Using cerebral regional oxygen saturation and amplitude-integrated electroencephalography in neonates on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: preliminary experience from a single center.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the application value in neurological outcome of cerebral regional oxygen saturation (CrSO2) and amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) monitoring during neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) courses. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 18 neonates receiving veno-arterial ECMO (V-A ECMO) support at our hospital from July 2021 to December 2022. Continuous monitoring of CrSO2 and brain electrical activity was conducted using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and aEEG throughout the ECMO treatment. We collected and analyzed related clinical data. RESULTS: Among the 11 survivors, 5 were categorized as the normal group (N group) and 6 as the abnormal group (AN group) based on post-ECMO brain MRI outcomes. The N group exhibited shorter time percentage of significant CrSO2 reduction (> 25% from baseline or absolute value < 40%), better fractional tissue oxygen extraction (FTOE) rates, and more stable mean percentage changes in CrSO2 compared to the AN group. Neonates in the N group predominantly showed mildly abnormal aEEG readings, with one patient displaying disrupted sleep-wake cycles. This particular patient also had more significant CrSO2 reduction and poorer FTOE compared to others in the N group. Additionally, the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) scores indicated hypoevolutism in this patient before discharge, while others in the N group had normal TIMP scores. In the AN group, 4 exhibited moderate and 2 severe aEEG abnormalities; 5 had hypoevolutism TIMP scores, and 1 with moderate aEEG abnormalities maintained a normal TIMP score, exhibiting lesser CrSO2 reduction and improved FTOE. CONCLUSION: CrSO2 and aEEG monitoring show potential as routine assessments for neurological outcomes during neonatal ECMO. In our cohort, a tendency was observed where neonates with greater reductions in CrSO2 and more severe aEEG abnormalities experienced poorer neurological outcomes.

Percutaneous femoral venoarterial ECMO decannulation at the bedside using the Manta vascular closure device.

A case of peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation decannulation using the Teleflex Manta vascular closure device is presented.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in cardiovascular medication poisoning. A German-wide retrospective study.

Medication poisoning, resulting from the ingestion of cardiotoxic drugs, presents a significant health issue. The mortality rate remains high for patients with myocardial dysfunction refractory to conventional treatments. Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (V-A ECMO) provides temporary support, potentially enhancing patient outcomes. This study aims to assess the efficacy of V-A ECMO in treating cardiovascular failure induced by cardiovascular medication poisoning. We utilized inpatient data from all hospitalisations in Germany from 2007 to 2022 due to cardiovascular medication poisoning treated with V-A ECMO. Patient characteristics, comorbidities, complications and application of ECMO were described descriptively and analysed for statistical significance between survivors and non-survivors. Overall, 49 patients received V-A ECMO for cardiovascular medication poisoning, with a survival rate of 63.6%. The most ingested medications were calcium-channel blockers (38.8%) and beta-adrenoceptor antagonists (34.7%). Half of non-survivors received in-hospital CPR, compared to 12.9% of survivors. Early ECMO implantation (within 24 h of admission) was common (83.7%) but did not significantly impact survival rates. A substantial number of patients presented with multiple substances ingested. V-A ECMO represents a viable option for patients experiencing cardiac failure due to medication poisoning. A structured implementation of V-A ECMO for cardiovascular medication poisoning could lead to higher survival rates.

Standardized therapies after ECMO program (STEP); a novel approach to pediatric post-ECMO care.

