The Outcome Relevance of Pre-ECMO Liver Impairment in Adults with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

We hypothesize that (1) a significant pre-ECMO liver impairment, which is evident in the presence of pre-ECMO acute liver injury and a higher pre-ECMO MELD (model for end-stage liver disease) score, is associated with increased mortality; and (2) the requirement of veno-veno-arterial (V-VA) ECMO support is linked to a higher prevalence of pre-ECMO acute liver injury, a higher pre-ECMO MELD score, and increased mortality. We analyze 187 ECMO runs (42 V-VA and 145 veno-venous (V-V) ECMO) between January 2017 and December 2020. The SAPS II score is calculated at ICU admission; hepatic function and MELD score are assessed at ECMO initiation (pre-ECMO) and during the first five days on ECMO. SOFA, PRESERVE and RESP scores are calculated at ECMO initiation. Pre-ECMO cardiac failure, acute liver injury, ECMO type, SAPS II and MELD, SOFA, PRESERVE, and RESP scores are associated with mortality. However, only the pre-ECMO MELD score independently predicts mortality (p = 0.04). In patients with a pre-ECMO MELD score > 16, V-VA ECMO is associated with a higher mortality risk (p = 0.0003). The requirement of V-VA ECMO is associated with the development of acute liver injury during ECMO support, a higher pre-ECMO MELD score, and increased mortality.

Bacterial Co- or Superinfection in Patients Treated in Intensive Care Unit with COVID-19- and Influenza-Associated Pneumonia.

Viral pneumonia is frequently complicated by bacterial co- or superinfection (c/s) with adverse effects on patients' outcomes. However, the incidence of c/s and its impact on the outcomes of patients might be dependent on the type of viral pneumonia. We performed a retrospective observational study in patients with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia (CP) or influenza pneumonia (IP) from 01/2009 to 04/2022, investigating the incidence of c/s using a competing risk model and its impact on mortality in these patients in a tertiary referral center using multivariate logistic regressions. Co-infection was defined as pulmonary pathogenic bacteria confirmed in tracheal aspirate or bronchoalveolar lavage within 48 h after hospitalization. Superinfection was defined as pulmonary pathogenic bacteria detected in tracheal aspirate or bronchoalveolar lavage 48 h after hospitalization. We examined 114 patients with CP and 76 patients with IP. Pulmonary bacterial co-infection was detected in 15 (13.2%), and superinfection was detected in 50 (43.9%) of CP patients. A total of 5 (6.6%) co-infections (p = 0.2269) and 28 (36.8%) superinfections (p = 0.3687) were detected in IP patients. The overall incidence of c/s did not differ between CP and IP patients, and c/s was not an independent predictor for mortality in a study cohort with a high disease severity. We found a significantly higher probability of superinfection for patients with CP compared to patients with IP (p = 0.0017).

Vasoactive Inotropic Score as a Prognostic Factor during (Cardio-) Respiratory ECMO.

The vasoactive inotropic score (VIS) is calculated as a weighted sum of all administered vasopressor and inotropic medications and quantifies the amount of pharmacological cardiovascular support in patients with the most severe combined cardiopulmonary failure supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). This study evaluated (1) whether VIS prior to the initiation of ECMO is an independent predictor of survival in these patients and (2) whether VIS might guide the selection of the appropriate extracorporeal cannulation modality (Veno-Venous 'V-V' or Veno-VenoArterial 'V-VA'). In this study, 39 V-VA and 182 V-V ECMO runs were retrospectively analyzed. VIS immediately prior to ECMO initiation (pre-ECMO) was 40 (10/113) in all patients, 30 (10/80) in patients with V-V ECMO and 207 (60/328) in patients with V-VA ECMO. Pre-ECMO VIS was an independent predictor of survival in univariate (AUC = 0.68, p = 0.001) and multi-variable analyses (p = 0.02). Pre-ECMO VIS was clearly associated with mortality (p = 0.001) in V-V ECMO group; however, V-VA ECMO disrupted this association (p = 0.18). Therefore, in conjunction with echocardiography, VIS might assist in selecting the appropriate ECMO cannulation strategy as patients with a pre-ECMO VIS ≥ 61.4 had significantly lower odds of survival compared to those with lower VIS.

