ASAIO journal : a peer-reviewed journal of the American Society for Artificial Internal Organs
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Review Historical Article
The evolution of extracorporeal life support as a bridge to lung transplantation.
The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a bridge to lung transplantation was reported for the first time more than three decades ago; nevertheless, its use in lung transplantation was largely abandoned because of poor patient survival and frequent complications. The outcomes of patients bridged to lung transplantation using ECMO have substantially improved in the last 5 years. Recent advances in extracorporeal life support technology now allow patients with end-stage lung disease to be successfully supported for prolonged periods of time, preventing the use of mechanical ventilation and facilitating physical rehabilitation and ambulation while the patients awaits lung transplantation. This review briefly describes the evolution of ECMO use in lung transplantation and summarizes the available technology and current approaches to provide ECMO support.
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Allogeneic transfusion, or transfusion of blood banked blood has been associated with a litany of complications for the recipient. These complications plus associated cost has led to the development of a concept called "patient blood management," which recognizes that allogeneic transfusion may be necessary; however, all effort should be expended at minimizing its need. ⋯ This process can take place in the intraoperative or postoperative period. This article describes the technology, how it works, and how to maximize the utility of the system.
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Our objective was to evaluate morbidity and mortality associated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in children with genetic syndromes and heart disease. We conducted a retrospective review of all children with heart disease and genetic syndromes receiving ECMO during the period January 2000 and March 2012 at Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock. The medical charts were reviewed to obtain the following variables: demographic information, medical and surgical history, laboratory and microbiological, information on organ dysfunction, and outcome characteristics. ⋯ However, only 10 patients are living to date in this cohort. ECMO can be used in children with heart disease and genetic syndromes with good results. The survival rate is high and the complication rate is low.
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Case Reports
Concomitant transcatheter aortic valve and left ventricular assist device implantation.
Relevant aortic regurgitation (AR) requires surgical repair at the time of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation to reduce recirculation and ensure adequate forward flow. We report here on a patient with moderate AR in a noncalcified aortic valve and extensive calcification of the ascending aorta. ⋯ Although there were no valvular or annular calcifications, a JenaValve transcatheter heart valve was successfully placed transapically with subsequent LVAD implantation in one operation. We believe concomitant transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and LVAD implantation is a promising hybrid procedure, even in patients with pure AR.
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Axial flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is an effective therapy for patients with advanced heart failure. As the preoperative hepatic and renal function play a critical role in determining adverse events after LVAD implantation, we analyzed the predictive role of the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score in determining in-hospital mortality after surgery. One hundred twenty-six patients underwent implant of an LVAD at our institution. ⋯ The MELD score was not predictive of inhospital mortality in these patients (p = 0.97). The MELD score is predictive of early mortality in patients undergoing LVAD implantation as their first cardiac surgery. Use of this score to select patients for LVAD implantation may be appropriate.