Nonoperative Management of Iatrogenic Right Atrial Appendage Pseudoaneurysm During Catheter Ablation.

Atrial pseudoaneurysms are exceedingly rare. Cardiac pseudoaneurysms are at risk for rupture, which may be catastrophic and require emergent thoracotomy for definitive treatment. We report a case of right atrial appendage perforation during catheter ablation leading to tamponade and right atrium pseudoaneurysm.

Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for respiratory failure refractory to high frequency percussive ventilation.

BACKGROUND: High frequency percussive ventilation (HFPV) has demonstrated improvements in gas exchange, but not in clinical outcomes. OBJECTIVES: We utilize HFPV in patients failing conventional ventilation (CV), with rescue venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) reserved for failure of HFPV, and we describe our experience with such a strategy. METHODS: All adult patients (age >18 years) placed on HFPV for failure of CV at a single institution over a 10-year period were included. Those maintained on HFPV were compared to those that failed HFPV and required VV ECMO. Survival was compared to expected survival after upfront VV ECMO as estimated by VV ECMO risk prediction models. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients were placed on HFPV for failure of CV over a 10-year period. After HFPV initiation, the P/F ratio rose from 76mmHg to 153.3mmHg in the 69 % of patients successfully maintained on HFPV. The P/F ratio only rose from 60.3mmHg to 67mmHg in the other 31 % of patients, and they underwent rescue ECMO with the P/F ratio rising to 261.6mmHg. The P/F ratio continued to improve in HFPV patients, while it declined in ECMO patients, such that at 24 h, the P/F ratio was greater in HFPV patients. The strongest independent predictor of failure of HFPV requiring rescue VV ECMO was a lower pO2 (p = .055). Overall in-hospital survival (59.4 %) was similar to that expected with upfront ECMO (RESP score: 57 %). CONCLUSIONS: HFPV demonstrated significant and sustained improvements in gas exchange and may obviate the need for ECMO and its associated complications.

Outcomes and Direct Cost of Isolated Nonemergent CABG in Patients With Low Ejection Fraction.

OBJECTIVE: Preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is one of the main predictors of outcomes in cardiac surgery. We present current era outcomes and associated direct cost in nonemergent isolated coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) patients with LVEF <20% over the past 6 years and compare it with higher EF subgroups. METHODS: Six-year data from 2016 to 2022 at hospitals sharing Society of Thoracic Surgeons and financial data with Biome Analytics were analyzed based on 3 EF subgroups (EF ≤20%, EF 21% to 35%, and EF >35%). Outcomes and costs were assessed. RESULTS: Overall 30-day mortality of 12,649 patients was 1.9%. The EF ≤20% (n = 248), EF 21% to 35% (n = 1,408), and EF >35 (n = 10,993) cohorts had mortality of 6.9%, 3.7%, and 1.6%, respectively. The EF ≤20% subgroup had higher use of cardiopulmonary bypass, blood products, and mechanical support. In addition, the EF ≤20% subgroup had higher complication rates in almost all measured categories. Also, the EF ≤20% cohort had significantly higher length of stay, intensive care unit (ICU) hours, ICU and hospital readmissions, and lowest discharge to home rate. The strongest factors associated with mortality were postoperative cardiac arrest, renal failure requiring dialysis, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, sepsis, prolonged ventilation, and gastrointestinal event. The overall median direct cost of care was $37,387.79 ($27,605.18, $51,720.96), with a median direct cost of care in the EF ≤20%, EF 21% to 35%, and EF >35% subgroups of $52,500.17 ($34,103.52, $80,806.79), $44,108.32 ($31,597.58, $63,788.03), and $36,521.80 ($27,168.91, $50,019.31), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In nonemergent isolated CABG surgery, low EF continues to have higher surgical risks and higher direct cost of care despite advances in cardiovascular care.

Cautionary tale of right ventricular perforation during Micra™ leadless pacemaker insertion.