BACKGROUND: The study objective was to characterize compliance with Standardized Therapy after ECMO Program (STEP), an intentional discharge pathway for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) survivors in a US pediatric hospital. METHODS: The program identified pediatric ECMO survivors before discharge, appropriate consultations were reviewed and requested, families were educated on ECMO sequelae, and ECMO summaries were sent to pediatricians. Compliance with institutional post-ECMO guidelines was evaluated before and after STEP implementation. RESULTS: We identified 77 ECMO survivors to hospital discharge (36 [46.8%] before and 41 [53.2%] after STEP implementation). There was a significant increase in complete (38.8% vs. 74.2%, p < 0.001) and time-appropriate neurodevelopmental testing (71.4% vs. 95.6%, p = 0.03). Significant increase in inpatient evaluations by neurology (52.7% vs. 75.6%, p = 0.03) and audiology (66.7% vs. 87.8%, p = 0.02), and in referrals for outpatient audiology (66.6 vs. 95.1%, p = 0.002), physical therapy (P.T.) (63.8% vs. 95.1%, p = 0.001), occupational therapy (O.T.) (63.8% vs. 95.1%, p = 0.001) and speech-language pathology (S.L.P.) (55.5% vs. 95.1%, p < 0.001) were noted. CONCLUSION: Implementing an intentional discharge pathway for pediatric ECMO survivors (STEP) successfully increases inpatient and outpatient compliance with hospital and Extracorporeal life support organization (ELSO) follow-up guidelines. It leads to timely and complete neurodevelopmental evaluation.

Extraction of ketamine and dexmedetomidine by extracorporeal life support circuits☠.

BACKGROUND: Patients supported with extracorporeal life support (ECLS) circuits such as ECMO and CRRT often require high doses of sedatives and analgesics, including ketamine and dexmedetomidine. Concentrations of many medications are affected by ECLS circuits through adsorption to the circuit components, dialysis, as well as the large volume of blood used to prime the circuits. However, the impact of ECLS circuits on ketamine and dexmedetomidine pharmacokinetics has not been well described. This study determined ketamine and dexmedetomidine extraction by extracorporeal circuits in an ex-vivo system. METHODS: Medication was administered at therapeutic concentration to blood-primed, closed-loop ex-vivo ECMO and CRRT circuits. Drug concentrations were measured in plasma, hemofiltrate, and control samples at multiple time points throughout the experiments. At each sample time point, the percentage of drug recovery was calculated. RESULTS: Ketamine plasma concentration in the ECMO and CRRT circuits decreased rapidly, with 43.8% recovery (SD = 0.6%) from ECMO circuits after 8 h and 3.3% (SD = 1.8%) recovery from CRRT circuits after 6 h. Dexmedetomidine was also cleared from CRRT circuits, with 20.3% recovery (SD = 1.8%) after 6 h. Concentrations of both medications were very stable in the control experiments, with approximately 100% drug recovery of both ketamine and dexmedetomidine after 6 h. CONCLUSION: Ketamine and dexmedetomidine concentrations are significantly affected by ECLS circuits, indicating that dosing adjustments are needed for patients supported with ECMO and CRRT.

Increased white blood cell count is associated with an increased demand for unfractionated heparin during veno-arterial extracorporeal oxygenation in lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND: This retrospective observational study aimed to examine whether clinical inflammatory parameters were associated with the requirement dosage of unfractionated heparin (UFH) to maintain the range of ACT in veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) during lung transplantation surgery. METHODS: Among all patients who underwent lung transplantation using V-A ECMO from January 2021 to May 2022, 27 patients were included. These patients were divided into two groups based on whether the infusion rate of UFH was increased from the initial infusion rate (7-8 units/kg/h) (increased group, n = 10) or the infusion rate was maintained or decreased (non-increased group, n = 17). The infusion rate was adjusted with an activated clotting time (ACT) target of 160-200 s. RESULTS: At 1-2 h after starting ECMO, ACT was significantly lower (179.0 (166.5-188.5) versus 224.0 (193.0-242.0) sec, p = 0.006) and white blood cell (WBC) counts were higher in the increased group (12.6 ± 3.3 versus 9.5 ± 4.0 × 103/µL, p = 0.046). The UFH infusion rates were higher in the increased group during the surgery. The cutoff value of WBC count at 1-2 h after starting ECMO for discriminating the need for increasing the UFH dosage was determined as 10.2 × 103/µL (sensitivity 90.0%, specificity 58.8%, area under the curve 0.712) and discrimination of this cut-off value was confirmed as statistically significant (p = 0.018). CONCLUSION: These data suggested that WBC count was associated with the requirement of an increase in the UFH infusion rate of V-A ECMO during lung transplantation surgery. Further evaluation is necessary to clarify the role of WBC count in determining the optimal UFH dosage.

