Mechanical Cardiac Support Research Articles

P336 PROCALCITONIN AS PREDICTOR OF IN–HOSPITAL MORTALITY IN A CARDIOGENIC SHOCK POPULATION: A 10–YEARS SINGLE CENTRE RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Abstract Background Plasmatic procalcitonin (PCT) is an acute–phase inflammatory marker, its value tends to increase during inflammatory conditions such as septic shock, cardiogenic shock (CS) and bacterial infections. Patients with CS complicating acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and signs of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) can show increased PCT values but its prognostic role in this setting is still unknown. Purpose: evalute prognostic role of plasmatic PCT in an ischemic CS population. Methods All consecutive patients with CS after AMI admitted at our CICU from March 2012 to July 2021 were included in this single–centre retrospective study. We evaluated PCT and C reactive protein (CRE) values in blood sample only in patients with clinical signs of SIRS or infection. Microbiological examination were also collected to exclude a bacterial infection. Results We included 167 patients [males 67%; mean age 71 years] with ischemic CS. Patients had severe LV dysfunction in 66%. Baseline serum lactate was 5,2 (3,1–8,8) mmol/L. All patients required inotropes while 91,1% required mechanical cardiac support (MCS). The overall in–hospital mortality rate was 46%. The PCT values resulted to be an in–hospital mortality predictor at multivariate analysis (p = 0,018) and we observed a generally lower PCT values in surviving CS patients (Fig 1). At the analysis the optimal maximum PCT cut–off value to predict in–hospital mortality was 5,77 ng/l (SE 0,82; SP 0,72, accuracy 0,78) with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.80 (Fig 2). Moreover positivity to microbiological examination such as urine colture, blood colture, bronchoalveolar lavage and maximum CPR values were not associated with in–hospital death at univariable analysis. Conclusions in our retrospective study we found that PCT is an in–hospital mortality predictor and values greater than 5,77 ng/ml seem to be a good indicator of patients with poor prognosis in ischemic CS patients. High PCT values could have a role in indentifing CS patients with a intense SIRS or with a septic shock component which is associated with a even higher in–hospital mortality rate. The positivity to microbiological examination and maximum CPR values weren’t death predictors in our sample. Further studies in larger CS population could be advisable to better define prognostic role of PCT and evaluate its role in CICU daily clinical practice.

Donor Pericardial Interleukin and Apolipoprotein Levels May Predict the Outcome after Human Orthotopic Heart Transplantation

The proinflammatory cascade that is activated at the time of brain death plays a crucial role in organ procurement. Our aim of this study was to explore the relationship between the clinical outcome of orthotopic heart transplantation, as well as cytokine and apolipoprotein profiles of the pericardial fluid obtained at donation. Interleukin, adipokine and lipoprotein levels in the pericardial fluid, as well as clinical data of twenty donors after brain death, were investigated. Outcome variables included primary graft dysfunction, the need for posttransplantation mechanical cardiac support and International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation grade ≥ 2R rejection. Hormone management and donor risk scores were also investigated. Lower levels of IL-6 were observed in primary graft dysfunction (median: 36.72 [IQR: 19.47-62.90] versus 183.67 [41.21-452.56]; p = 0.029) and in the need for mechanical cardiac support (44.12 [20.12-85.70] versus 247.13 [38.51-510.38]; p = 0.043). Rejection was associated with lower ApoAII (p = 0.021), ApoB100 (p = 0.032) and ApoM levels (p = 0.025). Lower adipsin levels were detected in those patients receiving desmopressin (p = 0.037); moreover, lower leptin levels were found in those patients receiving glucocorticoid therapy (p = 0.045), and higher T3 levels were found in those patients treated with L-thyroxine (p = 0.047) compared to those patients not receiving these hormone replacement therapies. IL-5 levels were significantly associated with UNOS-D score (p = 0.004), Heart Donor Score (HDS) and Adapted HDS (p < 0.001). The monitoring of immunological and metabolic changes in donors after brain death may help in the prediction of potential complications after heart transplantation, thus potentially optimizing donor heart allocation.

