Perioperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support for pulmonary endarterectomy: A 17-year experience from the UK national cohort.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) is the guideline-recommended treatment for patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). However, some patients develop severe cardiopulmonary compromise before surgery, intraoperatively, or early postoperatively. This may result from advanced CTEPH, reperfusion pulmonary edema, massive endobronchial bleeding, or right ventricular (RV) failure secondary to residual pulmonary hypertension. Conventional cardiorespiratory support is ineffective when these complications are severe. Since 2005, we used extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a rescue therapy for this group. We review our experience with ECMO support in these patients. METHODS: This study was a retrospective analysis of patients who received perioperative ECMO for PEA from a single national center from August 2005 to July 2022. Data were prospectively collected. RESULTS: One hundred and ten patients (4.7%) had extreme cardiorespiratory compromise requiring perioperative ECMO. Nine were established on ECMO before PEA. Of those who received ECMO postoperatively, 39 were for refractory reperfusion lung injury, 20 for RV failure, 31 for endobronchial bleeding, and the remaining 11 were for "other" reasons, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation following late tamponade and aspiration pneumonitis. Sixty-two (56.4%) were successfully weaned from ECMO. Fifty-seven patients left the hospital alive, giving a salvage rate of 51.8%. Distal disease (Jamieson Type III) and significant residual pulmonary hypertension were also predictors of mortality on ECMO support. Overall, 5- and 10-year survival in patients who were discharged alive following ECMO support was 73.9% (SE: 6.1%) and 58.2% (SE: 9.5%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative ECMO support has an appropriate role as rescue therapy for this group. Over 50% survived to hospital discharge. These patients had satisfactory longer-term survival.

Successful thrombolysis of early bioprosthetic mitral valve thrombosis following extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: Case report.

Introduction: Bioprosthetic mitral valve thrombosis (BPMVT) following post-operative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a rare complication with high mortality.Case Report: A 75-year-old man with a flail posterior mitral leaflet underwent a bioprosthetic mitral valve replacement and was subsequently placed on central veno-arterial high flow ECMO following intractable shock after protamine administration. He developed BPMVT over the following 48 hr, which did not resolve with 3 weeks of systemic heparin. He was then treated successfully with 3 days of continuous low dose (1 mg/hr) Tissue Plasminogen Activator (TPA). He suffered no bleeding consequences and had a complete cardiac and end-organ recovery.Discussion: Slow TPA infusion may be an acceptable treatment strategy for alleviating thrombotic burden from a bioprosthetic valve, even in the post-operative setting.

Mechanisms of Acute Right Ventricular Injury in Cardiothoracic Surgical and Critical Care Settings: Part 2.

The right ventricle (RV) is intricately linked in the clinical presentation of critical illness; however, the basis of this is not well-understood and has not been studied as extensively as the left ventricle. There has been an increased awareness of the need to understand how the RV is affected in different critical illness states. In addition, the increased use of point-of-care echocardiography in the critical care setting has allowed for earlier identification and monitoring of the RV in a patient who is critically ill. The first part of this review describes and characterizes the RV in different perioperative states. This second part of the review discusses and analyzes the complex pathophysiologic relationships between the RV and different critical care states. There is a lack of a universal RV injury definition because it represents a range of abnormal RV biomechanics and phenotypes. The term "RV injury" (RVI) has been used to describe a spectrum of presentations, which includes diastolic dysfunction (early injury), when the RV retains the ability to compensate, to RV failure (late or advanced injury). Understanding the mechanisms leading to functional 'uncoupling' between the RV and the pulmonary circulation may enable perioperative physicians, intensivists, and researchers to identify clinical phenotypes of RVI. This, consequently, may provide the opportunity to test RV-centric hypotheses and potentially individualize therapies.

Early experience with pulmonary endarterectomy in Bulgaria-case series.

