The Journal of extra-corporeal technology
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J Extra Corpor Technol · Dec 2019
Net Prime Volume Is Associated with Increased Odds of Blood Transfusion.
Hemodilutional anemia has been cited as a contributing factor to red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in cardiac surgery patients. Accordingly, efforts have been made to minimize hemodilution by reducing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) prime volume. We sought to assess the impact of these efforts on intraoperative RBC transfusions. ⋯ In this large, multicenter experience, patients exposed to larger net prime volumes were associated with greater adjusted odds of receiving intraoperative transfusions. Our findings reinforce the importance of efforts to reduce the net CPB prime volume. Based on these findings and other supporting evidence, the net prime volume should be adopted as a national quality measure.
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J Extra Corpor Technol · Dec 2019
The Effect of Standardizing Autologous Prime Techniques in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery with Cardiopulmonary Bypass.
Autologous priming (AP) of the extracorporeal circuit has been used as a technique to reduce iatrogenic anemia in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The purpose of this study was to review the results of standardizing AP techniques to reduce variation among clinicians and its effect on clinical outcomes. Standardized goal-directed protocols for AP were established by the cardiac team and applied to all adult cardiac surgical patients where CPB was used. ⋯ ST-AP (44.6%), p < .01. There was no difference in intraoperative RBC transfusion, but postoperatively, more patients in the NST-AP group received RBCs than those in the ST-AP group (51.2% vs. 28.2%, p < .01). The application of an ST-AP protocol was effective in reducing hemodilution, which was associated within higher Hcts and lower postoperative transfusion rates.
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J Extra Corpor Technol · Sep 2019
Observational StudyLactated Ringer's as a Base Solution for del Nido Cardioplegia.
Unavailability of Plasma-Lyte A precludes the utility of traditional del Nido cardioplegia in many countries. This observational study aimed to evaluate myocardial preservation and clinical outcomes when using lactated Ringer's solution as the base solution for del Nido cardioplegia as compared with our institute's standard blood cardioplegia strategy. Eighty-nine adult patients underwent cardiac surgery for acquired heart disease from February 2017 to November 2017 either with del Nido cardioplegia (n = 44) or blood cardioplegia (n = 45). ⋯ The use of traditional del Nido cardioplegia ingredients added to lactated Ringer's as the base solution provided either similar or superior myocardial protection than our blood cardioplegia strategy depending on the outcome measure analyzed. The use of lactated Ringer's as a base solution may be an option for centers that do not have access to Plasma-Lyte. Further investigation and follow-up are warranted after this observational study.
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J Extra Corpor Technol · Sep 2019
A Simple Scoring System to Predict Survival after Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.
Patients undergoing consideration for venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) require an immediate risk profile assessment in the setting of incomplete or no information. A retrospective cohort study of 100 patients undergoing VA ECMO placement at three institutions was carried out. Variables strongly associated with survival to discharge were used to calculate a risk stratification score. ⋯ The expected mortality closely paralleled the observed mortality. A simple scoring system composed of easily collected variables may help predict mortality. However, it is not intended to replace an experienced clinician's judgment, but to enhance it.