Long-term cognitive and psychiatric outcomes of acute respiratory distress syndrome managed with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive dysfunction is often reported in patients who have experienced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) therapy is increasingly used to manage ARDS patients in ICU, transforming survival rates. However, few studies have examined cognitive outcomes. METHODS: We examined self-reported cognitive complaints, psychiatric outcomes and neuropsychological test performance in survivors of severe hypoxaemia managed with VV-ECMO, at 18-24 month follow-up, compared with a group of healthy controls. RESULTS: Over 70% of ECMO-treated patients (N = 46) complained of difficulty in at least one aspect of cognition on self-report measures (study 1). However, a much lower frequency of cognitive impairment was found on formal neuropsychological testing (study 2). Mean neuropsychological test scores of the ECMO group (N = 24) did not significantly differ from healthy controls (N = 23) after controlling for depression. Less than 30% of ECMO-treated patients showed impairments in anterograde memory, and deficits on general IQ or executive function were seen in <17% of patients. However, we observed high levels of self-reported anxiety and depression in the ECMO-treated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive outcomes in ECMO-treated patients were generally good, with preserved neuropsychological function in the majority of patients, despite severe hypoxaemia and high rates of self-reported difficulties. However, we saw high levels of mental health symptoms in these patients, highlighting a need for psychological support.

Comparison of vitreous carbon and elgiloy transvenous ventricular pacing leads.

In a randomized prospective study of 150 patients, we compared two porous-tipped, finned leads, one with a vitreous carbon tip (surface area = 12 mm2) and the other with an Elgiloy tip (surface area = 8 mm2). We assessed the acute and chronic stimulation thresholds and the ease of implantation of the two leads. The acute current thresholds for the vitreous carbon and Elgiloy-tipped leads were 1.7 +/- 0.5 (+/- SD) mA vs. 1.1 +/- 0.4 mA (0.25 ms pulse width), 1.3 +/- 0.5 mA vs. 0.9 +/- 0.3 mA (0.5 ms), and 1.0 +/- 0.3 mA vs. 0.8 +/- 0.3 mA (0.75 ms), respectively (P less than 0.0005). Impedance at implantation was 473 +/- 121 ohms and 716 +/- 285 ohms (P less than 0.0005) for the carbon-tipped and Elgiloy-tipped leads, respectively. The R-wave amplitudes were 10.2 +/- 5.1 volts and 6.8 +/- 3.0 volts, respectively (P less than 0.0005). Both leads were easy to implant and showed low stable chronic thresholds from 3 weeks after implantation, at which time the stimulation threshold was 1.9 +/- 1.0 volts vs. 1.5 +/- 0.6 volts with the implanted voltage-variable generators and 1.8 +/- 0.8 mA vs. 1.6 +/- 0.6 mA with the implanted current-variable generators. Reoperation for displacement was required for two of the 87 (2.3%) carbon-tipped and 2 of the 67 (3.2%) Elgiloy-tipped leads. There was no exit block nor any other lead-related complication. We conclude that both leads have similar and satisfactory performance.

Experience with 407 transvenous, finned pacing leads with a sintered porous-surfaced electrode.

Experience with 407 transvenous ventricular finned pacing leads with a sintered porous-surfaced electrode is reported. A low complication rate was encountered: 97% of patients were free from lead-related complications. Four patients (1%) required re-operation: two for lead displacement, one for failure to sense spontaneous ventricular activity and one for exit block. A further patient developed exit block which resolved spontaneously. The vast majority of patients had low chronic stimulation thresholds; for example at six months after implantation, the mean threshold for a group of pacemakers with a pulse duration of 0.5 ms was 1.4 +/- 0.7 V and for another group with a pulse duration of 0.8 ms it was 1.9 +/- 0.7 mA. However, six patients developed a transient high stimulation threshold during the month after implantation, and a high threshold developed in another patient at five months and persisted. Mean acute stimulation and sensing thresholds were satisfactory: 0.7 +/- 0.2 V at 0.5 ms pulse duration and 7.6 +/- 2.4 mV, respectively.