Temporal trend mortality and in-hospital mortality predictors in an ischemic cardiogenic shock population: a 10 years single-centre retrospective study

Abstract Background Cardiogenic shock (CS) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a life-threatening condition with an high rate of in-hospital mortality. Purpose This study aims to 1) describe predictors of in-hospital mortality; 2) evaluate ten years mortality temporal trend in our Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU); 3) assess the feasibility of CARDSHOCK risk score in our population; 4) elaborate a simpler version of CARDSHOCK risk score. Methods All consecutive patients with CS after AMI admitted at our CICU from March 2012 to July 2021 were included in this single-centre retrospective study. Results We included 167 patients [males 67%; age 71 (61–80) years] with ischemic CS. Patients had severe LV dysfunction in 66%. Baseline serum lactate was 5.2 (3.1–8.8) mmol/L. All patients required inotropes: 71% required dopamine [mean dose 5.6 (2.4–11,3) mcg/kg/min], 65% required noradrenaline [mean dose 0.10 (0.05–0.18) mcg/kg/min], 32% required dobutamine [mean dose 4.5 (2.2–15.9) mcg/kg/min]; 17.4% received levosimendan alone [mean dose 0.1 mcg/kg/min]. Mechanical cardiac support (MCS) was pursued in 91.1% [65% IABP, 23% Impella CP, 4% VA-ECMO]. From March 2012 to July 2021 we observed a significative temporal trend mortality reduction (OR=0.90, 95% CI: 0.84–0.96, p=0.0015), in particular in-hospital mortality has reduced from 57% of first time-quartile to 29% of the fourth quartile (Figure 1). In addition we also noted a significant increase in Impella catheter use (p=0.0005) with a consequent reduction of IABP (p=0.01), a reduction in dopamine administration (p=0.0007) and a greater use of dobutamine and levosimendan (p=0.015 and p=0.0001). In our population of AMI-CS patients CARDSHOCK risk score was a reliable in-hospital mortality predictor tool (OR 1.11; 95% CI, 1.06–1.17; p=0.00011). After the multivariate analysis only ejection fraction (EF) at baseline (OR=0.99, 95% CI: 0.98–0.99, p=0.009), lactate level at presentation (OR=1.03, 95% CI: 1.01–1.06, p=0.015) and presence of three-vessels coronary artery disease (OR=0.73, 95% CI: 0.59–0.90, p=0.0038) resulted to be in-hospital mortality predictors. For this reason, a prediction model composed by those three variables was created which exhibited better predictive performance for in-hospital mortality than Cardshock risk score (AUC of 0.94 vs AUC of 0.72 respectively, p=0.015) (Figure 2). Conclusions In our retrospective single-centre study a significant reduction of mortality through the years is observed, probably due to more extensive use of micro axial pumps and better manipulation of inotropic drug therapies. The use of Cardshock risk score has been proven to be a feasible tool in prediction on in-hospital mortality also in our sample composed only of AMI-CS patients. In addition, a more simplified risk score made up of only three clinical variables demonstrates at least the same predictive performance. Future validation in a larger population could be advisable to validate the simplified score. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Right Heart Echocardiography Parameters and Other Predictors to Evaluate Mechanical Cardiac Support Necessity During Lung Transplantation

Lung transplantation (LuTx) is a challenge when right heart function fails. Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is then necessary. We aimed to investigate whether preoperative transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) can predict MCS use and help to exclude the sickest patients. Between 2011 and 2018, 52 patients at our institution received LuTx and qualified for this study: 35 bilateral, 16 single, 1 lobar [1] and 1 retransplantation procedure. Of these, 22 were operated using MCS and 30 without MCS. The patients were aged between 18 and 65 years, and 23 were women. The indications were lung fibrosis for 18 patients, chronic obstructive lung disease for 16, cystic fibrosis for 15, primary pulmonary hypertension for 2 and bronchiectasis for 1. TTE was performed up to 30 days before treatment and 1 to 7 days after. Patients undergoing MCS versus patients not undergoing MCS: preoperative right ventricular systolic pressure 56.5 (30) vs 37.8 (11.5) mm Hg (P=.03); tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient 48.7 (27) vs 30.2 (10.8) mm Hg (P=.015); tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion 17.8 (4.3) vs 19.9 (2.8) mm Hg (P=.04); pulmonary artery diameter 27.5 (5.2) vs 23.9 (4.1) mm (P=.004); age 41.9 (14.1) vs 54.3 (11.8) years (P=.001). Patients who were Dead versus patients who were alive pulmonary valve acceleration time of 82.8 (24.1) vs 104.9 (27.2) ms (hazard ratio [HR]=0.959, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.923-0.996 per ms, P=.02) and pulmonary artery diameter of 28.9 (5.8) vs 24.4 (4.1) mm HR=1.225, 95% CI=1.028-1.460 per 1 mm, P=.016 were predictors of death. Preoperative TTE parameters: right ventricular systolic pressure, tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, and pulmonary artery diameter predicted MCS use during LuTx. Certain values of valve acceleration time and pulmonary artery diameter could help discern LuTx qualification.

