ASAIO journal : a peer-reviewed journal of the American Society for Artificial Internal Organs
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Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy is associated with thrombophilia despite anticoagulation. Of interest, LVAD patients have increased carboxyhemoglobin, a measure of upregulated heme oxygenase (Hmox) activity that releases carbon monoxide (CO) and iron. Given that CO and iron enhance plasmatic coagulation, we determined if LVAD patients had hypercoagulability and decreased fibrinolytic vulnerability with measurable CO and iron-mediated effects. ⋯ Critically, hemolysis as assessed by circulating lactate dehydrogenase activity was small in this cohort, and only four patients without comorbid states (e.g., obesity, diabetes, sleep apnea) were hypercoagulable with evidence of Hmox upregulation. However, seven patients with comorbidities were hypercoagulable with Hmox upregulation. Future investigation of CO and iron-related thrombophilia and comorbid disease is warranted to define its role in LVAD-related thrombosis.
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Since 2012, citrate anticoagulation is the recommended anticoagulation strategy for continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). The main drawback using citrate as anticoagulant compared with heparin is the need for calcium replacement and the rigorous control of calcium levels. This study investigated the possibility to achieve anticoagulation while eliminating the need for calcium replacement. ⋯ All filter pressures were normal indicating no clotting problems, and no visible clotting was observed. No calcium replacement was needed. This pilot study suggests that it is possible to perform regional citrate anticoagulation without the need for separate calcium infusion during CRRT.
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Refractory cardiogenic shock (RCS) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and current mainstays of medical therapy appear inadequate. Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) represents an increasingly accepted therapy for RCS. Demographics, past medical history, preoperative characteristics, outcomes, and adverse events were collected for consecutive patients who received VA-ECMO support for RCS at our institution from March 2007 to December 2013. ⋯ Univariate analysis identified age (p = 0.002) and etiology of RCS (p = 0.041) as the most significant predictors of in-hospital mortality. Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for RCS appears successful as salvage therapy. Age and etiology should be considered when evaluating patients for VA-ECMO.