Outcomes in patients who received ECMO and/or volatile anesthetics as rescue therapies for status asthmaticus☠.

BACKGROUND: In the state of Kentucky, many status asthmaticus (SA) patients require care in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and a fraction of these patients may receive "rescue therapies" with inhaled volatile anesthetics (IVA) and/or Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO). We present a series of such patients with the objective of comparing the clinical parameters of individual patients who received inhaled volatile anesthesia and subsequently the need for ECMO. METHODS: Children between 2 and 18 years of age admitted to our PICU from January 2014 to July 2020 with SA were reviewed and categorized as 1) patients who received IVA alone, 2) patients who received IVA and then subsequently ECMO, and 3) patients on ECMO alone. RESULTS: A total of 1772 children with SA episodes were identified with a mortality of 13 patients. Seven children with SA were identified who received either IVA, ECMO, or both. One patient received only IVA, 5 received both IVA and ECMO and one received only ECMO. All received standard asthma therapies of steroids, albuterol, magnesium sulphate, and aminophylline prior to escalation. Six out of seven refractory SA received IVA, and five (83%) of those were subsequently escalated to ECMO. There was an improvement in mean pH after cannulation compared to IVA. pCO2 levels had no improvement after IVA administration but decreased by an average of 20 points after ECMO. Patients peak inspiratory pressures decreased within the 1st 24 h of ECMO cannulation from a mean of 30 to 18. There were no other complications related to ECMO placement. CONCLUSION: While we cannot decisively draw any conclusions from our study due to the small sample, it was noted that there was no clear advantage of using IVA prior to ECMO in our patients. Most patients who received IVA were escalated to ECMO indicating that early ECMO cannulation may be beneficial. Given the high cost and potential complications of both, there is a need for the development of well-defined guidelines for severe SA management in the PICU.

Comparing right- versus left-first implantation in off-pump sequential double-lung transplantation: an observational cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: Historically, the perfusion-guided sequence suggests to first transplant the side with lowest lung perfusion. This sequence is thought to limit right ventricular afterload and prevent acute heart failure after first pneumonectomy. As a paradigm shift, we adopted the right-first implantation sequence, irrespective of lung perfusion. The right donor lung generally accommodates a larger proportion of the cardiac output. We hypothesized that the right-first sequence reduces the likelihood of oedema formation in the firstly transplanted graft during second-lung implantation. Our objective was to compare the perfusion-guided and right-first sequence for intraoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) need and primary graft dysfunction (PGD). METHODS: A retrospective single-centre cohort study (2008-2021) including double-lung transplant cases (N = 696) started without ECMO was performed. Primary end-points were intraoperative ECMO cannulation and PGD grade 3 (PGD3) at 72 h. Secondary end-points were patient and chronic lung allograft dysfunction-free survival. In cases with native left lung perfusion ≤50% propensity score adjusted comparison of the perfusion-guided and right-first sequence was performed. RESULTS: When left lung perfusion was ≤50%, right-first implantation was done in 219 and left-first in 189 cases. Intraoperative escalation to ECMO support was observed in 10.96% of right-first versus 19.05% of left-first cases (odds ratio 0.448; 95% confidence interval 0.229-0.0.878; P = 0.0193). PGD3 at 72 h was observed in 8.02% of right-first versus 15.64% of left-first cases (0.566; 0.263-1.217; P = 0.1452). Right-first implantation did not affect patient or chronic lung allograft dysfunction-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: The right-first implantation sequence in off-pump double-lung transplantation reduces need for intraoperative ECMO cannulation with a trend towards less PGD grade 3.

Do DanGer-SHOCK-like patients benefit from VA-ECMO treatment in infarct-related cardiogenic shock? results of an individual patient data meta-analysis.