Device-based therapy for decompensated heart failure: An updated review of devices in development based on the DRI2P2S classification.

Congestive heart failure (HF) is a devastating disease leading to prolonged hospitalization, high morbidity and mortality rates, and increased costs. Well-established treatments for decompensated or unstable patients include medications and mechanical cardiac support devices. For acute HF decompensation, new devices are being developed to help relieve symptoms and recover heart and renal function in these patients. A recent device-based classification scheme, collectively classified as DRI2P2S, has been proposed to better describe these new device-based therapies based on their mechanism: dilators (increase venous capacitance), removers (direct removal of sodium and water), inotropes (increase left ventricular contractility), interstitials (accelerate removal of lymph), pushers (increase renal arterial pressure), pullers (decrease renal venous pressure), and selective (selective intrarenal drug infusion). In this review, we describe the new class of medical devices with the most current results reported in preclinical models and clinical trials.

Mechanical Cardiac Support With an Implantable Direct Cardiac Compression Device: Proof of Concept

PurposeWe examined the hemodynamic effects of a new, implantable, direct cardiac assist device in an ovine heart failure model. DescriptionThe device, which encompasses both left and right ventricles, is inserted through the pericardial apex and self-expands to encompass the heart without suturing. The intact pericardium anchors the device in place. The device has 2 concentric chamber layers: an internal chamber layer filled with fluid to conform to the heart and an external chamber layer filled with air that provides external compression and negative pressure to aid relaxation. EvaluationThe device was implanted in 7 sheep with heart failure induced by microsphere embolization. Cardiac performance was assessed for 6 to 8 hours. The cardiac assist device provided cardiac systolic and diastolic assistance, as shown by pressure tracings of the left ventricle and aorta, pulmonary artery flow, and +dP/dt. Central venous pressure decreased during cardiac assistance. No anatomic damage was noted postmortem. ConclusionsSystolic and diastolic cardiac assistance can be achieved with this device that compresses and relaxes in synchrony with the native cardiac cycle.

Mild and moderate to severe early acute kidney injury following cardiac surgery among patients with heart failure and preserved vs. mid-range vs. reduced ejection fraction: A retrospective cohort study.

Patients with heart failure who undergo cardiac surgery have increased long-term mortality in which acute kidney injury (AKI) plays a role. However, little is known about whether the incidence of AKI differs according to stratified left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). To assess the risks of mild AKI and moderate to severe AKI postcardiac surgery among patients with heart failure. Retrospective cohort analysis of patient data. Ejection fractions were categorised as LVEF less than 40%, heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF); LVEF 40 to 49%, heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF); and LVEF at least 50%, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Patients who underwent cardiac surgery from 2012 to 2019 in Fuwai Hospital, Beijing, China, were consecutively enrolled. The primary endpoint was postoperative AKI staged either as mild AKI or moderate to severe AKI. The secondary outcome was the peri-operative composite adverse event of dialysis support, tracheotomy, intrasurgical and postsurgical mechanical cardiac support and in-hospital mortality. This study also assessed chronic renal dysfunction at follow-up. Of the 54 696 included patients, 18.9% presented with heart failure. Among these with HFpEF, HFmrEF and HFrEF, the incidence of postoperative mild AKI was 37.0, 33.4 and 37.6%, respectively. Patients with HFpEF and HFmrEF were characterised by numerically greater prevalence of moderate to severe AKI than HFrEF (8.5 vs. 9.1 vs. 5.8%). HFrEF and HFmrEF patients had comparable risks for mild AKI relative to HFpEF patients, odds ratio (OR) 0.885; 95% confidence interval CI 0.763 to 1.027 for HFmrEF vs. HFpEF; OR 1.083; 95% CI 0.933 to 1.256 for HFrEF vs. HFpEF. Patients with HFmrEF were more at risk for moderate to severe AKI than patients with HFpEF (OR, 1.368; 95% CI 1.066 to 1.742), but HFrEF and HFpEF did not differ significantly (OR 1.012; 95% CI 0.752 to 1.346). An increasing number of noncardiac comorbidities led to a higher risk of mild AKI and moderate to severe AKI in patients with heart failure; and its effect on AKI was almost equal among the three heart failure strata. The incidence of postoperative composite adverse outcome increased in a graded manner from HFpEF to HFmrEF to HFrEF. Information on the creatine concentrations at 3 months postoperatively and longer were retained for 5200 out of 10 347 (50.6%) heart failure patients in our charts.The AKI severity and the presence of HFmrEF contributed substantially to the development of renal dysfunction over a median [IQR] follow-up of 10 months [4.0 to 21.0]. Initiative programmes aimed at patients with HFrEF to prevent moderate to severe AKI and chronic kidney dysfunction should also include patients with HFmrEF.

