ASAIO journal : a peer-reviewed journal of the American Society for Artificial Internal Organs
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Multicenter Study
Outcomes using extracorporeal life support for adult respiratory failure due to status asthmaticus.
Our objective was to describe the outcomes for extracorporeal life support (ECLS) use in adult respiratory failure because of status asthmaticus and to determine whether ECLS use in status asthmaticus is associated with greater survival than other indications for ECLS. This retrospective cohort study used the multicenter, International ECLS Organization Registry. The study population included 1,257 adults with respiratory failure requiring ECLS. ⋯ In conclusion, we found that status asthmaticus, as an indication for ECLS in adult respiratory failure, seemed to be associated with greater survival than other indications for ECLS. However, complications are common and whether ECLS confers a survival advantage compared with other salvage treatment options remains unknown. More detailed information and complete reporting of ECLS use for status asthmaticus are needed to determine whether and when the potentially life-saving intervention of ECLS should be initiated in the asthmatic failing conventional therapy.
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The hemodynamic comparison of the Jostra HL-20 and the Levitronix PediVAS blood pumps is the focus this study, where pressure-flow waveforms and hemodynamic energy values are analyzed in the confines of a pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass circuit. The pseudo pediatric patient was perfused with flow rates between 500 and 900 ml/min (100 ml/min increments) under pulsatile and nonpulsatile mode. The Levitronix continuous flow pump utilized a customized controller to engage in pulsatile perfusion with equivalent pulse settings to the Jostra HL-20 roller pump. ⋯ In comparing the two pumps under pulsatile perfusion, the Levitronix PediVAS produced significantly more surplus and total hemodynamic energy than did the Jostra roller pump each pump flow rate. The study suggests that the Levitronix PediVAS centrifugal pump has the capability of achieving quality pulsatile waveforms and delivering more SHE to the pseudo patient than the Jostra HL-20 roller pump. Further studies are warranted to investigate the Levitronix under bovine blood studies and with various pulsatile settings.
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Case Reports
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circulatory support after congenital cardiac surgery.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is widely used for circulatory support in pediatric cardiac patients with low cardiac output and hypoxemia after cardiac surgery. We evaluated retrospectively, the efficacy of postoperative ECMO support following congenital cardiac surgery in our hospital. From April 2002 to February 2008, seven patients (median age 30 months) received postoperative mechanical support. ⋯ The mean duration of ECMO support was 121 hours (in survivors). During ECMO, the major complication was bleeding, despite adequate control of activated clotting time. We conclude that ECMO support for heart failure and respiratory insufficiency after congenital cardiac surgery was effective, and the result of ECMO support for respiratory insufficiency was better than for heart failure.
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Each year thousands of patients require extracorporeal life support (ECLS) for a variety of respiratory, cardiac, and emergency reasons. The ECLS registry, a Federal Drug Administration approved control group, provides a database of approximately 37,000 ECLS patients from domestic and international hospitals, with details about demographic factors, diagnosis, treatment, and complications. The report is circulated to Extracorporeal Life Support Organization members with the goal of providing feedback on each center's practices relative to the performance of all of the centers, and to the general public with the goal of enhancing research and improving patient care. ⋯ Requirement for inotropes while on ECLS is by far the most common complication, followed by surgical site bleeding, necessitating hemofiltration. The major mechanical complications facing cardiac ECLS patients are oxygenator failure and clots in the circuit. Databases such as this one provide powerful tools for institutions, clinicians, and researchers.
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Although blood transfusion is essential in pediatric surgery, it is associated with increased morbidity. The goal of this study is to assess the efficiency of downsized bypass circuits and vacuum-assisted venous return in decreasing the need for blood transfusion. This study was performed on 150 patients weighing 2.3-10 kg. ⋯ All patients weighing <6.4 kg were transfused and 55% of the patients weighing 6.4-10 kg had bloodless surgery, none had platelet infusion. In bloodless surgery, the median hemoglobin level was 11.4 g/dl before surgery, 8.7 g/dl during bypass, and 10.6 g/dl postoperatively, median serum lactate levels were always under 2 mmol/L and the median time to extubation was 3 hours. Compared to gravity-dependent venous drainage, vacuum-assisted venous return is efficient for further reducing allogeneic blood transfusion.