The impact of preservation and recovery of renal function on survival after veno-arterial extracorporeal life support: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Veno-arterial extracorporeal life support (V-A ECLS) has become a cornerstone in the management of critical cardiogenic shock, but it can also precipitate organ injury, e.g., acute kidney injury (AKI). Available studies highlight the effect of non-cardiac organ injury on patient outcomes. Only very little is known about the impact of non-cardiac organ recovery on patient survival. AKI occurs frequently during cardiogenic shock and carries a poor prognosis. We have developed descriptive models to hypothesize on the role of AKI severity versus that of recovery of renal function for patient survival. METHODS: Retrospective, observational study including 175 patients who were successfully decannulated from V-A ECLS. We assessed AKI severity using the "Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes" (KDIGO) criteria. We defined recovered or preserved renal function (RPRF) prior to decannulation from V-A ECLS as 0 (AKI with no improvement) or 1 (no AKI or AKI with improvement). We classified patient outcomes as alive or dead at hospital discharge. RESULTS: 78% (n = 138) of all patients survived hospital discharge of which 38% (n = 67) never developed AKI. After adjusting for shock severity and non-renal organ injury, RPRF emerged as an independent predictor of survival in both the overall cohort [OR (95% CI) - 4.11 (1.72-9.79)] and the AKI-only sub-cohort [OR (95% CI) - 5.18 (1.8-14.92)]. Neither maximum KDIGO stage nor KDIGO stage at the end of V-A ECLS was independently associated with survival. CONCLUSIONS: Our model identifies RPRF, but not AKI severity, as an independent predictor of hospital survival in patients undergoing V-A ECLS for cardiogenic shock. We hypothesize that recovered or preserved non-cardiac organ function during V-A ECLS is crucial for patient survival.

The Effect of Segmentation Threshold on Computational Fluid Dynamic Analysis of Nasal Airflow.

BACKGROUND: The objective analysis of nasal airflow stands to benefit greatly from the adoption of computational fluid dynamic (CFD) methodologies. In this emerging field, no standards currently exist in regard to the ideal modeling parameters of the nasal airway. Such standards will be necessary for this tool to become clinically relevant. METHODS: Human nasal airways were modeled from a healthy control, segmented, and analyzed with an in-house immersed boundary method. The segmentation Hounsfield unit (HU) threshold was varied to measure its effect in relation to airflow velocity magnitude and pressure change. FINDINGS: Surface area and volume have a linear relationship to HU threshold, whereas CFD variables had a more complex relationship. INTERPRETATION: The HU threshold should be included in nasal airflow CFD analysis. Future work is required to determine the optimal segmentation threshold.

Optimal, Early Postoperative Management of Cardiac Transplant and Durable Left Ventricular Assist Recipients.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Summarize developments in the early postoperative care of patients undergoing cardiac transplantation or left ventricular assist device implantation. Provide a practical approach with personal insights to highly complex patients at risk for prolonged hospitalization. RECENT FINDINGS: Advancements in technology allow for percutaneous mechanical circulatory support of both the right and left ventricles either isolated or combined via subclavian and neck vessels. Since the adult heart allocation system has been changed to reduce waitlist mortality, the use of temporary mechanical circulatory support has increased. This has influenced preoperative optimization by enabling ambulation and majorly changed postoperative strategy. New doors have been opened for a multidisciplinary approach to facilitate rapid weaning of inotropic medications, limitation of sedation, early liberation from mechanical ventilation, and mobilization. Individualized percutaneous mechanical circulatory support offers new possibilities for the early postoperative management of highly complex patients undergoing cardiac transplantation or durable left ventricular assist device implantation.

Early prediction of transition to durable mechanical circulatory support in patients undergoing peripheral veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for critical cardiogenic shock.

