Artificial organs
-
Refractory cardiogenic shock (RCS) is associated with a high mortality. Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is increasingly used as acute cardiopulmonary support but selection of VA-ECMO candidates remains challenging. There are limited data on which pre-VA-ECMO variables that predict outcome. ⋯ Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified arterial lactate (odds ratio [OR] per mmol/L: 1.15; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06-1.24; P = 0.001) and number of inotropes and vasopressors (OR per agent: 2.14; 95% CI: 1.26-3.63; P = 0.005) as independent predictors of 90-day mortality. In RCS patients arterial lactate level and number of inotropes and vasopressors were identified as independent pre-VA-ECMO predictors of 90-day mortality. Thus, the severity of cardiogenic shock expressed as levels of lactate and vasoactive agents just before start of VA-ECMO may be more predictive of outcome than the specific etiology of cardiogenic shock.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Zero-Balance Ultrafiltration of Priming Blood Attenuates Procalcitonin and Improves the Respiratory Function in Infants After Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Blood priming is needed for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in neonates and infants to avoid exceeding hemodilution; however, transfusion-related inflammation affects post-CPB outcomes in infant open-heart surgery. Procalcitonin, a newly detected inflammatory moderator and a sensitive parameter for predicting pulmonary dysfunction secondary to CPB, rises after CPB. We hypothesized that the hemofiltration of priming blood before CPB might decrease inflammatory mediators in the blood and post-CPB inflammatory replications, thereby improving the respiratory function after CPB in infants. ⋯ The time to extubation and the ICU stay were shorter in the Z-BUF Group (P < 0.05). A positive correlation was found between the peak procalcitonin concentration and the time to extubation directly and pulmonary compliance reversely. These results suggest that the Z-BUF of priming blood may have some beneficial clinical effects such as improved respiratory function and attenuated procalcitonin.
-
The CytoSorb adsorber, a blood purification therapy, is able to remove molecules in the 5-60 kDa range which comprises the majority of inflammatory mediators and some endogenous molecules. We aimed to evaluate CytoSorb therapy on clinical outcomes in critically ill patients. A retrospective case series study, from February 2016 to May 2017, was performed in 40 patients with multiple organ failure who received CytoSorb treatment. ⋯ Thirty-day mortality was 55% and ICU mortality was 52.5% at expected ICU mortality of 80%. Our study shows that CytoSorbTM treatment is effective in reducing bilirubin, lactate, CPK and LDH, in critically ill patients mainly due to cardiogenic shock. There is a need for randomized controlled trials to conclude on the potential benefits blood purification with CytoSorb in critically ill patients.
-
The aim of this study is to report the combined application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) with intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) in postcardiotomy cardiac shock (PCS). A total of 60 consecutive patients who received both ECMO and IABP (concomitantly 24 hours) for PCS from February 2006 to March 2017 at Fuwai Hospital were included in our study. Clinical characteristics of the patients were collected retrospectively and compared between survivors and non-survivors. ⋯ As for complications, the rate of renal failure (59% vs. 15%, P=0.001) and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (29% vs. 0, P=0.003) was higher in patients who failed to survive to discharge. Patients who had heart transplantation had a better long-term survival than others (P=0.0358). In summary, concurrent implantation of ECMO with IABP provides better short-term outcome for PCS and combined application of ECMO with IABP for PCS after heart transplantation had a favorable long-term outcome.
-
Prior to the widespread adoption of the arterial switch operation, patients with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) commonly underwent atrial switch operation (Mustard or Senning). It is not uncommon for these patients to progress to end stage heart failure and increasingly ventricular assist devices (VADs) are used to support these patients as a bridge to transplantation, though there is limited experience with this worldwide. A retrospective review of our institution's VAD database was undertaken and revealed seven adult patients with a history of TGA and subsequent systemic ventricular failure were implanted with a VAD: four of whom received the VAD as a bridge to transplantation (BTT) at the time of implantation, two who were initially designated as destination therapy secondary to severe pulmonary hypertension, and one who was designated as destination therapy secondary to a high risk of life-threatening non-compliance. ⋯ Four patients remain on VAD support, three of these patients are awaiting transplantation at last follow-up (mean days on support, 513 days). Bridge to transplantation with a durable VAD is technically feasible and relatively safe in patients with TGA. Multiple redo-sternotomies can be avoided with a left posterior thoracotomy approach and outflow graft anastomosis to the descending thoracic aorta after careful anatomic considerations.