide the management of patients with sickle cell disease and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is scant and largely the realm of case reports and small case series. Centered on a discussion of a complex young patient with hemoglobin hemoglobin SC who ultimately underwent treatment with pulmonary thromboendarterectomy, we review the available literature to guide management and discuss and overview of treatment of CTEPH in SCD, considering the unique considerations and challenges facing patients suffering from this multisystem disease.

Pelvic Vein Obstruction in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: A Novel Association.

Background: Pelvic venous obstruction (PVO), defined as greater than 50% stenosis or occlusion of pelvic veins, is a known risk factor for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT is a known risk factor for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), but the prevalence of PVO in CTEPH is unknown. Methods: This cross-sectional study at Temple University's tertiary referral center for Pulmonary Hypertension, Right Heart Failure, and CTEPH sought to identify the presence of PVO in patients with CTEPH who underwent cardiac catheterization, pulmonary angiography, and venography. Results: A total of 193 CTEPH patients were referred for pulmonary angiography, and among these, 148 underwent venography. PVO was identified in 65 (44%) patients. Lower extremity (LE) DVT was associated with PVO (p = 0.004). The severity of pulmonary hypertension was similar with and without PVO (mean pulmonary artery pressure 43.0 ± 10.3 mm Hg vs. 43.8 ± 12.4 mm Hg, p = 0.70), as was the need for pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (69.2% vs. 61.4%, p = 0.32). Conclusions: Pelvic vein obstruction is common and a novel clinical association in patients with CTEPH, particularly in patients with a history of LE DVT. PVO and its role in CTEPH warrants further study, including the potential role of revascularization to mitigate further risk.