The CorInnova Implantable Cardiac Assist System for Direct Cardiac Compression.

The CorInnova cardiac compression device (CorInnova, Inc., Houston, TX, USA) is designed to provide direct biventricular support, increase cardiac output, and improve ventricular unloading in patients with heart failure. Placed within the pericardium and surrounding both ventricles, the device has two concentric sets of thin-film polyurethane chambers: (1) inner (epicardial) saline-filled chambers that conform intimately to the epicardial surface, eradicating any gaps in the interface between the device and the heart; and (2) outer air-filled chambers cycled to provide epicardial compression during systole and negative epicardial pressure during diastole, consistent with physiological cardiac contraction and relaxation. A superelastic, collapsible Nitinol frame gives the device structure, enables minimally invasive self-deployment, and enhances diastolic filling. Preclinical testing has been extremely promising, with improvements in cardiac output and other cardiac parameters in animal heart failure models. This potentially transformative technology is moving rapidly toward first-in-human use. The CorInnova device may provide an effective device-based solution for patients with heart failure who currently have few or limited mechanical cardiac support options, including patients with biventricular cardiac failure, those with right heart failure, those who are older, and those who are of smaller size. It can be removed easily and requires minimal maintenance. An important, unique feature of this technology is that it provides mechanical cardiac assistance without blood contact or need for anticoagulation. The CorInnova device may be particularly important for those patients who have contraindications to anticoagulation due to allergy, neurological bleeds, or preexisting hemorrhage. No other mechanical circulatory support device addresses these underserved heart-failure populations.

Outcome of Paediatric Cardiac Re-Transplantation in the Mechanical Support Era

<h3>Purpose</h3> To review the outcome of paediatric cardiac re-transplantation (reOHTx) in the mechanical cardiac support (MCS) era. <h3>Methods</h3> A retrospective study of patients less than 18 years of age who underwent reOHTx in our Institution. Data were obtained from departmental databases and hospital medical records. <h3>Results</h3> From 1987 to 2021, 21 patients underwent reOHTx. Diagnoses leading to first transplant were dilated cardiomyopathy in 12 (10 idiopathic, 1 post-chemotherapy, 1 related to viral myocarditis), restrictive cardiomyopathy in 1, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in 1 and congenital heart disease in 7 patients. Mean age at first OHTx was 8 years. Prior to primary transplant, one patient was supported with Levitronix Centrimag LVAD, one with BIVAD, a child with VA-ECMO followed by Berlin Heart EXCOR LVAD and one child with VA-ECMO only. Mean time course between first and second OHTx was 82 months. Eleven patients were mechanically supported as a bridge to reOHTx: 8 with Levitronix Centrimag BIVAD (2 from VA-ECMO), 4 with VA-ECMO, 2 with Berlin Heart EXCOR BIVAD, 2 with Berlin Heart EXCOR LVAD and 1 with Heartware. Mean time on support was 54 days (1-275). There was only one early death after reOHTx. This patient received the second heart 8 days after the first transplant and died from 2 days post reOHTx due to brain hemorrhage. One patient required 2 VA-ECMO runs due to acute graft failure. Two patients required VA-ECMO post reOHTx. Eight patients required renal replacement therapy. Five suffered a cerebrovascular accident. Mean follow up is 112 months. There were 7 late deaths in this period of 34 years, 2 of them related to rejection due to poor compliance with immunosuppressive treatment. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Re-transplantation in children carries a very good outcome. With mechanical cardiac support we can bridge children to reOHTx more effectively. Furthermore, MCS can be also used in acute graft failure or for immunological manipulation in acute rejection.

