ASAIO journal : a peer-reviewed journal of the American Society for Artificial Internal Organs
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Case Reports
Implantation of a Berlin Heart as single ventricle by-pass on Fontan circulation in univentricular heart failure.
The clinical management of ventricular failure after the Fontan operation presents a formidable challenge to surgeons. We report our experience with successful implantation of a Berlin Heart EXCOR ventricular assist device as a bridge to transplantation in a child with Fontan circulation.
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We evaluated the results of using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as resuscitation for cardiac patients undergoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in our setting where neither perfusionists nor surgeons are always on site, and no circuit may be ready. Between 2003 and 2006, we used ECMO for all cardiac patients who underwent cardiac arrest in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) or Cath Laboratory. We reviewed retrospectively 14 consecutive files (15 episodes). ⋯ One patient was bridged to a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and was eventually successfully transplanted. He had an ischemic brain lesion with good recuperation and no sequel. We obtained good results with resuscitation ECMO in our setting where a permanently on-site rapid deployment ECMO team is not present at all times.
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Clinical Trial
Moderate hypothermia with low flow rate cardiopulmonary bypass used in surgeries for congenital heart defects.
Low flow rate perfusion has been recommended in profound hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in recent years. However, most patients with congenital heart defects are still operated on under moderate hypothermic CPB, where high flow rate perfusion has been adopted by most perfusionists. Fifty patients with congenital heart defects, ranging from 1 to 11 yr of age and 6.5 to 25 kg of weight, were included in the trial. ⋯ All patients recovered well after operation. No surgical death or neurologic complications occurred. Low flow rate perfusion might be safely used in moderate hypothermic CPB as long as the oxygen saturation of returned venous blood was kept above 80%.