AIMS: In a recent meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, routine use of veno-arterial ECMO (VA-ECMO) did not improve outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction-related cardiogenic shock (AMI-CS), while a microaxial flow pump reduced mortality in a selected group of patients with AMI-CS in the DanGer-Shock trial. METHODS AND RESULTS: Individual patient data of patients included in four randomized clinical trials investigating the routine use of VA-ECMO in AMI-CS were centrally analysed. For the purpose of this sub-analysis, DanGer-Shock-like patients were analysed (STEMI only, presumed low likelihood of brain injury). The primary endpoint was 180-day all-cause mortality. A total of 202 patients (106 randomized to VA-ECMO and 96 to control) were included. There were no differences in baseline characteristics, angiographic and interventional features between the two groups. Mortality after 6 months was numerically lower with VA-ECMO between the groups [45% in VA-ECMO group vs. 51% in control group; hazard ratio, 0.84; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.56-1.26], while major bleeding (OR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.08-4.64) and peripheral vascular complications (OR, 3.65; 95% CI, 1.15-11.56) were increased with the use of VA-ECMO. CONCLUSION: In this exploratory subgroup analysis in patients with CS, STEMI, and a low likelihood of brain injury, there was no mortality benefit with the routine use of VA-ECMO. However, as indicated by the large confidence intervals, the statistical power was limited to draw definite conclusions.

Clinicians' experience of barriers and facilitators to care delivery of an extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation service for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a qualitative survey.

BACKGROUND: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survival in the UK remains overall poor with fewer than 10% of patients surviving to hospital discharge. Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is a developing therapy option that can improve survival in select patients if treatment begins within an hour. Clinicians' perspectives are a pivotal consideration to the development of effective systems for OHCA ECPR, but they have been infrequently explored. This study investigates clinicians' views on the barriers and facilitators to establishing effective systems to facilitate transport of OHCA patients for in-hospital ECPR. METHODS: In January 2023, Thames Valley Air Ambulance (TVAA) and Harefield Hospital developed an ECPR partnership pathway for conveyance of OHCA patients for in-hospital ECPR. The authors of this study conducted a survey of clinicians across both services looking to identify clear barriers and positive contributors to the effective implementation of the programme. The survey included questions about technical and non-technical barriers and facilitators, with free-text responses analysed thematically. RESULTS: Responses were received from 14 pre-hospital TVAA critical care and 9 in-hospital clinicians' representative of various roles and experiences. Data analysis revealed 10 key themes and 19 subthemes. The interconnected themes, identified by pre-hospital TVAA critical care clinicians as important barriers or facilitators in this ECPR system included educational programmes; collectiveness in effort and culture; teamwork; inter-service communication; concurrent activity; and clarity of procedures. Themes from in-hospital clinicians' responses were distilled into key considerations focusing on learning and marginal gains, standardising and simplifying protocols, training and simulation; and nurturing effective teams. CONCLUSION: This study identified several clear themes and subthemes from clinical experience that should be considered when developing and modelling an ECPR system for OHCA. These insights may inform future development of ECPR programmes for OHCA in other centres. Key recommendations identified include prioritising education and training (including regular simulations), standardising a 'pitstop style' handover process, establishing clear roles during the cannulation process and developing standardised protocols and selection criteria. This study also provides insight into the feasibility of using pre-hospital critical care teams for intra-arrest patient retrieval in the pre-hospital arena.

Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-assisted treatment of severe airway stenosis due to goiter: Two case reports.

RATIONALE: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a critical care intervention that acts as a temporary substitute for the heart and lungs, facilitating adequate tissue perfusion and gas exchange. The 2 primary configurations, veno-arterial and veno-venous ECMO, are tailored to support either the heart and lungs or the lungs alone, respectively. PATIENT CONCERNS: The case report details patients with tumor-induced airway stenosis who encountered limitations with standard treatments, which were either insufficient or carried the risk of severe complications such as hypoxia and asphyxia. DIAGNOSES: Patients were diagnosed with severe airway stenosis caused by goiter, a condition that required innovative treatment approaches to prevent complications during the management process. INTERVENTIONS: Veno-venous ECMO was implemented as a bridging therapy to provide vital respiratory support during the tumor resection procedure. This intervention was crucial in reducing the risks associated with airway edema or tumor rupture. OUTCOMES: With the use of veno-venous ECMO, the patients successfully underwent tumor resection. They were subsequently weaned off the ECMO support, and after a course of treatment, they were discharged in good condition. LESSONS: The case demonstrates the efficacy of veno-venous ECMO as a bridging therapy for managing severe airway stenosis caused by goiter. Its use facilitated the successful resection of tumors and led to positive patient outcomes, highlighting its potential as a valuable treatment option in similar scenarios.

