The Journal of extra-corporeal technology
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J Extra Corpor Technol · Jun 2007
Randomized Controlled TrialAutotransfusion management during and after cardiopulmonary bypass alters fibrin degradation and transfusion requirements.
The coagulation-fibrinolytic profile during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) has been widely documented. However, less information is available on the possible persistence of these alterations when autotransfusion is used in management of perioperative blood loss. This study was designed to explore the influence of autotransfusion management on intravascular fibrin degradation and postoperative transfusions. Thirty patients, undergoing elective primary isolated coronary bypass grafting, were randomly allocated either to a control group (group A; n=15) or an intervention group (group B; n=15) in which mediastinal and residual CPB blood was collected and processed by a continuous autotransfusion system before re-infusion. Intravascular fibrin degradation as indicated by D-dimer generation was measured at five specific intervals and corrected for hemodilution. In addition, chest tube drainage and need for homologous blood were monitored. D-dimer generation increased significantly during CPB in group A, from 312 to 633 vs. 291 to 356 ng/mL in group B (p = .001). The unprocessed residual blood (group A) revealed an unequivocal D-dimer elevation, 4131 +/- 1063 vs. 279 +/- 103 ng/mL for the processed residual in group B (p < .001). Consequently, in the first post-CPB period, the intravascular fibrin degradation was significantly elevated in group A compared with group B (p = .001). Twenty hours postoperatively, no significant difference in D-dimer levels was detected between both groups. However, a significant intra-group D-dimer elevation pre- vs. postoperative was noticed from 312 to 828 ng/mL in group A and from 291 to 588 ng/mL in group B (p < .01 for both). Postoperative chest tube drainage was higher in the patients from group A, which also had the highest postoperative D-dimer levels. Patients in group A perceived a higher need for transfusions of red cells suspensions postoperatively. These data clearly indicate that autotransfusion management during and after CPB suppresses early postoperative fibrin degradation. ⋯ cardiopulmonary bypass, cardiotomy suction, coronary surgery, autotransfusion, fibrin degradation.
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J Extra Corpor Technol · Jun 2007
Review Case ReportsExtracorporeal membrane oxygenation in severe acute respiratory failure in postpartum woman with rheumatic mitral valve disease: benefit, factors furthering the success of this procedure, and review of the literature.
Pregnancy is a common decompensation factor for women with post-rheumatic mitral disease. However, valvular heart diseases causing severe acute respiratory distress are rare. Use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) early in the event of cardiorespiratory failure after cardiac surgery may be of benefit. ⋯ ECMO use led to an efficient hemodynamic state without inotropic drug support. The surgical post-operative course was uneventful. Early use of cardiorespiratory support with veno-arterial ECMO allows pulmonary and right heart recovery after cardiac surgery, thus avoiding the use of inotropic drugs and complex ventilatory support.
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J Extra Corpor Technol · Jun 2007
Improved coagulation and blood conservation in the golden hours after cardiopulmonary bypass.
The Hemobag (HB) technique allows the open-heart team to safely concentrate the residual cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuit contents and return a high volume of concentrated clotting factors and blood cells back to the patient as autotransfusion. Hematocrit, platelet count, fibrinogen concentration ([Fib]), prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), and international normalized ratio (INR) were compared between two prospective convenience groups of cardiac surgical patients whose residual circuit blood was processed by the HB (n=10) or by the Cell Saver (CS; n=10) at two times after CPB: (a) after acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) infusion and protamine administration and (b) after admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), approximately 1 hour after CPB and HB content infusion. Minimal cell processing was also used in the HB patients to conserve blood. "Golden hours" is defined as the first few hours after CPB and protamine sulfate administration and extend into the ICU, when maintaining hemostasis is vital during cardiac surgery and is the most susceptible period for blood product administration and the opportunity to improve patient outcome. ⋯ Fibrinogen (p = .048) and hematocrit (p = .046) were significantly higher in the HB group compared with the CS group at the end of the golden hour despite infusion of significantly more allogeneic blood products (p = .070) and more washed red blood cells (RBCs; p = .001) in the CS group. All but one of the HB patients did not receive any allogeneic blood products during the golden hours. Use of the HB technique for salvaging blood is associated with significant increases in the patient's protein and cellular concentrations and lowered coagulation times in the important, first few golden hours after CPB, and except for one patient, without the addition of expensive and precarious allogeneic blood products.
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J Extra Corpor Technol · Jun 2007
Case ReportsGround transportation of a pediatric patient on ECMO support.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a technique for providing cardiac and/or pulmonary support. Many hospitals worldwide practice ECMO at some time, yet few centers are able to offer a portable ECMO service, with the United Kingdom being of no exception. ⋯ A modified Falcon series 2 patient stretcher was used to transport the patient and house the ECMO hardware, consisting of a Levitronix Centri-Mag pump system, a Hico-variotherm 550 heater/cooler unit, and an oxygen supply. Design limitations and future technical recommendations of the portable ECMO system subsequent to clinical experience are discussed.