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a condition that limits the quality of life and life expectancy. The predicted mortality at 1 year is estimated at 30-40% without treatment. Of the types of PAH, chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is most amenable to treatment and guidelines recommend pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) surgery for 'operable' patients (where disease is found in the proximal pulmonary vessels). Traditionally these patients were referred to a European centre with the complexities of international travel, pre- and post-operative care, and funding. We sought to establish a national PEA programme to serve the Bulgarian population and avoid some of the problems of international healthcare. Case Description: A total of 11 patients underwent PEA in 2 cardiac centres in Bulgaria (Acibadem Hospital and Government Hospital Lozenetz Sofia). The age of patients ranged from 22 to 80. The preoperative pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) ranged from 309 to 1,906 dynes/sec/cm-5. For the surviving patients the average PVR reduction was 615 dynes/sec/cm-5 at 6 months, the average intensive care unit (ICU) stay 6.7 days, and hospitalisation 15.2 days. Nine out of 11 patients survived to hospital discharge and 6 months follow, all with normalised PVR and exercise tolerance. Conclusions: We present our results of initial experience with PEA in Bulgaria with encouraging results. Our work shows that inter-European relationship for healthcare can be productive and offer safe treatment on local level.

Thrombotic risk in central venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation post cardiac surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Post-cardiotomy cardiogenic shock is an accepted indication for venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The true incidence and risk factors for the development of thrombosis in this setting remain unclear. METHODS: Patients supported with central venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation due to ventricular dysfunction precluding weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass were retrospectively identified. Electronic records from a single institution spanning a 4-year period from January 2015 to December 2018 were interrogated to assess the incidence of thrombosis. The relationship to exposures including intracardiac stasis and procoagulant usage was explored. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients met the inclusion criteria and six suffered major intracardiac thrombosis. All cases of thrombosis occurred early, and none survived to hospital discharge. The lack of left ventricular ejection conferred a 46% risk of developing thrombosis compared to 0% if ejection was maintained (p = 0.0093). Aprotinin use was also associated with thrombus formation (p = 0.035). There were no significant differences between numbers of patients receiving other procoagulants when grouped by thrombosis versus no thrombosis. CONCLUSION: Stasis is the predominant risk factor for intracardiac thrombosis. This occurs rapidly and the outcome is poor. As a result, we suggest early left ventricular decompression. Conventional management of post-bypass coagulopathy seems safe if the aortic valve is opening.

Impact of surgical technique and analgesia on clinical outcomes after lung transplantation: A STROBE-compliant cohort study.

There is paucity of data on the impact of surgical incision and analgesia on relevant outcomes.A retrospective STROBE-compliant cohort study was performed between July 2007 and August 2017 of patients undergoing lung transplantation. Gender, age, indication for lung transplantation, and the 3 types of surgical access (Thoracotomy (T), Sternotomy (S), and Clamshell (C)) were used, as well as 2 analgesic techniques: epidural and intravenous opioids. Outcome variables were: pain scores; postoperative hemorrhage in the first 24 hours, duration of mechanical ventilation, and length of stay at intensive care unit (ICU).Three hundred forty-one patients were identified. Thoracotomy was associated with higher pain scores than Sternotomy (OR 1.66, 95% CI: 1.01; 2.74, P: .045) and no differences were found between Clamshell and Sternotomy incision. The median blood loss was 800 mL [interquartile range (IQR): 500; 1238], thoracotomy patients had 500 mL [325; 818] (P < .001). Median durations of mechanical ventilation in Thoracotomy, Sternotomy, and Clamshell groups were 19 [11; 37] hours, 34 [IQR 16; 57.5] hours, and 27 [IQR 15; 50.5] hours respectively. Thoracotomy group were discharged earlier from ICU (P < .001).Thoracotomy access produces less postoperative hemorrhage, duration of mechanical ventilation, and lower length of stay in ICU, but higher pain scores and need for epidural analgesia.

Deprescribing practices for anticonvulsants after benign seizures secondary to high-dose tranexamic acid in a single, large UK cardiothoracic centre.