Transmural Placement of Endocardial Pacing Leads in Patients With Congenital Heart Disease.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluates the feasibility and outcomes of transmural placement of endocardial leads (TML) in patients with congenital heart disease. METHODS: Between October 2009 and May 2015, 29 TML procedures were performed in 27 patients. Leads are grouped according to their pacing site: atrial (TML-A, n = 24) or ventricular (TML-V, n = 12). The TML-V includes transatrial and transventricular approaches. Clinical outcome, functional properties of TML, and Kaplan-Meier freedom from lead dysfunction were evaluated. RESULTS: Median age was 4 years (range, 29 days to 43 years). Median follow-up duration was 2 years (range, 1 day to 5.7 years). There was no early mortality. Three late deaths were observed (2 unrelated, 1 related to pacing). In group TML-A, no lead dysfunction was noted. In group TML-V, there were 3 lead dislodgements and 1 lead fracture. Kaplan-Meier freedom from lead dysfunction after 0.5, 1, and 5 years, respectively, was 100% in group TML-A and 82% ± 11%, 73% ± 13%, and 59% ± 17% in group TML-V (log rank p < 0.01). Mean acute (at implantation) and chronic (at last follow-up) sensing thresholds were 3.1 ± 2.3 mV and 3.5 ± 2.5 mV in group TML-A and 11.6 ± 4.9 mV and 7.5 ± 4.6 mV in group TML-V, respectively. Mean acute and chronic pacing thresholds at 0.5 ms were 1.1 ± 0.6 V and 0.6 ± 0.3 V in group TML-A and 1.0 ± 0.6 V and 0.9 ± 0.5 V in group TML-V, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The transmural approach provides an alternative method in patients with congenital cardiac defects who cannot receive transvenous leads and who have extensive epicardial scarring. Subanalysis shows superior midterm performance for TML-A compared with TML-V.

Hemopatch Application for Ventricular Wall Laceration in Redo Cardiac Surgical Procedures.

As survival among patients with complex congenital heart disease continues to improve, long-term survivors frequently require redo surgical procedures, with potentially escalating technical difficulty and bleeding risk. This report describes our experience with a new hemostatic pad, Hemopatch (Baxter Deutschland GmbH, Unterschleissheim, Germany) in redo cardiac surgery.

Common arterial trunk: current implementation of the primary and staged repair strategies.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we report our experience on the primary and staged surgical approaches for common arterial trunk (CAT) repair. METHODS: Between August 2003 and February 2015, 16 consecutive patients underwent CAT repair in our institution. Two different approaches have been followed: group 'primary repair' (PR) consists of patients suitable for straightforward CAT repair, who underwent surgery electively at 1-3 months of age (n = 13); group 'staged repair' (SR) consists of critically ill neonates with CAT and poor preoperative status or coexisting interrupted aortic arch (n = 3). They underwent staged CAT repair with aortic arch repair and right ventricular-to-pulmonary artery (RV-PA) shunt within the neonatal period, followed by an intracardiac repair later in infancy. RESULTS: Median age at initial surgical treatment was 8 days (range: 7-21 days) in group SR and 34 days (range: 14-91 days) in group PR (P = 0.03). Mean Aristotle Comprehensive Complexity score was 11 ± 0.6 (range: 11-13) in group PR and 18 ± 3.1 (range: 15-21) in group SR (P < 0.01). Follow-up was completed with a median duration of 3.6 years (range: 8 months to 11 years). There was neither early nor late mortality in both groups. In group SR, the median interval to second stage surgery was 216 days (range: 216-260 days). Seven patients (54%) in group PR required reoperation for RV-PA conduit failure (n = 4), truncal valve repair/replacement (n = 2) or both (n = 1). After initial surgery, Kaplan-Meier freedom from reoperation after 1, 2 and 8 years was 77 ± 12, 68 ± 13 and 20 ± 17% in group PR, and 0% in group SR (log-rank P < 0.01). Although all patients in group SR required reoperation to complete the anatomical correction (second stage procedure), there was no surgical reintervention of truncal valve and aortic arch thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: Routine elective CAT repair could be safely performed at 1-3 months of age. However, neonatal CAT repair could be associated with a higher mortality especially in the presence of an interrupted aortic arch. In such cases, a staged CAT repair seems to be associated with favourable postoperative course and improved hospital survival, despite the inevitable need for reoperation, which can be performed at a relatively low risk.

Feasibility and related outcome of intraluminal pulmonary artery banding.

OBJECTIVES: This retrospective study evaluated the feasibility and related outcome of intraluminal pulmonary artery banding (I-PAB). METHODS: Thirty-two children underwent I-PAB between July 2006 and April 2014. The median age and weight were 60 days (range: 5 days to 4.2 years) and 3.7 kg (range: 2.6-13.0 kg), respectively. Cardiac diagnoses included single ventricle morphology (n = 11), complex ventricular septal defects (n = 11), balanced atrioventricular septal defects (n = 3), congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (n = 2) and aortic arch hypoplasia with ventricular septal defects (n = 5). On cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), 2 I-PAB modifications with either 1 (n = 24) or 2 ('hour-glass-technique', n = 8) fenestrated pericardial patches were performed. RESULTS: The median fenestration size was 5 mm (range: 4-6.5 mm). In 18 patients I-PAB was a solitary procedure; in 3 of them the decision was made intraoperatively. There was no hospital mortality. The median interval to debanding was 189 days (range: 112 days to 2.6 years). During this period, we observed a significant increase in the pressure gradient over I-PAB (P < 0.01), whereas arterial saturations remained stable. Four patients received balloon dilatation of I-PAB to prolong the palliation period. No patient experienced band occlusion, pulmonary hypertension related to I-PAB, coronary or pulmonary valve impairment. Debanding was performed in 27 patients and one of them required pulmonary patch arterioplasty due to I-PAB-associated pulmonary trunk distortion. Three patients are still awaiting further surgery. There were 2 late deaths prior to, and 3 after debanding, all not related to I-PAB. CONCLUSIONS: I-PAB with an exactly defined internal orifice is feasible and effective. Although arterial saturations seem to remain stable, balloon dilatation of I-PAB can be performed safely and efficiently in order to prolong the palliation period. The rate of I-PAB-related complications is low, which might improve the long-term patient outcome. Therefore, despite requiring CPB, I-PAB is our institutional preference for children who require pulmonary artery banding.