Peripheral veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (pVA-ECMO) has gained increasing value in the management of patients with critical cardiogenic shock (cCS), allowing time for myocardial recovery. Failure of myocardial recovery has life-altering consequences: transition to durable mechanical circulatory support (dMCS), urgent heart transplantation, or withdrawal of support. Clinical factors controlling myocardial recovery under these circumstances remain largely unknown. Using a retrospective cohort, we developed a model for early prediction of transition to dMCS in patients undergoing pVA-ECMO for cCS. To promote myocardial recovery, our clinical management centered around left ventricular pressure unloading, that is, targeting pulmonary capillary wedge pressures (PCWP) ≤18 mm Hg. We collected demographic data, laboratory findings, inotrope use, and two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography measurements, all limited to the first 72h of pVA-ECMO (D1-3). Out of 70 patients who were alive after pVA-ECMO, 27 patients underwent implantation of dMCS. There was no significant difference in survival to hospital discharge between patients with or without transition to dMCS. Ejection fractionD1-3 (per 10% increase, OR 0.37 [0.17-0.79]) and amount of inotropic supportD1-3 (OR 4.77 [1.6-14.18]) but neither myocardial wall tension nor PCWP emerged as significant predictors of transition to dMCS. Optimism-corrected c-index (0.90 [0.89-0.90]) revealed an excellent discriminative ability of our model. In summary, our model for early prediction of transition to dMCS in patients with cCS undergoing pVA-ECMO identifies indicators of inotropic state as relevant factors. Absence of markers for myocardial oxygen consumption or left ventricular pressure loading allows us to hypothesize sufficient cardiac unloading in our cohort with PCWP-targeted management.

Predictors for acute and chronic renal failure and survival in patients supported with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: Renal failure is a common occurrence in patients with refractory cardiogenic shock including those supported with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Prevalence and outcome of acute and chronic kidney failure in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients have not been well documented. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of acute and chronic kidney failure in veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients as well as predictors for survival. METHODS: This is a single center retrospective clinical study. We included adult patients with refractory cardiogenic shock who were supported by veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation between 2008 and 2015. The primary endpoint of the study was acute kidney injury (KDIGO Stage 3) during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and chronic kidney failure requiring renal replacement therapy, 30 and 90 days after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The secondary endpoint was in-hospital survival and 90-day survival. RESULTS: A total of 196 veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients were investigated. In total, 41.8% (82/196) patients had acute renal failure requiring continuous renal replacement therapy during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The 30- and 90-day survival was 55.1% (108/196) and 48.5% (95/196), respectively; 21.3% (23/108) and 11.6% (11/95) patients needed renal replacement therapy after 30 and 90 days, respectively. Predictors for KDIGO Stage 3 renal failure during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation were lactate (p = 0.026) and the number of blood units transfused during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support (p = 0.000). A predictor for renal replacement therapy after 30 and 90 days was an elevated plasma-free hemoglobin level. The in-hospital survival was 54.6% (107/196). Serum lactate of less than 4.3 mmol/L, lower age, plasma-free hemoglobin of ⩽62 mg/dL, low number of blood units transfused during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and the use of an intra-aortic balloon pump were predictors for in-hospital and 90-day survival.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and the role of a heparin-bonded circuit.

BACKGROUND: In patients supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and who develop heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, there is no clear evidence to support changing to a non-heparin-coated extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuit. Our goal was to evaluate clinical outcomes of patients who were continued on heparin-bonded circuits despite diagnosed heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. METHODS: We completed a single-center retrospective study of all patients who underwent extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support from July 2008 to July 2017 and were tested heparin-induced thrombocytopenia positive while on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. After diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, mean platelet count (k/µL) was measured on consecutive days for 14 days. RESULTS: Out of 455 patients, 14 (3.1%) had a diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia by serotonin release assay and systemic heparin treatment was discontinued in every case. In total, 11 of the heparin-induced thrombocytopenia patients (78.6%) survived to discharge. The overall survival of all 455 extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients was 54.1%. Platelets counts after discontinuation of systemic heparin in the heparin-induced thrombocytopenia patients increased from a mean of 59.8 k/µL at time of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia diagnosis to a mean of 280.2 k/µL at 14 days after discontinuation of heparin despite continuation of the heparin-bonded circuit. Platelet count increased in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support after discontinuation of systemic heparin even if maintained on the heparin-bonded circuit. CONCLUSION: Discontinuation of systemic heparin but continuation of heparin-coated extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuits appeared to be an appropriate response for our extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-supported patients who developed heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Survival in this group was not significantly different to those patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation without heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Larger studies should evaluate the safety of heparin-bonded extracorporeal membrane oxygenation systems in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia patients.