Transcatheter pacing systems are self-contained, leadless, devices that offer the potential benefits of avoiding complications related to pectoral pocket and upper extremity vascular access. These systems in preapproval trials demonstrated excellent safety profile with the incidence of device-related cardiac perforation as low as 1.6% with Micra™ (Medtronic) and 1.3% in Nanostim (Abbott). In post-approval registry of Micra™ TPS, the rate of major complications was even lower than in the investigational study ranging from 0.63% to 0.77%. Recently, published report found much higher rates of need for rescue surgery, shock, tamponade, and death among patients implanted with the Micra™ device when compared with transvenous devices. This case report describes two cases of major right ventricular perforation requiring surgical intervention.

Meta-Analysis of the Effect of Vascular Complications on Mortality in Patients Undergoing Femoral Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has become an accepted treatment modality in the management of select patients with cardiopulmonary failure. As a result, its use has increased significantly over the past decade. However, the effect of complications on mortality is not clearly established. We performed a comprehensive, up-to-date meta-analysis of peer-reviewed literature focusing on the effect of vascular complications (VCs) on the survival of patients receiving venoarterial ECMO (VA-ECMO) with femoral cannulation. METHODS: A systematic search of 4 different databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science) was conducted from their inception to mid-September of 2019. To keep the pooled analysis current, only studies published within the past 5 years were included. Mortality was analyzed based on presence or absence of VCs. Studies with less then 10 patients, with incomplete mortality data, and not accessible in the English language were excluded. RESULTS: Ten studies were included in the analysis encompassing 1,643 patients over a 5-year period. There were 369 patients with a cumulative VC rate of 22.5% (range 9.4 to 43.9%). The pooled mortality rate for patients with and without VCs was 69.6% and 56.8%, respectively. Meta-analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between VCs and mortality with a relative risk (RR) of 1.36 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.15-1.60; P = 0.0004). Covariate-adjusted meta-regression analysis revealed an inverse relationship between age and mortality for VCs, with an RR of 1.33 (95% CI, 1.15-1.54; P = 0.0184), and direct relationship between female gender and mortality from VCs, RR 1.39 (95% CI, 1.21-1.59; P = 0.0165). CONCLUSIONS: The most recently available data published in the literature demonstrate a significant correlation of VCs with mortality. Therefore, aggressive attempts should be made to minimize VCs in patients with femoral VA-ECMO cannulation.

Renal replacement therapy in patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support: Who and how.

Patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support frequently develop renal failure requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT). RRT may be performed via a dialysis catheter based approach or via the ECMO circuit. We describe our experience with both techniques. A total of 68 patients undergoing ECMO support at our institution were retrospectively analyzed. Predictors of renal failure requiring RRT were determined. Patients undergoing RRT via a dialysis catheter were compared with those undergoing RRT via the ECMO circuit. 10 of the 68 patients required RRT support prior to ECMO. Of the remaining 58 patients, 25 (43%) required new RRT support on ECMO. Lower albumin levels and postcardiotomy shock were predictive of new renal failure requiring RRT on ECMO. RRT performed via the ECMO circuit demonstrated similar efficacy as via a dialysis catheter. Outcomes were much worse for patients requiring new RRT on ECMO support, with a doubling of the length of ECMO support and less that one-third the survival rate of patients not requiring RRT on ECMO support. New renal failure requiring RRT occurs in nearly one-half of patients on ECMO support, with poor outcomes. RRT may be performed via the ECMO circuit with similar efficacy as via a dialysis catheter.

A comparison of existing risk prediction models in patients undergoing venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing consideration for venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) require an immediate risk profile assessment in the setting of incomplete information. A number of survival prediction models for critically ill patients and patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery or institution of VA-ECMO support have been designed. We assess the ability of these models to predict outcomes in a cohort of patients undergoing institution of VA-ECMO for cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest. METHODS: Fifty-one patients undergoing institution of VA-ECMO support were retrospectively analyzed. APACHE II, SOFA, SAPS II, Encourage, SAVE, and ACEF scores were calculated. Their ability to predict outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: Indications for ECMO support included postcardiotomy shock (25%), ischemic etiologies (39%), and other etiologies (36%). Pre-ECMO arrest occurred in 73% and 41% of patients underwent cannulation during arrest. Survival to discharge was 39%. Three survival prediction model scores were significantly higher in nonsurvivors to discharge than surivors; the Encourage score (25.4 vs 20; p = .04), the APACHE II score (23.6 vs 19.2; p = .05), and the ACEF score (3.1 vs 1.8; p = .03). In ROC analysis, the ACEF score demonstrated the greatest predictive ability with an AUC of 0.7. CONCLUSIONS: A variety of survival prediction model scores designed for critically ill ICU and VA-ECMO patients demonstrated modest discriminatory ability in the current cohort of patients. The ACEF score, while not designed to predict survival in critically ill patients, demonstrated the best discriminatory ability. Furthermore, it is the simplest to calculate, an advantage in the emergent setting.

