Perfusion
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Despite advances in surgery and intensive care, mortality in acute mesenteric ischemia remains between 50% and 90%. In this study, we evaluated factors affecting mortality in acute arterial mesenteric ischemia. ⋯ High red cell distribution width and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase levels and anti-coagulant use are factors affecting mortality in arterial acute mesenteric ischemia. The assessment of these variables could help predict the extent of arterial acute mesenteric ischemia and the mortality associated with it.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial Observational Study
Prevalence of preoperative anaemia in patients having first-time cardiac surgery and its impact on clinical outcome. A retrospective observational study.
The prevalence of anaemia is increasing globally. It has a close association with perioperative blood transfusion which, in turn, results in an increased risk of postoperative complications. Undesirable effects are not only limited to short-term, but also have long-term implications. ⋯ Anaemia was significantly associated with the development of new infection (14 (7%) vs. 15 (2.9%), p-value 0.0193, RR (CI 95%) 2.389 (1.175-4.859)), prolonged ventilation time (47.01 hours vs. 23.59 hours, p-value 0.0076) and prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay (80.23 hours vs. 50.27, p-value 0.0011). Preoperative anaemia is highly prevalent and showed a clear link with significantly higher transfusion rates and postoperative morbidity. It is vital that a preoperative management plan for the correction of anaemia should be sought to improve patient safety and outcome.
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Electrical storm refers to a state of cardiac electrical instability characterized by multiple episodes of ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF) within a relatively short period of time and is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. The management of electrical storm involves a variety of strategies, including sedation, anti-arrhythmic and electrolyte replacement as well as revascularization and electrical ablation. However, the management strategy in patients with refractory storm is less clear and may require more invasive approaches. We present a case of severe ventricular tachycardia storm refractory to conservative management that was managed with a HeartMate II left ventricular assist device.
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Risk factors for adverse outcome after extracorporeal life support (ECLS) are yet to be defined. For this purpose, we reviewed our institutional data from more than a decade, focusing on patients with ECLS. ⋯ ECLS therapy offers one-year survival to one quarter of patients with an otherwise fatal prognosis. Procedural mortality is low and morbidity at the implantation site typically moderate. Thus, prolonged metabolic deterioration in combination with high-dose vasopressor support prior to ECLS therapy should be avoided, particularly in younger patients.
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We report the case of a patient with cardiovascular and respiratory failure due to severe anaphylaxis requiring multiple extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) cannulation strategies to provide adequate oxygen delivery and ventilatory support during a period of rapid physiological change. ECMO provides partial or complete support of oxygenation-ventilation and circulation. The choice of which ECMO modality to use is governed by anatomical (vessel size, cardiovascular anatomy and previous surgeries) and physiological (respiratory and/or cardiac failure) factors. ⋯ The use of ECMO support warrants careful consideration of the interplay of a patient's pathophysiology and extracorporeal circuit dynamics. Particular emphasis should be placed on the potential for mismatch between cardiovascular and respiratory support as well as the need to meet metabolic demands through adequate cerebral, coronary and systemic oxygenation. Cannulation strategies occasionally require alteration to meet and anticipate the patient's evolving needs.