Hemodynamic profiles by non-invasive monitoring of cardiac index and vascular tone in acute heart failure patients in the emergency department: External validation and clinical outcomes

Non-invasive finger-cuff monitors measuring cardiac index and vascular tone (SVRI) classify emergency department (ED) patients with acute heart failure (AHF) into three otherwise-indistinguishable subgroups. Our goals were to validate these "hemodynamic profiles" in an external cohort and assess their association with clinical outcomes. AHF patients (n = 257) from five EDs were prospectively enrolled in the validation cohort (VC). Cardiac index and SVRI were measured with a ClearSight finger-cuff monitor (formerly NexFin, Edwards Lifesciences) as in a previous study (derivation cohort, DC, n = 127). A control cohort (CC, n = 127) of ED patients with sepsis was drawn from the same study as the DC. K-means cluster analysis previously derived two-dimensional (cardiac index and SVRI) hemodynamic profiles in the DC and CC (k = 3 profiles each). The VC was subgrouped de novo into three analogous profiles by unsupervised K-means consensus clustering. PERMANOVA tested whether VC profiles 1-3 differed from profiles 1-3 in the DC and CC, by multivariate group composition of cardiac index and vascular tone. Profiles in the VC were compared by a primary outcome of 90-day mortality and a 30-day ranked composite secondary outcome (death, mechanical cardiac support, intubation, new/emergent dialysis, coronary intervention/surgery) as time-to-event (survival analysis) and binary events (odds ratio, OR). Descriptive statistics were used to compare profiles by two validated risk scores for the primary outcome, and one validated score for the secondary outcome. The VC had median age 60 years (interquartile range {49-67}), and was 45% (n = 116) female. Multivariate profile composition by cardiac index and vascular tone differed significantly between VC profiles 1-3 and CC profiles 1-3 (p = 0.001, R2 = 0.159). A difference was not detected between profiles in the VC vs. the DC (p = 0.59, R2 = 0.016). VC profile 3 had worse 90-day survival than profiles 1 or 2 (HR = 4.8, 95%CI 1.4-17.1). The ranked secondary outcome was more likely in profile 1 (OR = 10.0, 1.2-81.2) and profile 3 (12.8, 1.7-97.9) compared to profile 2. Diabetes prevalence and blood urea nitrogen were lower in the high-risk profile 3 (p<0.05). No significant differences between profiles were observed for other clinical variables or the 3 clinical risk scores. Hemodynamic profiles in ED patients with AHF, by non-invasive finger-cuff monitoring of cardiac index and vascular tone, were replicated de novo in an external cohort. Profiles showed significantly different risks of clinically-important adverse patient outcomes.

Cerebral Autoregulation Indices Are Not Interchangeable in Patients With Sepsis.

