RESUMO
Refractory hypoxemia (RH) during venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) support is a complex problem that limits the benefit of this therapy. The need for sustained deep sedation and delays in active rehabilitation are considered as a direct consequence of RH. Changing from VV ECMO to a configuration that returns the flow to pulmonary artery, such as venopulmonary extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VPa ECMO) may decrease recirculation and improve systemic oxygen delivery. We present a retrospective report that describes the impact of VPa ECMO on oxygenation during sedation withdrawal in 41 patients who received VV ECMO for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We evidenced that arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2) increased from 68 to 112.3 mm Hg (p = 0.001) with a reduction of ECMO flow (5.7-4.8 L/m; p = 0.001). Other findings included lower rates of depth sedation (Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale [RASS] ≤3, 37-63%; p = 0.007) and lower requirement inotropic support assessed by LVIS score (4.7-1.1; p = 0.005). Discharge survival was 54% with a sustained benefit until day 79. This cannulation strategy improved effectively PaO2 in this cohort, it may be an alternative in patients with RH in VV ECMO.
RESUMO
Objetivo: Describir la experiencia clínica de una serie de casos de pacientes adultos con hipertensión pulmonar tromboembólica crónica, llevados a tromboendarterectomía pulmonar. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, de ocho pacientes adultos llevados a tromboendarterectomía pulmonar en la Fundación Cardiovascular de Colombia, entre febrero de 2010 y abril de 2013. Resultados: se evaluaron 5 mujeres y 3 hombres, con promedio de edad 45 ± 18 años, datos basales promedio de SpO2 92 ± 2%, PaO2/FiO2 244 ± 82, PaCO2 28,8 ± 3,4 mm Hg, presión pulmonar media 53 ± 11 mm Hg y resistencia vascular pulmonar (RVP) 999 ± 414 dyn/s/cm−5. Al tercer día postoperatorio un paciente necesitó oxigenación con membrana extracorpórea (ECMO) venoarterial por 11 días. A los 4 ± 1días de tromboendarterectomía pulmonar, la RVP descendió 71 ± 21% respecto al valor basal (p = 0,002, IC 95%) y la presión pulmonar media disminuyó 32 ± 27 mm Hg (p = 0,001). La SpO2 basal aumentó 96 ± 3%. La sobrevida fue del 100% a los 24 meses de seguimiento, sin reingresos ni recurrencia de tromboembolia pulmonar. Conclusiones: Los resultados institucionales fueron adecuados a corto y mediano plazo. En casos de edema por reperfusión la alternativa de ECMO como soporte vital extracorpóreo es indispensable.
Motivation: To describe clinical experience of a series of cases of adult patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension who underwent pulmonary thromboendarterectomy. Methods: Descriptive retrospective study of eight adults who underwent pulmonary thromboendarterectomy at the Fundación Cardiovascular de Colombia between February 2010 and April 2013. Results:5 women and 3 men were assessed, with an average age of 45 ± 18 years, with avergae baseline data of SpO2 92 ± 2%, PaO2/FiO2 244 ± 82, PaCO2 28.8 ± 3.4 mmHg, average pukmonary pressure of 53 ± 11 mmHg and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) of 999 ± 414 dyn/s/cm−5. On the third postoperative day one patient required veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) during 11 days. At 4 ± 1 days after pulmonary thromboendarterectomy, PVR decreased 71 ± 21% with regards to baseline value (p = 0.002, IC 95%) and pulmonary pressure was reduced to 32 ± 27 mmHg (p = 0.001). Baseline SpO2 increased 96 ± 3%. Survival rate was 100% after 24 months of follow-up, without readmissions or recurrence of pulmonary thromboembolism. Conclusions: Institutional results were adequate in the short and medium term. Cases with reperfusion edema, the alternative of ECMO as an extracorporeal life support is imperative.