Early Structural Deterioration of a Sutureless Bioprosthetic Aortic Valve.

Sutureless bioprosthetic valves such as the Sorin Perceval S valve (SPV) have been used in patients with aortic stenosis that require surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). These prostheses have been marketed on the basis of their rapid implantation techniques with avoidance of sutures and reduced aortic cross-clamp times. We report a case of an early failure of a SPV nearly 4 years after implantation in a 58-year-old woman who was low-risk. While the patient's symptoms initially improved with SAVR with a sutureless bioprosthetic valve, they progressively worsened as the valve degraded, and the leaflets became increasingly calcified and stenotic ultimately, requiring reoperative SAVR with a St. Jude mechanical valve. This case raises the issue of the lack of much-needed data describing the long-term durability and hemodynamic performance of these valves, particularly in a low-risk patient with excellent functional status. We hope to shed further insight into the lack of long-term studies on patients with SPV to assess their longevity and long-term effectiveness, as well as elucidation of possible prevention and monitoring of these potential complications. The use of newer generation prostheses, although attractive for their ease of implantation, potentially carries higher long-term risk due to shorter durability leading to reintervention to address valve deterioration. This is especially true in low-risk patients who are young and active. Cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery societies need to develop a universal registry with follow-up of all valves in order to track and study the durability of these valves, and to evaluate for incidence of known and potential complications.

The Effect of Acute Limb Ischemia on Mortality in Patients Undergoing Femoral Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life-saving modality increasingly used in the management cardiopulmonary failure. However, ECMO itself is not without major complications. Mortality remains high, and morbidity such as stroke, renal failure, and acute limb threatening ischemia (ALI) are common among surviving patients. We analyzed the effect of one of these complications, ALI, on the survival of patients receiving venoarterial ECMO (VA ECMO) with femoral cannulation. METHODS: Patients with cardiopulmonary failure supported by VA ECMO inserted through femoral cannulation at two institutions from December 2010 to December 2017 were enrolled in this study. Data were collected retrospectively. Our primary outcome was ALI and its effect on hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included six-month mortality, length of hospital stay, and other complications (stroke and renal failure); multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of ALI and hospital mortality. RESULTS: There were 71 patients included in this study. The overall VA ECMO hospital mortality was 53.5%. ALI was seen in 14 (19.7%) patients. Of these, four (5.6%) patients had fasciotomy, four patients (5.6%) had thrombectomy, and one underwent arterial repair (1.4%). Five additional patients (7.0%) with ALI expired and had no vascular intervention. None of the demographic and clinical characteristics significantly correlated with ALI except for stroke and renal failure requiring new-onset hemodialysis (HD). The rate of hospital and 6-month mortality in patients with and without vascular complications were 78.6%, 92.3% and 47.4%, 57.4%, respectively (P = 0.042 and P = 0.023). Multivariate analysis correlated hospital and six-month mortality with ALI, stroke, and new-onset HD. CONCLUSIONS: ALI correlates with higher mortality in VA ECMO patients with femoral cannulation. Although some of the contributing factors to mortality in these patients are related to the consequences of cardiopulmonary failure, strong efforts should be made to avoid ALI after femoral VA ECMO cannulation.

High-Frequency Percussive Ventilation Rescue Therapy in Morbidly Obese Patients Failing Conventional Mechanical Ventilation.