Evaluation of Two Femoral Arterial Cannulae With Conventional Non-Pulsatile and Alternative Pulsatile Flow in a Simulated Adult ECLS Circuit.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the hemodynamic characteristics of two femoral arterial cannulae in terms of circuit pressure, pressure drop, and hemodynamic energy transmission under non-pulsatile and pulsatile modes in a simulated adult extracorporeal life support (ECLS) system. The ECLS circuit consisted of i-cor diagonal pump and console (Xenios AG, Heilbronn, Germany), an iLA membrane ventilator (Xenios AG), an 18 Fr or 16 Fr femoral arterial cannula (Xenios AG), and a 23/25 Fr Estech remote access perfusion (RAP) femoral venous cannula (San Ramon, CA, USA). The circuit was primed with lactated Ringer's solution and packed red blood cells to achieve a hematocrit of 35%. All trials were conducted at room temperature with flow rates of 1-4 L/min (1 L/min increments). The pulsatile flow settings were set at pulsatile frequency of 75 bpm and pulsatile amplitudes of 1000-4000 rpm (1000 rpm increments). Flow and pressure data were collected using a custom data acquisition system. Total hemodynamic energy (THE) is calculated by multiplying the ratio between the area under the hemodynamic power curve (∫flow × pressure dt) and the area under the pump flow curve (∫flow dt) by 1332. The pressure drop across the arterial cannula increased with increasing flow rate and decreasing cannula size. The pressure drops of 18 Fr and 16 Fr cannulae were 19.4-24.5 and 38.4-45.3 mm Hg at 1 L/min, 55.2-56.8 and 110.9-118.3 mm Hg at 2 L/min, 94.1-105.1 and 209.7-215.1 mm Hg at 3 L/min, and 169.2-172.6 and 376.4 mm Hg at 4 L/min, respectively. Pulsatile flow created more hemodynamic energy than non-pulsatile flow, especially at lower flow rates. The percentages of THE loss across 18 Fr and 16 Fr cannula were 16.0-18.7 and 27.5-30.8% at 1 L/min, 35.1-35.7 and 52.3-53.8% at 2 L/min, 48.3-50.3 and 67.3-68.4% at 3 L/min and 62.9-63.1 and 79.0% at 4 L/min. The hemodynamic performance of the arterial cannula should be evaluated before use in clinical practice. The pressure drops and percentages of THE loss across two cannulae tested using human blood were higher compared to the manufacturer's data tested using water. The cannula size should be chosen to match the expected flow rate. In addition, this novel i-cor ECLS system can provide non-pulsatile and ECG-synchronized pulsatile flow without significantly increasing the cannula pressure drop and hemodynamic energy loss.

Hemodynamic Evaluation of Avalon Elite Bi-Caval Dual Lumen Cannulas and Femoral Arterial Cannulas.