IntroductionDynamic cerebral autoregulation (dCA) is frequently altered in patients with sepsis and may be associated with sepsis-associated brain dysfunction. However, the optimal index to quantify dCA in patients with sepsis is currently unknown.ObjectiveTo assess the agreement between two validated dCA indices in patients with sepsis.MethodsRetrospective analysis of prospectively collected data in patients with sepsis; those with acute or chronic intracranial disease, arrhythmias, mechanical cardiac support, or history of supra-aortic vascular disease were excluded. Transcranial Doppler was performed on the right or left middle cerebral artery (MCA) with a 2-MHz probe, and MCA blood flow velocity (FV) and arterial pressure (BP) signals were simultaneously recorded. We calculated two indices of dCA: the mean flow index (Mxa), which is the Pearson correlation coefficient between BP and FV (MATLAB, MathWorks), and the autoregulation index (ARI), which is the transfer function analysis of spontaneous fluctuations in BP and FV (custom-written FORTRAN code). Impaired dCA was defined as Mxa >0.3 or ARI ≤ 4. The agreement between the two indices was assessed by Cohen's kappa coefficient.ResultsWe included 95 patients (age 64 ± 13 years old; male 74%); ARI was 4.38 [2.83–6.04] and Mxa was 0.32 [0.14–0.59], respectively. There was no correlation between ARI and Mxa (r = −0.08; p = 0.39). dCA was altered in 40 (42%) patients according to ARI and in 50 (53%) patients according to Mxa. ARI and Mxa were concordant in classifying 23 (24%) patients as having impaired dCA and 28 (29%) patients as having intact dCA. Cohen's kappa coefficient was 0.08, suggesting poor agreement. ARI was altered more frequently in patients on mechanical ventilation than others (27/52, 52% vs. 13/43, 30%, p = 0.04), whereas Mxa did not differ between those two groups. On the contrary, Mxa was altered more frequently in patients receiving sedatives than others (23/34, 68% vs. 27/61, 44%, p = 0.03), whereas ARI did not differ between these two groups.ConclusionsAgreement between ARI and Mxa in assessing dCA in patients with sepsis was poor. The identification of specific factors influencing the dCA analysis might lead to a better selection of the adequate cerebral autoregulation (CAR) index in critically ill patients with sepsis.

Effect of Intra-arrest Transport, Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, and Immediate Invasive Assessment and Treatment on Functional Neurologic Outcome in Refractory Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

<h3>Importance</h3> Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) has poor outcome. Whether intra-arrest transport, extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR), and immediate invasive assessment and treatment (invasive strategy) is beneficial in this setting remains uncertain. <h3>Objective</h3> To determine whether an early invasive approach in adults with refractory OHCA improves neurologically favorable survival. <h3>Design, Setting, and Participants</h3> Single-center, randomized clinical trial in Prague, Czech Republic, of adults with a witnessed OHCA of presumed cardiac origin without return of spontaneous circulation. A total of 256 participants, of a planned sample size of 285, were enrolled between March 2013 and October 2020. Patients were observed until death or day 180 (last patient follow-up ended on March 30, 2021). <h3>Interventions</h3> In the invasive strategy group (n = 124), mechanical compression was initiated, followed by intra-arrest transport to a cardiac center for ECPR and immediate invasive assessment and treatment. Regular advanced cardiac life support was continued on-site in the standard strategy group (n = 132). <h3>Main Outcomes and Measures</h3> The primary outcome was survival with a good neurologic outcome (defined as Cerebral Performance Category [CPC] 1-2) at 180 days after randomization. Secondary outcomes included neurologic recovery at 30 days (defined as CPC 1-2 at any time within the first 30 days) and cardiac recovery at 30 days (defined as no need for pharmacological or mechanical cardiac support for at least 24 hours). <h3>Results</h3> The trial was stopped at the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring board when prespecified criteria for futility were met. Among 256 patients (median age, 58 years; 44 [17%] women), 256 (100%) completed the trial. In the main analysis, 39 patients (31.5%) in the invasive strategy group and 29 (22.0%) in the standard strategy group survived to 180 days with good neurologic outcome (odds ratio [OR], 1.63 [95% CI, 0.93 to 2.85]; difference, 9.5% [95% CI, −1.3% to 20.1%];<i>P</i> = .09). At 30 days, neurologic recovery had occurred in 38 patients (30.6%) in the invasive strategy group and in 24 (18.2%) in the standard strategy group (OR, 1.99 [95% CI, 1.11 to 3.57]; difference, 12.4% [95% CI, 1.9% to 22.7%];<i>P</i> = .02), and cardiac recovery had occurred in 54 (43.5%) and 45 (34.1%) patients, respectively (OR, 1.49 [95% CI, 0.91 to 2.47]; difference, 9.4% [95% CI, −2.5% to 21%];<i>P</i> = .12). Bleeding occurred more frequently in the invasive strategy vs standard strategy group (31% vs 15%, respectively). <h3>Conclusions and Relevance</h3> Among patients with refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, the bundle of early intra-arrest transport, ECPR, and invasive assessment and treatment did not significantly improve survival with neurologically favorable outcome at 180 days compared with standard resuscitation. However, the trial was possibly underpowered to detect a clinically relevant difference. <h3>Trial Registration</h3> ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:NCT01511666