BACKGROUND: Morbidly obese patients with respiratory failure who do not improve on conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) often undergo rescue therapy with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). We describe our experience with high-frequency percussive ventilation (HFPV) as a rescue modality. METHODS: In a retrospective analysis from 2009 to 2016, 12 morbidly obese patients underwent HFPV after failing to wean from CMV. Data were collected regarding demographics, cause of respiratory failure, ventilation settings, and hospital course outcomes. Our end point data were pre- and post-HFPV partial pressure of arterial oxygen and PaO2 to fraction of inspired oxygen (PF) ratios measured at initiation, 2, and 24 hours. RESULTS: Twelve morbidly obese patients required HFPV for respiratory failure. Causes of respiratory failure overlapped and included cardiogenic pulmonary edema (n = 8), pneumonia (n = 5), septic shock (n = 5), and asthma (n = 1). After HFPV initiation, mean fraction of inspired oxygen FiO2 was tapered from 98% to 82% and 66% at 2 and 24 hours, respectively. Mean PaO2 increased from 60.9 mm Hg before HFPV to 175.1 mm Hg (P < .05) at initiation of HFPV, then sustained at 129.5 mm Hg (P < .05) and 88.1 mm Hg (P < .005) at 2 and 24 hours, respectively. Mean PF ratio improved from 66.1 before HFPV to 180.3 (P < .05), 181.0 (P < .05) and 148.9 (P < .0005) at initiation, 2, and 24 hours, respectively. The improvement in mean PaO2 and PF ratios was durable at 24 hours whether or not the patient was returned to CMV (n = 10) or remained on HFPV (n = 2). Survival to discharge was 66.7%. CONCLUSION: In our cohort of morbidly obese patients, HFPV was successfully utilized as a rescue therapy precluding the need for ECMO. Despite our small sample size, HFPV should be considered as a rescue therapy in morbidly obese patients failing CMV prior to the initiation of ECMO. Our retrospective analysis supports consideration for HFPV as another form of rescue therapy for obese patients with refractory hypoxemia and respiratory failure who are not improving with CMV.

Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction From Preserved Leaflet After Mitral Valve Replacement.

Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) can be caused by multiple factors. One of the rare causes of LVOTO is preserved anterior mitral valve leaflet and chordal apparatus after mitral valve replacement. We describe a case of a patient with worsening chronic congestive heart failure secondary to LVOTO from systolic anterior motion of residual native anterior mitral leaflet. In this patient, LVOTO was surgically corrected by excision of anterior leaflet and chordal apparatus through the aortic root.

A Simple Scoring System to Predict Survival after Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Patients undergoing consideration for venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) require an immediate risk profile assessment in the setting of incomplete or no information. A retrospective cohort study of 100 patients undergoing VA ECMO placement at three institutions was carried out. Variables strongly associated with survival to discharge were used to calculate a risk stratification score. Indications for VA ECMO support included postcardiotomy shock (24%), ischemic etiologies (33%), nonischemic cardiomyopathy (32%), and other etiologies (11%). Pre-VA ECMO arrest occurred in 69%, and 30% of patients underwent cannulation during arrest. Survival to discharge was 38%. Three variables demonstrated a strong trend toward predicting survival to discharge: lactate >10 mmol/L (p = .054), albumin <3 g/dL (p = .062), and platelet count <180 K/uL (p = .064), and these variables were included in a scoring system. The extremes of age and duration of pre-VA ECMO ventilation were associated with a dismal prognosis and were also included. These five variables were used to construct a mortality prediction score. A score of 0 was associated with 10% expected mortality, whereas a score of 4+ was associated with 100% expected mortality. Mortality increased in a stepwise fashion with increasing scores. The expected mortality closely paralleled the observed mortality. A simple scoring system composed of easily collected variables may help predict mortality. However, it is not intended to replace an experienced clinician's judgment, but to enhance it.

Convergent ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation: Single center experience.