Translational research is a useful tool to provide scientific evidence for cannula selection during extracorporeal life support (ECLS). The objective of this study was to evaluate four Avalon Elite bi-caval dual lumen cannulas and nine femoral arterial cannulas in terms of flow range, circuit pressure, pressure drop, and hemodynamic energy transmission in a simulated adult ECLS model. A veno-venous ECLS circuit was used to evaluate four Avalon Elite bi-caval dual lumen cannulas (20, 23, 27, and 31 Fr), and a veno-arterial ECLS circuit was used to evaluate nine femoral arterial cannulas (15, 17, 19, 21, and 23 Fr). The two circuits included a Rotaflow centrifugal pump, a Quadrox-D adult oxygenator, and 3/8 in ID tubing for arterial and venous lines. The circuits were primed with lactated Ringer's solution and packed human red blood cells (hematocrit 40%). Trials were conducted at rotational speeds from 1000 to 5000 RPM (250 rpm increments) for each Avalon cannula, and at different flow rates (0.5-7 L/min) for each femoral arterial cannula. Real-time pressure and flow data were recorded for analysis. Small caliber cannulas created higher circuit pressures, higher pressure drops and higher M-numbers compared with large ones. The inflow side of Avalon dual lumen cannula had a significantly higher pressure drop than the outflow side (inflow vs. outflow: 20 Fr-100.2 vs. 49.2 mm Hg at 1.1 L/min, 23 Fr-93.7 vs. 41.4 mm Hg at 1.6 L/min, 27 Fr-102.3 vs. 42.8 mm Hg at 2.6 L/min, 31 Fr-98.1 vs. 44.7 mm Hg at 3.8 L/min). There was more hemodynamic energy lost in the veno-arterial ECLS circuit using small cannulas compared to larger ones (17 Fr vs. 19 Fr vs. 21 Fr at 4 L/min-Medtronic: 71.0 vs. 64.8 vs. 60.9%; Maquet: 71.4 vs. 65.6 vs. 62.0%). Medtronic femoral arterial cannulas had lower pressure drops (Medtronic vs. Maquet at 4 L/min: 17 Fr-121.7 vs. 125.0 mm Hg, 19 Fr-71.2 vs. 73.7 mm Hg, 21 Fr-42.9 vs. 47.4 mm Hg) and hemodynamic energy losses (Medtronic vs. Maquet at 4 L/min: 17 Fr-43.6 vs. 44.4%, 19 Fr-31.0 vs. 31.4%, 21 Fr-20.8 vs. 22.4%) at high flow rates when compared with the Maquet cannulae. The results for this study provided valuable hemodynamic characteristics of all evaluated adult cannulas with human blood in order to guide ECLS cannula selection in clinical practice. Use of larger cannulas are suggested for VV- and VA-ECLS.

In Vitro Hemodynamic Evaluation of an Adult Pulsatile Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation System.

The objective of this study was to evaluate a pulsatile extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) system in terms of hemodynamic energy generation and transmission under various pulsatile amplitudes, flow rates, and pseudopatient pressures in a simulated adult ECMO circuit. Surplus hemodynamic energy (SHE), a measure of the quality of pulsatility, was used to quantify pulsatile flow. The circuit consisted of an i-cor diagonal pump, an adult XLung oxygenator, a 21 Fr Medtronic Biomedicus femoral arterial cannula, a 23/25 Fr Sorin RAP femoral venous cannula, and 3/8 in ID tubing for both arterial and venous lines. The circuit was primed with lactated Ringer's solution and then packed red blood cells (hematocrit 37%). Trials were conducted at 36°C with flow rates of 2-5 L/min (1 L/min increments) under nonpulsatile and pulsatile mode with pulsatile amplitudes of 1000-5000 rpm (1000 rpm increments). The pseudopatient pressure was maintained at 40-100 mm Hg (20 mm Hg increments). Real-time pressure and flow data were recorded for analysis using a custom-made data acquisition system. There was no SHE generated by the pump under nonpulsatile mode. Under pulsatile mode, SHE levels increased with increasing pulsatile amplitude and pseudopatient pressure (P < 0.01) but decreased with increasing flow rate. SHE levels were significantly higher at flow rates of 2-4 L/min. In addition, the XLung oxygenator had acceptable pressure drops (36.1-104.9 mm Hg) and percentages of total hemodynamic energy loss (19.6-43.9%) during all trials. The novel pulsatile ECMO system can create nonpulsatile and pulsatile flow in an adult ECMO model. However, pulsatility gradually weakened with increasing flow rates. Pulsatile amplitude settings were found to have a great impact on pulsatility.

Pressure Support Breaths Triggered by Total Artificial Heart in Invasive and Non-Invasive Mechanical Ventilation.

Because of the risks associated with extended mechanical ventilation, it is desirable to extubate patients as early as possible. However, weaning patients from mechanical ventilation too early has risks associated with it as well. Thus, it is important to note that in the two cases presented here, pressure-supported breaths were falsely triggered by a patient's a Syncardia® total artificial heart (TAH), influencing decisions about weaning the patient from mechanical ventilation.