An unexpected bronchoscopic finding possibly induced by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: A case report of bronchial Dieulafoy disease.

RATIONALE: Bronchial Dieulafoy disease (BDD), a rarely reported disease, comes from dilated or abnormal arteries under the bronchial mucosa. Patients with BDD are generally asymptomatic so this disease is frequently misdiagnosed. However, the submucosal arteries may dilate and rupture for various reasons, leading to recurrent respiratory tract bleeding and potentially life-threatening conditions. With the change of reversible factors such as intravascular pressure, the arteries may return to normal, allowing patients to recover to an asymptomatic state. This phenomenon has not been mentioned and concerned in previous studies, but it may have important implications for our correct understanding of this disease. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 44-year-old female was admitted to intensive care unit with recurrent malignant arrhythmias. With the assistance of VA-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), both her vital signs and internal environment were all gradually stabilized. However, she had been experiencing recurrent respiratory tract bleeding. While removing the bloody secretion with a fiber bronchoscopy, a congested protruding granule on the wall of the patient's left principal bronchus was found. DIAGNOSIS: The patient was diagnosed with BDD and the granule was thought to be an abnormal artery of BDD. INTERVENTIONS: For the patient's condition, we did not implement any targeted interventions with the abnormal artery. OUTCOMES: After the weaning of VA-ECMO, the patient's granule could not be found and the bleeding had also disappeared. She gradually weaned off the mechanical ventilation and was transferred to the Department of Cardiology. Then the patient was discharged after her condition stabilized. In more than half a year, the patient is in a normal physical condition. LESSONS: The appearance and disappearance of abnormal artery is an interesting phenomena of BDD. The change of intravascular pressure due to various causes such as VA-ECMO may be the primary factor of it.

Serum neurofilament light chain as a sensitive biomarker for neuromonitoring during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has grown rapidly, driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite its widespread adoption, neurological complications pose a significant risk, impacting both mortality and survivors' quality of life. Detecting these complications is challenging due to sedation and the heterogeneous nature of ECMO-associated neurological injury. Still, consensus of neurologic monitoring during ECMO is lacking since utilization and effectiveness of current neuromonitoring methods are limited. Especially in view of the heterogeneous nature of neurological injury during ECMO support an easily acquirable biomarker tracing neuronal damage independently from the underlying pathomechanism would be favorable. In a single-center prospective study on 34 severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients undergoing ECMO, we explored the potential of serum neurofilament light chain levels (NfL) as a biomarker for neurological complications and its predictive power towards the overall outcome of ECMO patients. Individuals experiencing neurological complications (41%) demonstrated a notable rise in NfL levels (Tbaseline median 92.95 pg/ml; T24h median 132 pg/ml (IQR 88.6-924 pg/ml), p = 0.008; T7d median 248 pg/ml (IQR 157-1090 pg/ml), p = 0.001). Moreover, under ECMO therapy, these patients exhibited markedly elevated concentrations compared to those without neurological complications (T24h median 70.75 pg/ml (IQR 22.2-290 pg/ml), p = 0.023; T7d median 128 pg/ml (IQR 51.8-244 pg/ml), p = 0.002). There was no significant difference in the NfL dynamics between surviving patients and those who died during or shortly after ECMO therapy. While NfL indicates neuro-axonal damage during intensive care with ECMO therapy, we could not identify any correlation between survival outcome and the levels of NfL, indicating that NfL may not serve as a prognostic marker for survival. Nevertheless, additional studies involving a larger patient cohort are required.

Outcomes of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Pediatric Trauma Patients.

