Comparison of temporary ventricular assist devices and extracorporeal life support in post-cardiotomy cardiogenic shock.

OBJECTIVES: Post-cardiotomy cardiogenic shock (PCCS) results in substantial morbidity and mortality, whereas refractory cases require mechanical circulatory support (MCS). The aim of the study was to compare extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and ventricular assist devices (VADs) utilized in the management of PCCS. METHODS: In total, 56 consecutive patients who developed PCCS from 2005 to 2014 required MCS as a bridge to decision-24 were supported with a VAD and 32 with an ECMO. Groups were compared with respect to pre- and intraoperative characteristics and early and long-term outcomes to evaluate the impact of the type of MCS on complications and survival. Data are mean ± standard deviation and median with quartiles. RESULTS: EuroSCORE II was significantly higher in the VAD group than in the ECMO group (28 ± 20 vs 13 ± 16, P = 0.020) corresponding to significantly higher New York Heart Association (P = 0.031) class and Canadian Cardiovascular Society class (P = 0.040) in the cohort. The median duration of support was 10 (4-23) and 7 (4-10) days in the VAD and ECMO groups, respectively. There were no significant differences in ITU (P = 0.262), hospital stay (P = 0.193) and incidences of most postoperative complications. A significantly higher proportion of patients was successfully weaned/upgraded in the VAD group [13 (54%) vs 4 (13%), P = 0.048] with a trend towards higher discharge rate [9 (38%) vs 5 (16%), P = 0.061]. Overall cumulative survival in early follow-up [Breslow (Generalized Wilcoxon) P = 0.017] and long-term follow-up [Log-rank (Mantel-Cox) p = 0.015] was significantly better in the VAD group. CONCLUSIONS: VAD and ECMO represent essential tools to support patients with PCCS. Our preliminary results might indicate some benefits of using VAD in this group of patients; however, this evidence should be further assessed in larger multicentre trials.

Influence of history of cannabis smoking in selected donors on the outcomes of lung transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: Cannabis is the most commonly abused illicit drug and the smokers are at the risk of lung infections, bullous emphysema and lung cancer. However, no evidence about the outcomes of lung transplantation (LTx) utilizing the lungs from such donors is available in the literature. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed lung 'organ offers' and LTx at our centre between January 2007 and November 2013. The outcomes of LTx utilizing lungs from donors with a history of cannabis smoking were compared with the outcomes of those with no such history using unadjusted model as well as propensity score matching. RESULTS: A total of 302 LTxs were performed during this period and were grouped depending on the history of cannabis smoking in donors-'cannabis' (n = 19) and control group (n = 283). All the donors in 'cannabis' group were tobacco smokers compared with 43% in the control group. Preoperative characteristics in recipients in both groups were comparable. Intraoperative and post-LTx variables including 1- and 3-year survivals were comparable in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The history of donor cannabis smoking does not appear to affect early and mid-term outcomes after LTx and potentially improve the donor pool. As it does not seem to negatively affect the outcomes after LTx, it should not be per se considered a contraindication for lung donation.

Salvage myocardial revascularisation in spontaneous left main coronary artery dissection with cardiogenic shock - the role of mechanical circulatory support.

Spontaneous left main coronary artery dissection is a rare cause of acute coronary events or sudden cardiac death, constituting less than 1% of all epicardial coronary artery dissections. It is often fatal and is mostly recognized at post-mortem examination in young victims of sudden death. More than 70% of the reported cases occurred in women, particularly during pregnancy and the peripartum period and those on oral contraceptives. The clinical presentation is highly variable and prognosis varies widely, depending predominantly on the speed of diagnosis. Treatment options include medical therapy, revascularization with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and mechanical circulatory support in cases of cardiogenic shock. We report a case of spontaneous dissection of the left main stem coronary artery, with extension into the left coronary territory, which occurred in a 41-year-old lady, complicated by profound cardiogenic shock requiring recovery with extracorporeal mechanical circulatory support after salvage myocardial revascularization.