Evaluation and Comparison of Hemodynamic Performance of Three ECLS Systems in a Simulated Adult Cardiogenic Shock Model.

The objective of this study was to evaluate three commercially available ECLS systems with rotary pumps in terms of circuit pressure, pressure drop, perfusion modes, and hemodynamic energy transmission in a simulated adult cardiogenic shock model. One circuit consisted of a Cardiohelp system, which included a Cardiohelp console and HLS Module Advanced 7.0 tubing set with integrated centrifugal pump and oxygenator. The alternative circuit was composed of a Quadrox-D Adult oxygenator connected in series with either an i-cor diagonal pump and console or a Rotaflow centrifugal pump and console. The circuit was primed with lactated Ringer's solution and packed red blood cells (hematocrit 40%). The trials were conducted at flow rates of 1-5 L/min with pseudo patient pressures of 60 mm Hg and 80 mm Hg. Pulsatile flow was tested when using the i-cor system. Mean pre-oxygenator pressure and pressure drop across ECLS circuit (including oxygenator and arterial tubing) were lower when using the Cardiohelp system as compared to the Rotaflow and i-cor systems (P < 0.01). The i-cor system was able to deliver more hemodynamic energy to the pseudo patient because of its ability to produce pulsatile flow (P < 0.01). The Cardiohelp HLS Module Advanced 7.0 integrated oxygenator had a lower resistance than the Quadrox-D oxygenator. Although the compact Cardiohelp system had a better hemodynamic performance when compared to Rotaflow and i-cor systems, the pulsatile flow of the i-cor system delivered more hemodynamic energy to the pseudo patient. This may render more physiological benefits in high-risk patients on ECLS.

Predicting Survival in Patients Treated With Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation After Myocardial Infarction.

OBJECTIVES: Acute myocardial infarction is the most common cause of cardiogenic shock. Although the number of patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock who were treated with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation increased during the last decade, detailed data on survival are lacking. We sought to analyze covariates that were independently associated with survival in this patient population and to externally validate the newly developed prEdictioN of Cardiogenic shock OUtcome foR Acute myocardial infarction patients salvaGed by venoarterial Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ENCOURAGE) score. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. SETTING: A single academic teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Adult patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock who were supported by venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation from June 2008 to September 2016. INTERVENTIONS: Fourteen individual variables were assessed for their association with the primary endpoint. These variables were prespecified by the study team as being the most likely to affect survival. A receiver operating characteristic analysis was also performed to test the ability of the ENCOURAGE score to predict survival in this patient cohort. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary endpoint of the study was in-hospital survival. A total of 61 patients were included in the analysis. Thirty-seven (60.7%) could be weaned from venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and 36 (59.0%) survived. Survival was significantly higher in patients less than 65 years old (odds ratio, 14.6 [CI, 2.5-84.0]; p = 0.003), whose body mass index was less than 32 kg/m (odds ratio, 5.5 [CI, 1.2-25.4]; p = 0.029) and international normalized ratio was less than 2 (odds ratio, 7.3 [CI, 1.3-40.1]; p = 0.022). In patients where the first lactate drawn was less than 3 mmol/L, the survival was not significantly higher (odds ratio, 4.4 [CI, 0.6-32.6]; p = 0.147). The C-statistic for predicting survival using a modified version of the ENCOURAGE score, which replaced prothrombin activity less than 50% with an international normalized ratio greater than 2, was 0.74 (95% CI, 0.61-0.87). CONCLUSIONS: In this single-center study, several important covariates were associated with improved survival in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock who were supported by venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and the ENCOURAGE score was found to be externally valid for predicting survival to hospital discharge.

Refractory Pulmonary Edema and Upper Body Hypoxemia During Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation-A Case for Atrial Septostomy.

Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) provides mechanical circulatory support for patients with advanced cardiogenic shock, facilitating myocardial recovery and limiting multi-organ failure. In patients with severely limited left ventricular ejection, peripheral VA-ECMO can further increase left ventricular and left atrial pressures (LAP). Failure to decompress the left heart under these circumstances can result in pulmonary edema and upper body hypoxemia, that is, myocardial and cerebral ischemia. Atrial septostomy can decrease LAP in these situations. However, the effects of atrial septostomy on upper body oxygenation remain unknown. After IRB approval, we identified 9 out of 242 adult VA-ECMO patients between January 2011 and June 2016 who also underwent atrial septostomy for refractory pulmonary edema/upper body hypoxemia. We analyzed LAP/pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), right atrial pressures (RAPs), Pa O2 /Fi O2 ratios (blood samples from right radial artery), intrathoracic volume status, and resolution of pulmonary edema before and up to 48 h after septostomy. There were no procedure-related complications. Thirty-day survival was 44%. LAP/PCWP decreased by approximately 40% immediately following septostomy and remained so for at least 24 h. Pa O2 /Fi O2 ratios significantly increased from 0.49 (0.38-2.12) before to 5.35 (3.01-7.69) immediately after septostomy and continued so for 24 h, 6.6 (4.49-10.93). Radiographic measurements also indicated a significant improvement in thoracic intravascular volume status after atrial septostomy. Atrial septostomy reduces LAP and improves upper body oxygenation and intrathoracic vascular volume status in patients developing severe refractory pulmonary edema while undergoing peripheral VA-ECMO. Atrial septostomy therefore appears safe and suitable to reduce the risk of upper body ischemia under these circumstances.

Predictors of Survival for Nonhighly Selected Patients Undergoing Resuscitation With Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation After Cardiac Arrest.

In several case reports and case series, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation during chest compression (CPR) has been shown to be a reasonable tool to improve outcome of patients under resuscitation. Although recommendations for extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) include younger patients with shockable rhythm and short previous CPR-time, it remains unclear if nonhighly selected patients have a similar outcome. Aim of this study was to determine outcome in our nonhighly selected patient population treated with ECPR and investigate possible predictors of survival. We made a retrospective single-center study of adults who underwent ECPR for in-hospital cardiac arrest between June 2008 and September 2016. Outcome and predictors of survival were identified. In this period of time, 59 patients underwent ECPR due to cardiac arrest. Fifteen patients (25.4%) survived discharge of which all had a good neurological outcome (cerebral performance category ≤ 2). Survival to discharge of patients with shockable rhythm (ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia) was 40.7%. Serum lactate ≥ 8, pulseless electrical activity (PEA) or asystole and male gender could be identified as predictors for low survival rate. Age, body mass index, renal replacement-dependent kidney injury had no significant influence on survival outcome. Mean CPR-time was 41.1 minutes (interquartile range, ±29.25 minutes). Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation seems to be a useful tool to improve the outcome of CPR also in nonhighly selected patients when compared with CPR alone and could be considered in patients with refractory cardiac arrest also after longer previous CPR-time. Serum lactate and heart rhythm should be taken into account for patient selection.

Is pulseless electrical activity a reason to refuse cardiopulmonary resuscitation with ECMO support?

BACKGROUND: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation with ECMO support (ECPR) has shown to improve outcome in patients after cardiac arrest under resuscitation. Most current recommendations for ECPR do not include patients with a non-shockable rhythm such as PEA and asystole. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the outcome of 3 patient groups separated by initial rhythm at time of ECMO placement during CPR: asystole, PEA and shockable rhythm. METHODS: We made a retrospective single-center study of adults who underwent ECPR for in-hospital cardiac arrest between June 2008 and January 2017. Outcome and survival were identified in 3 groups of patients regarding to the heart rhythm at the time decision for ECMO support was made: 1. patients with asystole, 2. patients with pulseless electrical activity, 3. patients with a shockable rhythm. RESULT: 63 patients underwent ECPR in the mentioned time frame. Five patients were excluded due to incomplete data. Under the 58 included patients the number of cases for asystole, PEA, shockable rhythm was 7, 21 and 30 respectively. The means of CPR-time in these groups were 37, 41 and 37min. Survival to discharge was 0.0%, 23.8% and 40.0% respectively (p=0.09). All survivors to discharge had a good neurological outcome, defined as cerebral performance category 1or 2. CONCLUSION: Survival to discharge in patients with PEA as initial rhythm at the time of decision for ECPR is 23.8% while no patients with asystole as initial rhythm survived discharge. Patients with PEA should be carefully considered for ECPR.