BACKGROUND: Endocardial catheter ablation has been shown to be effective in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF), and significantly less effective in patients with persistent AF (PAF). Lately, there is a trend toward a hybrid approach in the treatment of PAF that may be a more durable treatment for patients with PAF. In this manuscript we report our experience with the convergent ablation procedure in a PAF cohort. METHODS: This is a single center retrospective analysis of 31 patients with PAF who underwent the convergent procedure. All patients underwent surgical epicardial ablation of the posterior left atrial through a subxiphoid approach, followed by radiofrequency endocardial ablations on the same day. Patients were followed at 6 months intervals with static electrocardiograms or implanted devices. RESULTS: Sinus rhythm was achieved intraoperatively in all patients. Recurrence was defined according to Hearlt Rhythm Society definitions. At a median follow up of 17.7 months (IQR 11-24), the recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia (AF and atrial flutter) by Kaplan-Meier event free survival analysis occurred in 9 (29%) patients at 1-year follow up and 15 (48%) patients at 2-year follow up with or without the use of antiarrhythmic drugs. Recurrence of AF alone occurred in 4 (13%) patients at 1-year follow up and 9 (29%) patients at 2-year follow up patients. Complication rate in perioperative period was 12.9%. CONCLUSION: Our experience showed the hybrid procedure is a relatively safe and effective option for patients with PAF. Further studies are needed to better determine its long-term outcomes.

Distal Perfusion Cannulation and Limb Complications in Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

The utility of distal perfusion cannula (DPC) placement for the prevention of limb complications in patients undergoing femoral venoarterial (VA) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is poorly characterized. Patients undergoing femoral VA ECMO cannulation at two institutions were retrospectively assessed. Patients were grouped into those who did and those who did not receive a DPC at the time of primary cannulation. The primary outcome was any limb complication. Secondary outcomes included successfully weaning ECMO and in-hospital mortality. A total of 75 patients underwent femoral cannulation between December 2010 and December 2017. Of those, 65 patients (86.7%) had a DPC placed during primary cannulation and 10 patients (13.3%) did not. Baseline demographics, indications for ECMO, and hemodynamic perturbations were well matched between groups. The rate of limb complications was 14.7% (11/75) for the overall cohort and did not differ between groups (p = .6). Three patients (4%) required a four-compartment fasciotomy for compartment syndrome in the DPC group; no patients without a DPC required fasciotomy. Of the three patients who required a thrombectomy for distal ischemia, two were in the DPC group and one was in the no-DPC group (p = .3). Two patients (2.7%) underwent delayed DPC placement for limb ischemia with resolution of symptoms. The in-hospital morality rate was 59.5% and did not differ between groups (p = .5). Patients in the present study, undergoing femoral VA ECMO without preemptive DPC placement did not experience a higher rate of limb complications. However, the two patients who underwent delayed DPC placement for post-cannulation ischemia experienced resolution of symptoms, suggesting that a DPC may be used as an effective limb salvage intervention.

Endovascular Management of Tracheo-Subclavian Fistula.

Tracheoarterial fistula is a rare complication of tracheostomy with an incidence of less than 1%. Survival of this disease entity is low, and it likely results from a major open operation in a high-risk surgical group. In our review of the literature, a tracheoinnominate artery fistula is the most commonly reported arterial fistula. However, we present a rare case of tracheo-left subclavian artery fistula. We have identified 1 previous case of tracheo-left subclavian fistula as a source of massive tracheal bleeding. In our case report, we describe the successful management of this disease by endograft placement. Owing to its rarity, there are no guidelines on the management approach to tracheoarterial fistulas, but given the difficulty of controlling this problem via median sternotomy, the placement of a covered stent may be the best therapy. Initially, case reports showed a role for endograft placement as a temporizing measure, but the risk of infection may be sufficiently low to justify this approach as a definitive therapy. Upon a 6-month follow-up, our patient remains without recurrence of bleeding or infection, and computed tomography angiography of the chest with 3D reconstruction has shown patency of the endovascular stent with resolution of the associated pseudoaneurysm.

High-Frequency Percussive Ventilation Facilitates Weaning from Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Adults.

Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is an invaluable rescue therapy for patients suffering from cardiopulmonary arrest, but it is not without its drawbacks. There are cases where patients recover their cardiac function, yet they fail to wean to mechanical conventional ventilation (MCV). The use of high-frequency percussive ventilation (HFPV) has been described in patients with acute respiratory failure (RF) who fail MCV. We describe our experience with five patients who underwent VA-ECMO for cardiopulmonary arrest who were successfully weaned from VA-ECMO with HFPV after failure to wean with MCV. Weaning trials of HFPV a day before decannulation or at the time of separation from VA-ECMO were conducted. Primary endpoint data collected include pre- and post-HFPV partial pressures of oxygen (PaO2) and PaO2/FIO2 (P/F) ratios measured at 2 and 24 hours after institution of HFPV. Additional periprocedural data points were collected including length of time on ECMO, hospital stay, and survival to discharge. Four of five patients were placed on VA-ECMO subsequent to percutaneous coronary intervention. One patient had cardiac arrest secondary to RF. Mean PaO2 (44 ± 15.9 mmHg vs. 354 ± 149 mmHg, p < .01) and mean P/F ratio (44 ± 15.9 vs. 354 ± 149, p < .01) increased dramatically at 2 hours after the initiation of HFPV. The improvement in mean PaO2 and P/F ratio was durable at 24 hours whether or not the patient was returned to MCV (n = 3) or remained on HFPV (n = 2) (44 ± 15.9 mmHg vs. 131 ± 68.7 mmHg, p = .036 and 44 ± 15.9 vs. 169 ± 69.9, p < .01, respectively). Survival to discharge was 80%. The data presented suggest that HFPV may be used as a strategy to shorten time on ECMO, thereby reducing the negative effects of the ECMO circuit and improving its cost efficacy.

The use of high-frequency percussive ventilation after cardiac surgery significantly improves gas exchange without impairment of hemodynamics.

OBJECTIVE: Respiratory failure represents a significant source of morbidity and mortality for surgical patients. High-frequency percussive ventilation (HFPV) is emerging as a potentially effective rescue therapy in patients failing conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV). Use of HFPV is often limited by concerns for potential effects on hemodynamics, which is particularly tenuous in patients immediately after cardiac surgery. In this manuscript we evaluated the effects of HFPV on gas exchange and cardiac hemodynamics in the immediate postoperative period after cardiac surgery, in comparison with CMV. METHODS: Twenty-four consecutive cardiac surgery patients were ventilated in immediate postoperative period with HFPV for two to four hours, then they switched to a CMV using the adaptive support ventilation mode for weaning. Arterial blood gases were performed during the first and second hour on HFPV, and at 45 minutes after initiation of CMV. Respiratory settings and invasive hemodynamic data (mixed venous oxygen saturation, central venous pressure, systemic and pulmonary blood pressure, cardiac output and index) were collected utilizing right heart pulmonary catheter and arterial lines during HFPV and CMV. Primary outcome was improvement in the ratio between partial pressure of oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen (P/F ratio) and changes in hemodynamics. RESULTS: Analysis of data for 24 patients revealed a significantly better P/F ratio during the first and second hour on HFPV, compared with a P/F ratio on CMV (420.0 ± 158.8, 459.2 ± 138.5, and 260.2 ± 98.5 respectively, p < 0.05), suggesting much better gas exchange on HFPV than on CMV. Hemodynamics were not affected by the mode of the ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: Improvement in gas exchange, reflected in a significantly improved P/F ratio, wasn't accompanied by worsening in hemodynamic parameters. The significant gains in the P/F ratio were lost when patients were switched to conventional ventilation. This data suggest that HFPV provides significantly better gas exchange compared with CMV and can be safely utilized in postoperative cardiac patients without any significant effect on hemodynamics.

Use of High-Frequency Percussive Ventilation to Expand Organ Donor Pool.

A 34-year-old woman was brought in to the emergency department after a motor vehicle accident. She had signs of traumatic head injury with Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3, and her neurological examination was consistent with brain death. She was persistently hypoxic on conventional mechanical ventilation and high-frequency percussive ventilation was initiated. The patient's oxygenation improved and was sustained long enough to provide time for organ procurement. This is the first case portraying high-frequency percussive ventilation as a bridge for donors failing on conventional mechanical ventilation.