The Roles of Venopulmonary Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

OBJECTIVES: Concise definitive review of the use of venopulmonary arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-PA ECMO) support in patients with cardiopulmonary failure. DATA SOURCES: Original investigations identified through a PubMed search with search terms "percutaneous right ventricular assist device," "oxy-RVAD," "V-PA ECMO," and "veno-pulmonary arterial ECMO" were reviewed and evaluated for relevance. STUDY SELECTION: Studies that included more than three patients supported with V-PA ECMO were included. DATA EXTRACTION: Clinically relevant data from included studies, including patient-important outcomes, were summarized and discussed. DATA SYNTHESIS: We identified four groups of patients where V-PA ECMO has been studied: acute respiratory distress syndrome, right ventricular dysfunction after left ventricular assist device placement, bridge to lung transplantation, and pulmonary embolism. Most identified works are small, single center, and retrospective in nature, precluding definitive conclusions regarding the efficacy of V-PA ECMO. There have been no clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of V-PA ECMO for any indication. CONCLUSIONS: V-PA ECMO is a promising form of extracorporeal support for patients with right ventricular dysfunction. Future work should focus on identifying the optimal timing and populations for the use of V-PA ECMO.

Stable Ventricular Fibrillation: A Paradigm Rather Than Septal Shift?

Awake patients in ventricular fibrillation is a phenomenon limited to patients who are mechanically supported. We describe a cohort of patients supported by left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) presenting to the emergency department (ED) at a high-volume LVAD center while in awake ventricular fibrillation (VF)/ventricular tachycardia (VT). Among 175 patients reviewed, a total of 19 LVAD patients presented to the ED in awake VF/VT between December 2015 and July 2021. On ED presentation, patients maintained a median mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) of 70 mm Hg with a mean LVAD flow of 3.77 L/minute. ED management included cardioversion in the majority of cases: 58% were defibrillated once, 21% were defibrillated multiple times, 68% received amiodarone, and 21% received lidocaine. Inpatient management included defibrillation, ablation, and antiarrhythmic initiation in 37%, 11%, and 84% of cases, respectively. In total, five patients (26%) died with one death attributed to recurrent VT. Our findings support the short-term tolerability of sustained ventricular arrhythmias in LVAD patients, as evidenced by the maintained MAPs and mental status. Clinical teams, however, should be aware of the potential harbinger for in-hospital mortality heralded by an awake VF/VT presentation.

Right ventricle-specific therapies in acute respiratory distress syndrome: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize knowledge and identify gaps in evidence regarding treatment of right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). DATA SOURCES: We conducted a comprehensive search of MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. STUDY SELECTION: Studies were included if they reported effects of treatments on right ventricular function, whether or not the intent was to modify right ventricular function. DATA EXTRACTION: Data extraction was performed independently and in duplicate by two authors. Data items included the study design, patient population, type of intervention, comparison group, and RV-specific outcomes. DATA SYNTHESIS: Of 1,430 studies screened, 51 studies reporting on 1,526 patients were included. By frequency, the included studies examined the following interventions: ventilator settings (29.4%), inhaled medications (33.3%), extracorporeal life support (13.7%), intravenous or oral medications (13.7%), and prone positioning (9.8%). The majority of the studies were non-randomized experimental studies (53%), with the next most common being case reports (16%). Only 5.9% of studies were RCTs. In total, 27% of studies were conducted with the goal of modifying RV function. CONCLUSIONS: Given the prevalence of RVD in ARDS and its association with mortality, the dearth of research on this topic is concerning. This review highlights the need for prospective trials aimed at treating RV dysfunction in ARDS.

The Role of Echocardiography in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is increasingly used to temporarily support patients in severe circulatory and/or respiratory failure. Echocardiography is a core component of successful ECMO deployment. Herein, we review the role of echocardiography at different phases on extracorporeal support including candidate identification, cannulation, maintenance, complication vigilance, and decannulation. RECENT FINDINGS: During cannulation, ultrasound is used to confirm intended vascular access and appropriate inflow cannula positioning. While on ECMO, echocardiographic evaluation of ventricular loading conditions and hemodynamics, cannula positioning, and surveillance for intracardiac or aortic thrombi is needed for complication mitigation. Echocardiography is crucial during all phases of ECMO use. Specific echocardiographic queries depend on the ECMO type, V-V, or V-A, and the specific cannula configuration strategy employed.

Transthoracic Right Heart Echocardiography for the Intensivist.

BACKGROUND: The impact of critical illness on the right ventricle (RV) can be profound and RV dysfunction is associated with mortality. Intensivists are becoming more facile with bedside echocardiography, however, pedagogy has largely focused on left ventricular function. Here we review measurements of right heart function by way of echocardiographic modalities and list clinical scenarios where the RV dysfunction is a salient feature. MAIN: RV dysfunction is heterogeneously defined across many domains and its diagnosis is not always clinically apparent. The RV is affected by conditions commonly seen in the ICU such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary embolism, RV ischemia, and pulmonary hypertension. Basic ultrasonographic modalities such as 2D imaging, M-mode, tissue Doppler, pulsed-wave Doppler, and continuous Doppler provide clinicians with metrics to assess RV function and response to therapy. CONCLUSION: The right ventricle is impacted by various critical illnesses with substantial mortality and mortality. Focused bedside echocardiographic exams with attention to the right heart may provide intensivists insight into RV function and provide guidance for patient management.

Institutional Experience With Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Massive Pulmonary Embolism: A Retrospective Case Series.

