Perfusion
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We report a case of renal replacement therapy (RRT) during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) via a single venous access and analyze the feasibility of transpulmonary thermodilution (TPTD) for hemodynamic monitoring. ⋯ Hemodynamic monitoring using TPTD and PCA during ECMO/RRT is feasible and provides reliable results.
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Inferior vena cava abnormalities or agenesis had to be suspected in front of technical difficulties during venous catheterization. In the setting of extracorporeal life support and during chest compressions, femoral vascular access is the easiest, most efficient and, perhaps, the first approach for a successful extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation. In the case of inferior vena cava agenesis leading to cannulation failure and/or complications, the use of the right internal jugular vein for salvage venous cannulation is a potential life-saving strategy.
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Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS) risks thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications. Optimal anti-coagulation monitoring is controversial. We compared coagulation tests evaluating the heparin effect in pediatric ECLS. ⋯ Lower anti-Xa was observed in ECLS runs with complications. Although absolute results from anti-Xa and TEG6®s showed the best correlation with heparin dose, a large proportion of variation in results was unexplained by heparin, while dose response was similar between individuals. Population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modelling is required, as well as prospective trials to delineate the superior means of adjusting heparin therapy to prevent adverse clinical outcomes.
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Lung dysfunction following cardiac surgery is currently viewed as the consequence of atelectasis and lung injury. While the mechanism of atelectasis has been largely detailed, the pathogenesis of lung injury after cardiopulmonary bypass is still unclear. Based upon clinical and experimental studies, we hypothesized that lungs could be injured through a mechanical phenomenon. ⋯ Increased pulmonary compliance induced by the opening of the thorax is correlated with worsened intrapulmonary shunt after cardiopulmonary bypass. A mechanical phenomenon could be partly responsible for post-operative hypoxemia.
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Maintaining the viability of organs from donors after circulatory death (DCD) for transplantation is a complicated procedure, from a time perspective in the absence of appropriate organizational capabilities, that makes such transplantation cases difficult and not yet widespread in Poland. We present the procedural preparation for Poland's first case of organ (kidney) transplantation from a DCD donor in which perfusion was supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Because this organizational model is complex and expensive, we used advanced high-fidelity medical simulation to prepare for the real-life implementation. ⋯ The success of our first simulated DCD-ECMO procedure in Poland is reassuring. Soon after this simulation, Maastricht category II DCD procedures were performed, involving real patients and resulting in two successful double kidney transplantations. During debriefing, it was found that the previous simulation-based training provided the experience to build a successful procedural chain, to eliminate errors at the stage of identification, notification, transportation, donor qualifications and ECMO organ perfusion to create DCD-ECMO algorithm architecture.