Contrast-induced encephalopathy presenting as acute subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Contrast media induced encephalopathy is a rare complication of contrast administration characterized by non-specific neurological signs and symptoms that may present both clinically and radiolographically as subarachnoid hemorrhage. While there are few reported presentations in the neurology literature after inpatient contrast administration, similar emergency department presentations have not been documented. We describe a patient who presented with encephalopathy and expressive aphasia after outpatient evaluation of an intrathecal analgesia pump who had radiographic imaging consistent with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage. The hyperdensities seen on computed tomography scanning were subsequently identified as residual gadolinium contrast media resulting in allergic encephalopathy in this patient.

Which is better: a miniaturized percutaneous ventricular assist device or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for patients with cardiogenic shock?

The purpose of this study is to compare outcomes associated with the use of Impella and TandemHeart short-term support devices with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy for postinfarction- or decompensated cardiomyopathy-related cardiogenic shock. Between January 2006 and September 2011, 79 patients were supported with either an Impella axial flow pump (n = 7) or a TandemHeart centrifugal pump (n = 11), or with ECMO (n = 61) therapy for cardiogenic shock in a single institution. Pertinent variables and postprocedural events were analyzed in this cohort of patients using a prospectively maintained clinical database. The in-hospital mortality, successful weaning from mechanical circulatory support, bridge to long-term destination support device and heart transplantation, and limb complications did not differ between the 2 groups based on intention-to-treat analysis. Age was the only independent predictor for in-hospital survival. In this cohort of patients, short-term support devices and ECMO achieved comparable results. In the modern era of medical cost restraints, ECMO may be more cost effective for patients with postinfarction- or decompensated cardiomyopathy-related cardiogenic shock. Larger randomized trials may be necessary to further elucidate this topic.

Outcomes of axillary artery side graft cannulation for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety, efficacy, and frequency of side graft axillary artery cannulation for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support and compare it with other cannulation techniques. METHODS: From January 2001 to October 2011, 308 adult patients were supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation at a single center. In 81 patients (26.3%), the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuit was composed of an arterial inflow by a side graft sewn to the axillary artery. Of the 308 patients, 166 (53.9%) underwent femoral arterial cannulation and 61 (19.8%) underwent ascending aortic cannulation The pertinent variables and postprocedural events were retrospectively analyzed in this cohort of patients. RESULTS: The most common complication in the axillary artery group was hyperperfusion syndrome of the ipsilateral upper extremity (n = 20, 24.7%), followed by bleeding from the arterial outflow graft (n = 14, 17.3%). Lower extremity ischemia and fasciotomy were more frequent after femoral arterial cannulation (n = 27, 16%, and n = 18, 10.8%, respectively). The predictors for a poor in-hospital outcome for the entire group of patients were age and postoperative cerebral vascular accident. The cannulation method was not a predictor of in-hospital outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support with side graft axillary artery technique was more frequently associated with hyperperfusion syndrome than other cannulation sites. Lower extremity ischemia and compartment syndrome was more common after femoral arterial cannulation.

Have changes in ECMO technology impacted outcomes in adult patients developing postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock?

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) technology has undergone several advancements over the last decade. We sought to compare current ECMO technology to older ones to determine how these technological improvements have impacted outcomes in patients suffering from postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock (PCS). Between 2005 and 2010, 49 patients received ECMO as support for PCS following elective cardiac surgery. Patients were divided into three groups. Group 1 (Gp 1, n = 11) patients received a Biomedicus pump with an Affinity oxygenator, Group 2 (Gp 2, n = 11) patients received a Biomedicus pump with a Quadrox D oxygenator, and Group 3 (Gp 3, n = 27) patients received a Rotaflow pump with a Quadrox D oxygenator. Groups were compared with regards to adverse events and ability to wean. Adverse event analysis showed no statistically significant difference between groups in incidence of stroke (p = 0.08), renal failure (p = 0.88), or bleeding requiring reexploration (p = 0.10). Changes in technology did little to improve weaning rates from ECMO (Gp 1 = 63.6%, Gp 2 = 45.5%, and Gp 3 = 55.6%). Similar trends were detected in hospital survival (Gp 1 = 27.3%, Gp 2 = 27.3%, and Gp 3 = 33.3%). Technology did impact oxygenator durability with Gp 1 requiring seven (63.6%) oxygenator exchanges compared to zero (0.0%) in Gp 2 and two (7.4%) in Gp 1. While advancements in ECMO technology have resulted in improved oxygenator durability, outcomes in patients requiring such support for PCS continue to be poor.