ASAIO journal : a peer-reviewed journal of the American Society for Artificial Internal Organs
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Case Reports
Successful treatment of a continuous flow left ventricular assist device thrombosis with eptifibatide.
Left ventricular assist device thrombosis is a rare but potentially lethal complication of mechanical circulatory support. Here, we present a case of successful treatment of a suspected HeartMate II thrombosis with the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor, eptifibatide. ⋯ The patient was transitioned to clopidogrel and discharged without further incident. Eptifibatide may represent a potential therapeutic option for patients with device thrombosis.
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Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can support gas exchange in patients with primary respiratory failure. Venovenous ECMO can be initiated through a single-site, dual-lumen cannula designed for insertion in the right internal jugular vein. ⋯ The left-sided approach resulted in equivalent blood flow and gas exchange compared with our previous experience with right-sided cannulation. This case series demonstrates the feasibility of placing a bicaval dual-lumen catheter in the left internal jugular vein for the initiation of venovenous ECMO when the right internal jugular vein is inaccessible.
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Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vvECMO) conventionally requires the cannulation of two vessels. Here we report our initial experience with the "Wang-Zwische" (WZ) double-lumen cannula. In a group of n = 36 patients single venous cannulation for vvECMO was performed. ⋯ The negative pressures for drainage at a flow of 2.5 L/min were significantly lower in a standard (S) two-vessel approach compared with a WZ approach (S: -9 mm Hg; IQR -3 to -24 mm Hg, vs. WZ: -23 mm Hg; IQR -4 to -40 mm Hg; p = 0.04). The WZ cannula offers sufficient gas exchange in addition to certain advantages over standard cannulation, including facilitated cannulation in selected patients and improved mobilization.
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Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is rarely used as a bridge to lung transplantation (BTT) because of its associated morbidity and mortality. However, recent advancements in perfusion technology and critical care have revived interest in this application of ECMO. We retrospectively reviewed our utilization of ECMO as BTT and evaluated our early and midterm results. ⋯ Early and midterm survival of transplanted patients was 75% (1 year) and 63% (3 years), respectively, with the most favorable results observed in interstitial lung disease patients supported in the venovenous configuration. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-bridged transplant survival rates were equivalent to nonbridged recipients, but early morbidity and mortality are high and the failure to bridge to transplant is significant. Overall, successfully bridged patients can derive a tangible benefit, albeit with considerable consumption of resources.
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Femoral artery cannulation for venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can be associated with ischemic and neurologic complications. The subclavian artery offers an alternative cannulation site, which is helpful in patients with peripheral vascular disease, in those who have sustained pelvic trauma, or when ambulation is anticipated. This is a single-institution review of 20 adults who were placed on venoarterial ECMO using subclavian arterial cannulation over a 2 year period. ⋯ Each required conversion to femoral artery cannulation. There were no ischemic or neurologic complications. Patients with acute cardiopulmonary failure can safely be placed on subclavian venoarterial ECMO for prolonged periods with full flows, adequate oxygenation, and sufficient ventricular unloading.