Results of using cardiopulmonary bypass for spinal cord protection during surgical repair of complex aortic coarctation.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the surgical treatment of complex aortic coarctation using partial cardiopulmonary bypass to increase the spinal cord protection. METHODS: A total of 15 patients (age range from 7 to 48 years) underwent coarctation repair through a left posterolateral thoracotomy with cardiopulmonary bypass. Cannulation was performed via the descending aorta and the main pulmonary artery. In all, six surgeries were performed under hypothermic circulatory arrest and nine repairs were performed under mild hypothermia. The clinical outcome regarding the development of restenosis, as well as major neurologic complication, was studied. RESULTS: There was no mortality. None of the patients developed paraplegia. Of the 15 patients, two developed a recurrent stenosis at the proximal anastomosis between the aortic arch and the aortic prothesis at a mean follow-up of 5.5 years. In the remaining 13 patients, echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging showed no evidence of a significant gradient. CONCLUSION: Complex aortic coarctation without hypoplasia of the proximal aortic arch and intra-cardiac anomalies can be repaired with low mortality and neurologic morbidity via a left thoracotomy using cardiopulmonary bypass. The use of cardiopulmonary bypass goes along with a low risk of spinal cord and lower body ischaemia and provides a sufficient amount of time for the anastomoses.

Extracorporeal life support with an integrated left ventricular vent in children with a low cardiac output.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate our experience in central extracorporeal life support with an integrated left ventricular vent in children with cardiac failure. METHODS: Eight children acquired extracorporeal life support with a left ventricular vent, either after cardiac surgery (n = 4) or during an acute cardiac illness (n = 4). The ascending aorta and right atrium were cannulated. The left ventricular vent was inserted through the right superior pulmonary vein and connected to the venous line on the extracorporeal life support such that active left heart decompression was achieved. RESULTS: No patient died while on support, seven patients were successfully weaned from it and one patient was transitioned to a biventricular assist device. The median length of support was 6 days (range 5-10 days). One patient died while in the hospital, despite successful weaning from extracorporeal life support. No intra-cardiac thrombus or embolic stroke was observed. No patient developed relevant intracranial bleeding resulting in neurological dysfunction during and after extracorporeal life support. CONCLUSIONS: In case of a low cardiac output and an insufficient inter-atrial shunt, additional left ventricular decompression via a vent could help avoid left heart distension and might promote myocardial recovery. In pulmonary dysfunction, separate blood gas analyses from the venous cannula and the left ventricular vent help detect possible coronary hypoxia when the left ventricle begins to recover. We recommend the use of central extracorporeal life support with an integrated left ventricular vent in children with intractable cardiac failure.

Treatment of ascending aortic aneurysms using different surgical techniques: a single-centre experience with 548 patients.

OBJECTIVES: The proper treatment of aneurysms of the ascending aorta is still under debate. Here, we describe the early and late outcomes after composite replacement (CR), supracommissural aortic replacement (SCR) and aortic valve-sparing (AVS) operations. METHODS: Five hundred and fourty-eight patients were operated on for ascending aortic aneurysm from 1994 until 2011. Two hundred and ninety-eight (54%) patients had CR, 154 (28%) underwent SCR, 96 (18%) received AVS using David's technique [83 (15%); after October 2006] and 13 (3%) using Yacoub's technique. The average size of the aneurysms was 5.8 ± 1.3 cm and differed between groups (P < 0.001). Patients in the SCR group were older (P < 0.001), and male gender was less frequent in the Yacoub group (P = 0.004). Marfan's syndrome was present more often in the AVS group (P < 0.001). RESULTS: Times for operation, extracorporeal circulation and aortic cross-clamping differed significantly (P < 0.001). In the SCR group, 40% of patients additionally underwent aortic valve replacement. Rethoracotomy for bleeding was required in 33 patients. Overall, 30-day mortality was 4.8% and did not differ between groups (SCR = 7.2%, CR = 4.8%, David's technique = 0% and Yacoub's technique = 8.3%; P = 0.12). Six patients experienced cerebral accidents. The follow-up was complete for 93%, and mean follow-up time was 3.9 ± 3.9 (0-17.8) years. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a significantly reduced long-term survival for women (log-rank P = 0.0052). Reoperation on the aortic root was necessary in only 6 patients from the Yacoub and SCR groups. No aortic dissection occurred. By uni- or multivariate regression analysis, age and preoperative creatinine were risk factors for 30-day mortality, and age, gender, creatinine, New York Heart Association class and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, for long-term survival. CONCLUSIONS: All four applied techniques result in low mortality and low reoperation rate and prevent aortic dissection. The David procedure yields excellent mid-term results.