The Journal of invasive cardiology
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To compare procedural success and safety of pericardiocentesis using continuous ultrasonographic visualization of a long (7 cm) micropuncture needle to standard access with an 18 gauge needle without continuous ultrasound guidance. ⋯ This study suggests that an ultrasound-mounted micropuncture needle allows for safe and effective pericardiocentesis. This technique may provide a safer alternative to the standard use of an 18 gauge needle.
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Ventricular interdependence is a salient hemodynamic feature of cardiac tamponade that manifests as discordance between the left and right ventricles in filling and ejection on hemodynamic assessment. Ventricular interdependence can manifest as arterial discordance at the level of the great arteries.
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Surgical femoral cutdown for decannulation after veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is considered standard practice. However, access-site complications with this technique are not rare. The objective of this study is to evaluate feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a complete percutaneous decannulation procedure after VA-ECMO compared with the conventional surgical cutdown approach. ⋯ Complete percutaneous closure of the femoral access site after VA-ECMO is feasible, effective, and safe when compared with conventional surgical closure and performed by experienced operators.