The International journal of artificial organs
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Observational Study
Pre-ECMO coagulopathy does not increase the occurrence of hemorrhage during extracorporeal support.
Observational retrospective cohort study to evaluate the association between precannulation coagulopathy and the occurrence of hemorrhage during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in neonatal and pediatric patients at a tertiary children's hospital. ⋯ Pre-ECMO coagulopathy was frequent in our cohort but did not increase the occurrence of hemorrhage during extracorporeal support. Although the identification of factors associated with hemorrhage is key to safely managing ECMO anticoagulation, the implication of precannulation coagulopathy seems to be minimal.
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Infective endocarditis is a serious disease condition. Depending on the causative microorganism and clinical symptoms, cardiac surgery and valve replacement may be needed, posing additional risks to patients who may simultaneously suffer from septic shock. The combination of surgery bacterial spreadout and artificial cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surfaces results in a release of key inflammatory mediators leading to an overshooting systemic hyperinflammatory state frequently associated with compromised hemodynamic and organ function. Hemoadsorption might represent a potential approach to control the hyperinflammatory systemic reaction associated with the procedure itself and subsequent clinical conditions by reducing a broad range of immuno-regulatory mediators. ⋯ Thus, this interventional approach may open up potentially promising therapeutic options for critically-ill patients with acute infective endocarditis during and after cardiac surgery, with cytokine reduction, improved hemodynamic stability and organ function as seen in our patients.
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Comparative Study
Concomitant pulsatile and continuous flow VAD in biventricular and univentricular physiology: a comparison study with a numerical model.
To develop and test a lumped parameter model to simulate and compare the effects of the simultaneous use of continuous flow (CF) and pulsatile flow (PF) ventricular assist devices (VADs) to assist biventricular circulation vs. single ventricle circulation in pediatrics. ⋯ A numerical model supports clinicians in defining and innovating the VAD implantation strategy to maximize the hemodynamic benefits. Results suggest that the hemodynamic benefits are maximized by the LCF + RPF configuration.
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Although there has been continuous, intensive research for many years in the field of sepsis treatment, currently available treatment options are limited, and there is still a lack of systems that efficiently remove endotoxins as well as mediators. Here, we discuss a newly developed, integrated technique that combines different aspects for their use in extracorporeal blood purification for the supportive treatment of liver failure and sepsis.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
High cut-off hemofiltration versus standard hemofiltration: effect on plasma cytokines.
To study the effects of continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) with high cut-off filters (CVVH-HCO) on plasma cytokine levels, sieving coefficient and clearance compared to CVVH using standard filters (CVVH-Std) in a nested cohort within a double-blind randomized controlled trial in severe acute kidney injury (AKI) patients. ⋯ CVVH-HCO achieved greater combined sieving coefficient and mass removal rate by ultrafiltration for a group of key cytokines than CVVH-Std. However, this effect did not differentially lower their plasma level over the first 72 hours. Our study does not support the use of CVVH-HCO to lower cytokines in critically ill patients with AKI.