Up-dates on Cardio-Circulatory Support

In-hospital mortality rates have approved in the recent past1 6 to 12-month death persists at approximately 50%2. The goal of treatment is to reestablish tissue perfusion while closely monitoring hemodynamics. Provisional automatic cardiovascular support is a mainstay of the management of patients who cannot be stabilized with medical therapy. Apart from the acute setting, automatic cardiovascular support is also used in the mid- and long-term treatment of heart failure patients. This can either be until heart transplant or life-long in patents who are not candidates for heart transplant. Further it is an essential tool of open-heart surgery. In the present review we will give an overview and update of the different devices for mechanical cardiac support. Non-mechanical Cardio-Circulatory Support includes intravenous fluids and pharmacological treatment with vasopressors and inotropic agents. Norepinephrine is mainly a vasopressor, but also has other activities such as inotropy. It serves as first line agent, particularly in the acute setting of a cardiogenic shock. A recent randomized trial comparing Norepinephrine versus Epinephrine in cardiogenic shock after myocardial infarction found that Norepinephrine appeared to be a safer choice than Epinephrine3. Vasopressin causes less pulmonary vasoconstriction than norepinephrine and is therefore might better as a first line vasopressor compared to Norepinephrine4. Dobutamine, a beta agonist is frequently being used for cardiogenic shock, acting as inotropic agent. Levosimendan is a Calcium sensitizer and often used in patients with acute decompensation of chronic heart failure.

Mechanical Cardiac Circulatory Support: an Overview of the Challenges for the Anesthetist.

Purpose of ReviewOwing to increased utilization of Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) devices, patients with these devices frequently present for surgeries requiring anesthetic support. The current article provides basics of perioperative management of these devices.Recent FindingsUse of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are on the rise with recently updated management guidelines. Veno-venous ECMO utilization has been widely utilized as a salvage therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic.SummaryIntra-Aortic Balloon Pumps continue to be one of the most frequently used devices after acute myocardial infarction. ECMO is utilized for pulmonary or cardiopulmonary support as salvage therapy. LVADs are used in patients with end-stage heart failure as a destination therapy or bridge to transplant. Each of these devices present with their own set of management challenges. Anesthetic management of patients with MCS devices requires a thorough understanding of underlying operating and hemodynamic principles.

Thrombosis of the innominate artery during prolonged cardiac support by right transaxillary Impella 5.0 device

We describe an unexpected complication in a 46-years-old man affected by ischemic cardiomyopathy who received a prolonged mechanical cardiac support by means of right transaxillary Impella 5.0. The postoperative course was complicated by recurrent septicemia from multi-durg resistant Acinetobacter baumanii. He underwent implantation of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation because of refractory cardiac arrest, followed by Impella removal that has been complicated by embolic stroke. The likely source of the embolus was a large thrombus inside the innominate artery. After a long-standing right transaxillary device implantation, particularly in patients with intercurrent septic episodes, a CT angiographic scan should be planned to exclude arterial thrombosis before removal of the transarterial device.

Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in patients with cardiogenic shock: rationale and design of the randomised, multicentre, open-label EURO SHOCK trial.

Cardiogenic shock (CGS) occurs in 6-10% of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Mortality has fallen over time from 80% to approximately 50% consequent on acute revascularisation but has plateaued since the 1990s. Once established, patients with CGS develop adverse compensatory mechanisms that contribute to the downward spiral towards death, which becomes difficult to reverse. We aimed to test in a robust, prospective, randomised controlled trial whether early support with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) provides clinical benefit by improving mortality and morbidity. The EURO SHOCK trial will test the benefit or otherwise of mechanical cardiac support using VA-ECMO, initiated early after acute percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for CGS. The trial sets out to randomise 428 patients with CGS complicating ACS, following primary PCI (P-PCI), to either very early ECMO plus standard pharmacotherapy, or standard pharmacotherapy alone. It will be conducted in 39 European centres. The primary endpoint is 30-day all-cause mortality with key secondary endpoints: 1) 12-month all-cause mortality or admission for heart failure, 2) 12-month all-cause mortality, 3) 12-month admission for heart failure. Cost-effectiveness analysis (including quality of life measures) will be embedded. Mechanistic and hypothesis-generating substudies will be undertaken. The EURO SHOCK trial will determine whether early initiation of VA-ECMO in patients presenting with ACS-CGS persisting after PCI improves mortality and morbidity.