Survival Outcomes Following the Use of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation as a Rescue Technology in Critically Ill Patients: Results From Pennsylvania 2007-2015.

OBJECTIVE: To examine real-world outcomes of survival, length of stay, and discharge destination, among all adult extracorporeal membrane oxygenation admissions in one state over nearly a decade. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of administrative discharge data. SETTING: State-wide administrative discharge data from Pennsylvania between 2007 and 2015. PATIENTS: All 2,948 consecutive patients billed under a Diagnosis-Related Grouper 3 grouper and in whom a procedural code for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was present, admitted between the beginning of 2007 and the end of 2015 to hospitals regulated by the state of Pennsylvania. Admitting diagnoses were coded as respiratory, cardiac, cardiac arrest, or uncategorized based on administrative data. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Unadjusted in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and discharge destination. Summary statistics and tests of differences by age 65 years or older and by admitting diagnosis were performed. Outcomes by age were plotted using running-mean smoothed graphs. Over the 9-year period, the average observed death rate was 51.7%. Among all survivors, 14.6% went home to self-care and a further 15.2% to home health care. Of all survivors, 43.8% were readmitted within 1 month, and 60.6% within 1 year. Among elderly survivors, readmission rates were 52.3% and 65.5% within 1 month and 1 year, respectively. The likelihood of dying in-hospital increased with age that of being discharged home or to postacute care decreased. CONCLUSIONS: In a "usual clinical practice" setting, short-term outcomes are similar to those observed in clinical trials such as Conventional Ventilation or ECMO for Severe Adult Respiratory Failure, in registries such as extracorporeal life support organization, and in smaller single-site studies. More data on longer term follow-up are needed to allow clinicians to better inform patient selection and care.

Non-Cardiac Symptoms of Moderate to Severe Hypokalemia in a Patient with a Syncardia™ Total Artificial Heart.

The Syncardia™ total artificial heart (TAH) is an option for patients as a bridge to transplant in those who are not candidates for left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) due to right ventricular failure. Postoperative course is highly dependent on volume status and aggressive diuresis is often necessary. One complication from aggressive diuresis is hypokalemia; however, in these patients we tolerate a lower potassium level because cardiac arrhythmias are not a concern.  However, in two separate instances non-cardiac symptoms related to severe hypokalemia occurred. These symptoms included nystagmus in one patient and agitation, tremors, and having an "out-of-body" experience in the other patient. Both these patients had resolution of symptoms with potassium replacement.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Tube in a Syncardia™ Total Artificial Heart.

As a bridge to transplant, the Syncardia™ total artificial heart (TAH) is an option for patients who are not candidates for left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) due to right ventricular failure. The need for nutritional support in these patients is essential for a favorable outcome. Low body mass indexes and albumin levels have been associated with increased morbidity and mortality in cardiac surgery patients [Alverdy 2003]. It is not uncommon for postoperative patients to have difficulty in consuming enough calories after surgery, which is further complicated by a hypermetabolic demand due to surgical stress. Enteral nutrition has typically been favored for gut mucosal integrity and bacterial flora [Alverdy 2003] [Engleman 1999]. We describe the need for prolonged enteral nutritional support in a TAH patient that was accomplished with a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube.

Steroid treatment resolves acute respiratory failure in patient transferred for ECMO.

INTRODUCTION: Space-consuming mediastinal tumors can create respiratory failure. METHODS: We are reporting on a case of mediastinal lymphoma, which created respiratory failure in our patient. IV steroid therapy was used in our patient, who presented with end-stage respiratory failure. RESULTS: Conservative management of our patient was possible without the application of ECMO. CONCLUSIONS: In the right patient population, IV steroid treatment can avoid further deterioration of end-stage respiratory failure.