OBJECTIVE: High-dose tranexamic acid (TXA) can cause seizures in patients who have undergone pulmonary endarterectomy (PTE). Seizures secondary to TXA will resolve once the drug is excreted from the body, and the patients do not have to be on long-term anticonvulsants. The aim of the study is to find out if medication review in the hospital has led to deprescribing of anticonvulsants for TXA-associated seizures on discharge from the critical care unit (CCU) and hospital. METHODS: This is a single-centre retrospective study conducted at a tertiary cardiothoracic hospital between 2012 and 2017. The inclusion criteria consisted of all adult patients who have undergone PTE surgery. Patients who were started on anticonvulsants preoperatively or postoperatively for seizures secondary to organic causes were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 933 patients underwent PTE from January 2012 to August 2017. 25 patients had TXA-related seizures postoperatively and were started on anticonvulsant therapy, giving an incidence of 2.7%. 15 patients were discharged from the CCU without anticonvulsants. A further three patients had their anticonvulsants deprescribed in the ward before being discharged from the hospital. CONCLUSION: Deprescribing of anticonvulsants after benign seizures secondary to high-dose TXA is facilitated by verbal and written handover, which can be improved in our hospital. A detailed handover summary, as well as a discharge letter with clearly defined instructions for drug review, is needed to make deprescribing a more robust process.

Regional extracorporeal membrane oxygenation retrieval service during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic: an interdisciplinary team approach to maintain service provision despite increased demand.

OBJECTIVES: Coronavirus disease 2019 is a new contagious disease that has spread rapidly across the world. It is associated with high mortality in those who develop respiratory complications and require admission to intensive care. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a supportive therapy option for selected severely ill patients who deteriorate despite the best supportive care. During the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, extra demand led to staff reorganization; hence, cardiac surgery consultants joined the ECMO retrieval team. This article describes how we increased service provisions to adapt to the changes in activity and staffing. METHODS: The data were collected from 16 March 2020 to 8 May 2020. The patients were referred through a dedicated Web-based referral portal to cope with increasing demand. The retrieval team attended the referring hospital, reviewed the patients and made the final decision to proceed with ECMO. RESULTS: We reported 41 ECMO retrieval runs during this study period. Apart from staffing changes, other retrieval protocols were maintained. The preferred cannulation method for veno-venous ECMO was drainage via the femoral vein and return to the right internal jugular vein. There were no complications reported during cannulation or transport. CONCLUSIONS: Staff reorganization in a crisis is of paramount importance. For those with precise transferrable skills, experience can be gained quickly with appropriate supervision. Therefore, the team members were selected based on skill mix rather than on roles that are more traditional. We have demonstrated that an ECMO retrieval service can be reorganized swiftly and successfully to cope with the sudden increase in demand by spending cardiac surgeons services to supplement the anaesthetic-intensivist roles.

Severe acute respiratory distress syndrome requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support: a consequence of vaping.

In the past decade, vaping has become more prevalent globally. Since mid-2019, reports have linked the use of vaping devices to lung injury (EVALI). This is the first reported adult case outside the USA to require ECMO for a severe vaping complication. https://bit.ly/39hf2ZY.

COVID-19 patient with coronary thrombosis supported with ECMO and Impella 5.0 ventricular assist device: a case report.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 can present with cardiovascular complications. CASE SUMMARY: We present a case report of a 43-year-old previously fit patient who suffered from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection with thrombosis of the coronary arteries causing acute myocardial infarction. These were treated with coronary stenting during which the patient suffered cardiac arrest. He was supported with automated chest compressions followed by peripheral veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO). No immediate recovery of the myocardial function was observed and, after insufficient venting of the left ventricle was diagnosed, an Impella 5 pump was implanted. The cardiovascular function recovered sufficiently and ECMO was explanted and inotropic infusions discontinued. Due to SARS-CoV-2 pulmonary infection, hypoxia became resistant to conventional mechanical ventilation and the patient was nursed prone overnight. After initial recovery of respiratory function, the patient received a tracheostomy and was allowed to wake up. Following a short period of agitation his neurological function recovered completely. During the third week of recovery, progressive multisystem dysfunction, possibly related to COVID-19, developed into multiorgan failure, and the patient died. DISCUSSION: We believe that this is the first case report of coronary thrombosis related to COVID-19. Despite the negative outcome in this patient, we suggest that complex patients may in the future benefit from advanced cardiovascular support, and may even be nursed safely in the prone position with Impella devices.

