Artificial organs
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Comparison of Coagulation Parameters, Anticoagulation, and Need for Transfusion in Patients on Interventional Lung Assist or Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.
Clinical data on anticoagulation needs of modern extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and its impact on coagulation are scarce. Therefore, we analyzed coagulation-related parameters, need for transfusion, and management of anticoagulation in adult patients with severe acute respiratory failure during treatment with either pumpless interventional lung assist (iLA) or veno-venous ECMO (vv-ECMO). Sixty-three patients treated with iLA and 192 patients treated with vv-ECMO at Regensburg University Hospital between January 2005 and May 2011 were analyzed. ⋯ The impact of modern iLA and ECMO systems on coagulation allows comparatively safe long-term treatment of adult patients with acute respiratory failure. A moderate systemic anticoagulation seems to be sufficient. Importantly, platelets are more affected by vv-ECMO compared with pumpless iLA.
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The objective of this study was to compare the systemic inflammatory response and hemolytic characteristics of a conventional roller pump (HL20-NP) and an alternative diagonal pump with nonpulsatile (DP3-NP) and pulsatile mode (DP3-P) in simulated neonatal extracorporeal life support (ECLS) systems. The experimental neonatal ECLS circuits consist of a conventional Jostra HL20 roller pump or an alternative Medos DP3 diagonal pump, and Medos Hilite 800 LT hollow-fiber oxygenator with diffusion membrane. Eighteen sterile circuits were primed with freshly donated whole blood and divided into three groups: conventional HL20 with nonpulsatile flow (HL20-NP), DP3 with nonpulsatile flow (DP3-NP), and DP3 with pulsatile flow (DP3-P). ⋯ Pulsatile flow generated higher total hemodynamic energy and surplus hemodynamic energy levels at pre-oxygenator and pre-clamp sites (P < 0.01). Our study demonstrated that the alternative diagonal pump ECLS circuits appeared to have less systemic inflammatory response and hemolysis compared with the conventional roller pump ECLS circuit in simulated neonatal ECLS systems. Pulsatile flow delivered more hemodynamic energy to the pseudo-patient without increased odds of hemolysis compared with the conventional, nonpulsatile roller pump group.
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Thrombosis inside the membrane oxygenator (MO) is a critical complication during venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The aim of this study was to prove if thrombotic clots manifest within the MO when D-dimer levels are elevated over a long-term period. Heparin-coated polymethylpentene MOs (n = 13) were exchanged due to high plasma D-dimer levels. ⋯ An increase or high levels of D-dimers in absence of other explaining pathology during ECMO therapy reflected coagulation activity within the MO. Evidence of clots within the MO at high D-dimer levels and decrease after exchange underline the relevance of D-dimer testing during ECMO treatment. Besides, surveillance of MOs during ongoing ECMO therapy will help to predict clot formation, and to avoid system-induced coagulation disorders as well as critical situations.
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Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides temporary life-saving support for pediatric patients with severe cardiac failure, but causes metabolic disturbances and altered nutritional requirements. However, few studies have addressed the optimal energy supply to meet the demand of these children, largely due to technical difficulties with their invasive nature. We have adapted respiratory mass spectrometry to continuously measure O2 consumption and CO2 production in the gas exchange across the ECMO oxygenator, as well as that across the ventilator. ⋯ Respiratory mass spectrometry is feasible to provide a unique and safe technique to measure EE and RQ in patients on ECMO. Without this knowledge, inadequate feeding may occur. Further studies are warranted in a larger patient population to provide better information to guide clinical practice in this special group of critically ill children.
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Thrombosis of tunneled central venous catheters (CVC) in hemodialysis (HD) patients is common and it can lead to the elimination of vascular sites. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of thrombotic obstruction of tunneled CVC in HD patients and the efficacy of occlusion treatment with alteplase use, and identify factors associated with thrombotic occlusion. It was a prospective cohort study performed in two centers which evaluated the diagnosis and treatment of thrombotic occlusion of CVC in HD patients for 24 consecutive months. ⋯ Thrombotic occlusion showed frequent mechanical complication in CVC of HD patients. We observed 12 episodes of obstruction per 1000 CVC-days, with a high success rate after alteplase use (87%). In the multivariate analysis, the time with CVC, the presence of diabetes, and ESI were identified as variables associated with thrombotic obstruction.