OBJECTIVE: Despite advances in treatment, massive pulmonary embolism (PE) remains associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The role of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) in the setting of massive PE is evolving and includes potential roles both in initial management and as a rescue strategy. DESIGN: Single-center case series that reported demographics and outcomes for patients with massive PE who underwent VA ECMO. SETTING: This investigation was performed at a quaternary referral center with several hospitals throughout the greater Atlanta, GA, area. PARTICIPANTS: The study comprised adult patients (age ≥18 y) admitted to the authors' hospital system. Patients were identified using an internal registry of ECMO patients that contains basic demographic information (age, weight, treatment dates and times, ECMO configuration) and primary diagnosis. INTERVENTIONS: No interventions were performed. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Seventeen patients who met the inclusion criteria were identified, with 16 patients cannulated peripherally and one patient cannulated centrally for VA ECMO. Survival to hospital discharge was 80% for patients who underwent VA ECMO as an initial approach versus 42% for those in whom it was used as a rescue modality. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that patients placed on VA ECMO earlier during their course of massive PE may have improved mortality. Additional investigation is needed to clarify the optimal sequence and timing of therapies surrounding the initiation of VA ECMO in patients with massive PE.

Continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices: Management in the emergency department.

With an increasing number of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) being placed every year, emergency clinicians are increasingly likely to encounter them in their practice. Patients may present to the emergency department (ED) with significant hemodynamic perturbations with an LVAD and it is imperative that emergency clinicians are able to assess and treat conditions contributing to low cardiac output states. This review describes the important aspects of the third generation of LVADs and their complications as well as common management approaches for the emergency physician.

Timing of Intubation and Mortality Among Critically Ill Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients: A Single-Center Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: Increasing time to mechanical ventilation and high-flow nasal cannula use may be associated with mortality in coronavirus disease 2019. We examined the impact of time to intubation and use of high-flow nasal cannula on clinical outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Six coronavirus disease 2019-specific ICUs across four university-affiliated hospitals in Atlanta, Georgia. PATIENTS: Adults with laboratory-confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection who received high-flow nasal cannula or mechanical ventilation. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Among 231 patients admitted to the ICU, 109 (47.2%) were treated with high-flow nasal cannula and 97 (42.0%) were intubated without preceding high-flow nasal cannula use. Of those managed with high-flow nasal cannula, 78 (71.6%) ultimately received mechanical ventilation. In total, 175 patients received mechanical ventilation; 44.6% were female, 66.3% were Black, and the median age was 66 years (interquartile range, 56-75 yr). Seventy-six patients (43.4%) were intubated within 8 hours of ICU admission, 57 (32.6%) between 8 and 24 hours of admission, and 42 (24.0%) greater than or equal to 24 hours after admission. Patients intubated within 8 hours were more likely to have diabetes, chronic comorbidities, and higher admission Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores. Mortality did not differ by time to intubation (≤ 8 hr: 38.2%; 8-24 hr: 31.6%; ≥ 24 hr: 38.1%; p = 0.7), and there was no association between time to intubation and mortality in adjusted analysis. Similarly, there was no difference in initial static compliance, duration of mechanical ventilation, or ICU length of stay by timing of intubation. High-flow nasal cannula use prior to intubation was not associated with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019, neither time from ICU admission to intubation nor high-flow nasal cannula use were associated with increased mortality. This study provides evidence that coronavirus disease 2019 respiratory failure can be managed similarly to hypoxic respiratory failure of other etiologies.

Platelet Dysfunction Diseases and Conditions: Clinical Implications and Considerations.

INTRODUCTION: Platelet diseases and dysfunction are taught early in medical school to all future physicians. Understanding of the coagulation cascade and hemostatic mechanisms has allowed for targeted pharmacological therapies that have been significantly impactful in clinical practice. Platelets are an early participant in hemostasis physiologically and under pathophysiological states. METHODS: A review of literature involving platelet disfunction. RESULTS: Various presentations of platelet diseases and dysfunction challenge clinicians and require a firm understanding of normal platelet function, drugs that mediate or modulate platelet effectiveness, and nonpharmacologic etiologies of platelet diseases and dysfunction with corresponding best practice treatment approaches. CONCLUSION: This review summarizes normal and abnormal states associated with platelets and treatment strategies.

Vasoplegia after cardiopulmonary bypass: A narrative review of pathophysiology and emerging targeted therapies.

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, and cardiopulmonary bypass is a cornerstone in the surgical management of many related disease states. Pathophysiologic changes associated both with extracorporeal circulation and shock can beget a syndrome of low systemic vascular resistance paired with relatively preserved cardiac output, termed vasoplegia. While increased vasopressor requirements accompany vasoplegia, related pathophysiologic mechanisms may also lead to true catecholamine resistance, which is associated with further heightened mortality. The introduction of a second non-catecholamine vasopressor, angiotensin II, and non-specific nitric oxide scavengers offers potential means by which to manage this challenging phenomenon. This narrative review addresses both the definition, risk factors, and pathophysiology of vasoplegia and potential therapeutic interventions.

Emergency Medicine Residents on Electronic Medical Records: Perspectives and Advice.

Given the near-universal implementation of electronic medical records (EMRs) in emergency departments (EDs), emergency medicine (EM) residents spend significant time interfacing with EMRs without any established national curriculum to learn best practices. While EMRs have the potential to increase physician efficiency and improve the quality of documentation, they have also been cited as a factor in physician burnout. Understanding the target audience of the EMR, knowing what and when to chart, and practicing time-saving strategies can streamline the process of charting. We review the literature on the current state of EMR documentation by residents and provide recommendations for best practices.