IMPORTANCE: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with high mortality and morbidity. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is one of the interventions that have been in practice for ARDS for decades. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to investigate the outcomes of ECMO in pediatric trauma patients who suffered from ARDS. DESIGN: Observational cohort study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: The Trauma Quality Improvement Program database for years 2017 to 2019 and 2021 through 2022 was accessed for the study. All children younger than 18 years old who were admitted to the hospital after trauma and suffered from ARDS were included in the study. Other variables included in the study were patients' demographics, clinical characteristics, Injury Severity Score (ISS), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, comorbidities, and outcomes. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: ECMO is the exposure, and the outcomes are in-hospital mortality and hospital complications (acute kidney injury [AKI], pneumonia and deep vein thrombosis [DVT]). RESULTS: Of 453 patients who qualified for the study, propensity score matching found 50 pairs of patients. There were no significant differences identified between the groups, ECMO+ vs. ECMO- on patients' age in years (16 yr; interquartile range [IQR], 13.25-17 yr vs. 16 yr [14.25-17 yr]), race (White; 62.0% vs. 66.0%), sex (male; 78% vs. 76%), ISS (23 [IQR, 9.25-34] vs. 22 [9.25-32]), and GCS (15 [IQR, 3-15] vs. 13.5 [3-15]), mechanism of injury; and comorbidities. There was no difference between the groups, ECMO+ vs. ECMO-, in-hospital mortality (10.0% vs. 20.0%; p = 0.302), hospital complications (AKI 12.0% vs. 2.0%; p = 0.131), pneumonia (10.0% vs. 20.0%; p = 0.182 > ), and DVT (16% vs. 6%; p = 0.228). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: No difference in mortality was observed in injured children who suffered from the ARDS and were placed on ECMO when compared with patients who were not placed on ECMO. Patients with trauma and ARDS who require ECMO have comparable outcomes to those who do not receive ECMO. A larger sample size study is needed to find the exact benefit of ECMO in this patients' cohort.

Cardiopulmonary bypass and VA-ECMO induced immune dysfunction: common features and differences, a narrative review.

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation are critical tools in contemporary cardiac surgery and intensive care, respectively. While these techniques share similar components, their application contexts differ, leading to distinct immune dysfunctions which could explain the higher incidence of nosocomial infections among ECMO patients compared to those undergoing CPB. This review explores the immune modifications induced by these techniques, comparing their similarities and differences, and discussing potential treatments to restore immune function and prevent infections. The immune response to CPB and ECMO involves both humoral and cellular components. The kinin system, complement system, and coagulation cascade are rapidly activated upon blood contact with the circuit surfaces, leading to the release of pro-inflammatory mediators. Ischemia-reperfusion injury and the release of damage-associated molecular patterns further exacerbate the inflammatory response. Cellular responses involve platelets, neutrophils, monocytes, dendritic cells, B and T lymphocytes, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, all of which undergo phenotypic and functional alterations, contributing to immunoparesis. Strategies to mitigate immune dysfunctions include reducing the inflammatory response during CPB/ECMO and enhancing immune functions. Approaches such as off-pump surgery, corticosteroids, complement inhibitors, leukocyte-depleting filters, and mechanical ventilation during CPB have shown varying degrees of success in clinical trials. Immunonutrition, particularly arginine supplementation, has also been explored with mixed results. These strategies aim to balance the inflammatory response and support immune function, potentially reducing infection rates and improving outcomes. In conclusion, both CPB and ECMO trigger significant immune alterations that increase susceptibility to nosocomial infections. Addressing these immune dysfunctions through targeted interventions is essential to improving patient outcomes in cardiac surgery and critical care settings. Future research should focus on refining these strategies and developing new approaches to better manage the immune response in patients undergoing CPB and ECMO.

Complex Interplay of COVID-19 ARDS with Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Cerebral Infarction: A Case Study.

BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) can cause various complications. We report a case of severe COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in a patient receiving veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO), complicated by Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and cerebral infarction, as well as pulmonary embolism. CASE REPORT A 55-year-old Japanese man with a history of ulcerative colitis was admitted for COVID-19. His respiratory status worsened and progressed to ARDS, requiring intubation on hospital day (HD) 3. On HD 16, contrast computed tomography revealed PE. On HD 18, his respiratory condition worsened, and V-V ECMO was initiated. On HD 23, V-V ECMO was successfully discontinued. He regained consciousness on HD 44, but he had quadriplegia. Deep-tendon reflexes were absent in all limbs. Cranial nerve involvement, specifically bilateral facial nerve weakness, was noted. Magnetic resonance imaging showed bilateral scattered cerebral infarctions on HD 76. Nerve conduction studies indicated severe axonal neuropathy. Cerebrospinal fluid examination showed albuminocytologic dissociation. The antibody to the ganglioside GD1a was positive. These findings were consistent with the diagnosis of GBS. He received immunoglobulin treatment on HD 89, and his neurological findings slightly improved. CONCLUSIONS This study emphasized that in COVID-19, neurological complications are not rare, are difficult to diagnose, and are prone to delays in detection.

Fulminant Myocarditis in Patients With Autoimmune Disease That Requires Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support.

Myocarditis is a potentially life-threatening inflammatory disease of the myocardium, often resulting from infectious and immune-mediated responses. Clinical presentation in severe cases often results in a devastating illness requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support as a result of cardiogenic shock. Although endomyocardial biopsy is still considered the gold standard for diagnosis, it often reveals nonspecific lymphocytic infiltration. Because the precise cause is usually unknown, the initial treatment typically involves immunosuppression and frequent assessment of myocardial contractility. This report presents 3 rare cases of autoimmune diseases (polymyositis, immunoglobulin G4-related disease, and systemic lupus erythematosus) that require extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support as a result of fulminant myocarditis, including their follow-up periods.

Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in devastating bacterial pneumonia: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial pneumonia is one of the most common causes of acute respiratory distress syndrome. In fulminant cases, when mechanical ventilation fails, veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is required. However, this method is still associated with significant mortality and a wide range of potential complications. However, there are now many case reports of good outcomes even in patients with prolonged extracorporeal oxygenation, as in our rather complicated case report. CASE PRESENTATION: Our case report describes a complicated but successful treatment of a severe, devastating bacterial pneumonia in a 39-year-old European polymorbid woman with a rare form of diabetes mellitus, which had been poorly compensated for a long time with limited compliance, in the context of a combined immunodeficiency that strongly influenced the course of the disease. The patient's hospitalization required a total of 30 days of veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy and more than 50 days of mechanical ventilation. Numerous complications, particularly bleeding, required seven chest drains, two extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuit changes, and one surgical revision. The patient's mental state required repeated psychiatric intervention. CONCLUSION: It is possible that even the initially severely damaged lung parenchyma can develop its regenerative potential if suitable conditions are provided for this process, including a sufficiently long period of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. We believe that this case report may also contribute to the consideration of the indications and contraindications of extracorporeal support. The authors also discuss the limitations and risks of prolonged veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support and periprocedural anticoagulation strategies.

Assessing Venous Thrombotic Risks in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation-Supported Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This study investigates the prevalence and risk factors associated with venous thrombotic events in patients receiving (ECMO) support. Systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies. PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus, and ProQuest databases from inception through November 25, 2023.Case-control and cohort studies focusing on the prevalence and risk factors for venous thrombotic events in patients supported by ECMO. Identification of risk factors and calculation of incidence rates. Nineteen studies encompassing 10,767 participants were identified and included in the analysis. The pooled prevalence of venous thrombotic events among patients receiving ECMO support was 48% [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.37-0.60, I2 = 97.18%]. Factors associated with increased incidence rates included longer duration of ECMO support (odds ratio [OR] 1.08, 95% CI 1.07-1.09, I2 = 49%), abnormal anti-coagulation monitoring indicators (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00-1.04, I2 = 84%), and type of ECMO cannulation (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.14-3.34, I2 = 64%). The pooled prevalence of venous thrombotic events in patients with ECMO support is high. Increased risk is associated with extended duration of ECMO support, abnormal anti-coagulation monitoring, and specific types of ECMO cannulation.