Three consecutive cases of fatal intraoperative intracardiac thrombosis associated with the initiation of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the presence of aprotinin.

Central venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation has been used since the 1970s to support patients with cardiogenic shock following cardiac surgery. Despite this, in-hospital mortality is still high, and although rare, thrombus within the cardiac chambers or within the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuit is often fatal. Aprotinin is an antifibrinolytic available in Europe and Canada, though not currently in the United States. Due to historical safety concerns, use of aprotinin is generally limited and is commonly reserved for patients with the highest bleeding risk. Given the limited availability of aprotinin over the last decade, it is not surprising to find a complete absence of literature describing the use of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the presence of aprotinin. We present three consecutive cases of rapid fatal intraoperative intracardiac thrombosis associated with post-cardiotomy central venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in patients receiving aprotinin.

Use veno-venous extra corporeal membrane oxygenation in elderly patients with post-cardiotomy hypoxia: the changing paradigm of respiratory support in adult respiratory distress syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) support for ARDS treatment after cardiac surgery has progressed remarkably in the last 20 years. However, one of the limitations of a successful recover is age, being a powerful predictor of mortality. CASE PRESENTATION: In this case report we discuss a 78-year-old man who underwent aortic valve and aortic root replacement. The postoperative period was complicated by ARDS following aspiration pneumonia treated with VV-ECMO weaned after 6 days. At two-year follow up, the patient made an excellent recover, being the second oldest person to survive VV-ECMO following cardiac surgery in the world. CONCLUSION: In the literature there is no consensus regarding a specific age limit and results, in the use of ECMO in the elderly are scarce and inconsistent. We do not think advanced age is a contraindication to the use of ECMO.

Mini-Stern Trial: A randomized trial comparing mini-sternotomy to full median sternotomy for aortic valve replacement.

OBJECTIVE: Aortic valve replacement (AVR) can be performed either through full median sternotomy (FS) or upper mini-sternotomy (MS). The Mini-Stern trial aimed to establish whether MS leads to quicker postoperative recovery and shorter hospital stay after first-time isolated AVR. METHODS: This pragmatic, open-label, parallel randomized controlled trial (RCT) compared MS with FS for first-time isolated AVR in 2 United Kingdom National Health Service hospitals. Primary endpoints were duration of postoperative hospital stay and the time to fitness for discharge from hospital after AVR, analyzed in the intent-to-treat population. RESULTS: In this RCT, 222 patients were recruited and randomized (n = 118 in the MS group; n = 104 in the FS group). Compared with the FS group, the MS group had a longer hospital length of stay (mean, 9.5 days vs 8.6 days) and took longer to achieve fitness for discharge home (mean, 8.5 days vs 7.5 days). Adjusting for valve type, sex, and surgeon, hazard ratios (HRs) from Cox models did not show a statistically significant effect of MS (relative to FS) on either hospital stay (HR, 0.874; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.668-1.143; P = .3246) or time to fitness for discharge (HR, 0.907; 95% CI, 0.688-1.197; P value = .4914). During a mean follow-up of 760 days (745 days for the MS group and 777 days for the FS group), 12 patients (10%) in the MS group and 7 patients (7%) in the FS group died (HR, 1.871; 95% CI, 0.723-4.844; P = .1966). Average extra cost for MS was £1714 during the first 12 months after AVR. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with FS for AVR, MS did not result in shorter hospital stay, faster recovery, or improved survival and was not cost-effective. The MS approach is not superior to FS for performing AVR.