ASAIO journal : a peer-reviewed journal of the American Society for Artificial Internal Organs
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Although microporous polypropylene hollow fiber oxygenators are standard devices used for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), they have limitations such as development of plasma leakage. Poly-methylpentene (PMP) is a new material used for the last generation of oxygenators. We reviewed our experience with a new PMP oxygenator (Quadrox D) and a centrifugal pump (RotaFlow) used to support adult patients with refractory cardiogenic shock. ⋯ Twelve patients (66.7%) survived on ECMO and five patients (27.8%) were discharged. Our results indicate the PMP oxygenator and the centrifugal pump provided acceptable results in terms of surviving on ECMO and discharge. Patients with an initial catastrophic hemodynamic status could benefit by means of a rapid institution of ECMO with PMP oxygenators.
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Increasingly, ventricular assist devices (VADs) are used as destination therapy for those who are not candidates for heart transplantation. Although these devices can benefit patients by improving their functional status and quality of life, they can, in some cases, facilitate an end-point known as "destination nowhere." In such situations, patients and clinicians find themselves in medical limbo where the patient's net benefit is, in fact, a burden, or the continued use of the device has no utility in light of the goals of the technology. This article presents guidance for avoiding "destination nowhere," as well as guidance for ethical care when patients arrive at this juncture.
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Septic shock is a condition associated with diffuse coagulopathy and multiple organ failure, and frequently ends in death. Direct hemoperfusion using a polymyxin B-immobilized fiber column (DHP-PMX) was first developed in Japan in 1994 and has since been used for the treatment of septic shock. On the other hand, the effectiveness of continuous hemodiafiltration using a polymethylmethacrylate membrane hemofilter (PMMA- CHDF) for critically ill patients has also been reported. ⋯ The average Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score and the average sepsis-related organ failure assessment (SOFA) score were not significantly different between the two groups. The PMMA-CHDF group showed significantly better outcomes, with significant improvements of the serum PAI-1, protein C, IL-6 and N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) levels. We conclude that PMMA-CHDF may be more effective than PAN-CHDF in the management of septic shock.
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On March 22, 2006, the first Interventional Lung Assist (ILA) Consensus Meeting was held in Hannover, Germany, hosted by the Hannover Thoracic Transplant and Cardiac Assist Program at the Hannover Medical School. Leading experts in the field of lung transplantation, respiratory and critical care medicine, lung injury, mechanical ventilation, extracorporeal life support, and oxygenator engineering were formally invited to participate. The main goal was to translate previous clinical experience with the ILA into a consensus for the use of the ILA as a bridge to lung transplantation.
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Studies have demonstrated that cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) adversely affects pulmonary circulation, which is involved in metabolism in the lung, and that pulmonary circulation after CPB can restore the prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) level mainly standing for levels of key vasostimulators augmented during CPB, which may influence systemic tissue perfusion and body oxygen metabolism. However, in lung transplantation (Lx), pulmonary circulation is restored to the graft, which might induce another CPB reaction. We prospectively examined the influence of CPB on body oxygen metabolism in Lx. ⋯ At 90 minutes after graft perfusion, mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) was lower (p < 0.01) and O2 extraction rate (p < 0.01), PGE2 (p = 0.025), and arterial blood ketone body ratio (KBR) (p < 0.01) were higher in group-on than in group-off, whereas these parameters were comparable before graft perfusion between the two groups. O2 consumption and acetic acid were higher in group-on than in group-off, whereas O2 delivery and 3-hydroxy propioic acid were comparable between the groups. In conclusion, Lx during CPB may induce a new inflammatory reaction and influence body oxygen metabolism, contrary to the restoration of pulmonary circulation after CPB.