Current Strategies for the Management of Anomalous Origin of Coronary Arteries from the Pulmonary Artery.

The coronary arteries, which have to originate from the aorta, may sometimes rise from the pulmonary artery. This study evaluated clinical and diagnostic findings, treatment methods, and follow up of cases with anomalous coronary arteries arising from the pulmonary artery. Eight patients with the diagnosis of anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) (N = 6) and anomalous right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ARCAPA) (N = 2), between January 2014 and January 2020 from a single center university hospital, were included in the study. Data from patients' demographic characteristics, electrocardiography, echocardiography, angiographic findings, operation, hospitalization, and follow up were evaluated. The study included eight patients (six females and two males) - six patients with ALCAPA and two with ARCAPA. The ages of the patients ranged between 3-135 (average: 53.25) months. The median body weight was calculated as 17.4 kg. Severe mitral valve insufficiency was detected in two patients and two other patients had a moderate degree of mitral insufficiency on echocardiography. Ejection fractions ranged between 16-74%. One patient had perimembranous malalignment large ventricular septal defect with pulmonary stenosis. Operative techniques were Takeuchi procedure (three patients), direct implantation (four patients), and left internal thoracic artery to left main coronary artery bypass (one patient). Mechanical cardiac support was not required in the postoperative period. Mortality did not occur. Mitral insufficiency and ejection fractions improved following correction of the coronary anatomy. It is important to diagnose the ALCAPA or ARCAPA, where the coronary artery originates from the pulmonary artery. Patients should be treated before congestive heart failure and fatal complications occur. Surgical correction should be planned regardless of symptom status, even though some of patients reach adulthood with an increased number of collaterals.

The role of mechanical support devices during percutaneous coronary intervention.

The practice of interventional cardiology has changed dramatically over the last four decades since Andreas Gruentzig carried out the first balloon angioplasty. The obvious technological improvements in stent design and interventional techniques have facilitated the routine treatment of a higher risk cohort of patients, including those with complex coronary artery disease and poor left ventricular function, and more often in the setting of cardiogenic shock (CS) complicating acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The use of mechanical cardiac support (MCS) in these settings has been the subject of intense interest, particularly over the past decade . A number of commercially available devices now add to the interventional cardiologist’s armamentarium when faced with the critically unwell or high-risk patient in the cardiac catheter laboratory. The theoretical advantage of such devices in these settings is clear- an increase in cardiac output and hence mean arterial pressure, with variable effects on coronary blood flow. In doing so, they have the potential to prevent the downward cascade of ischaemia and hypoperfusion, but there is a paucity of evidence to support their routine use in any patient subset, even those presenting with cardiogenic shock. This review will discuss the use and haemodynamic effect of MCS devices during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and also examine the clinical evidence for their use in patients with cardiogenic shock, and those undergoing ‘high risk’ PCI

Anesthetic management of peripartum cardiomyopathy.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare idiopathic cardiomyopathy frequently presenting with heart failure secondary to left ventricular systolic dysfunction towards the end of pregnancy or in the months following delivery. Within the published literature, there are case reports extolling the safety of both regional and general anesthetic interventions in PPCM. However, there is an absence of high-quality evidence to define a suitable paradigm for peri-operative care. In the absence of a large prospective case series or clinical trials, the synthesis of clinical data from published case reports provides an opportunity to distil published clinical data and explore the effect of clinical interventions. A systematic search of English articles English language case reports published between 1986 and 2020 within multiple databases. Clinical data was extracted and aggregated into a database for analysis. Gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia were pre-partum risk factors. 403 case reports provided 466 individual cases from 48 countries. Neither regional nor general anesthetic interventions in the peripartum period have a discernible impact on the outcome of patients with PPCM. Rapid unpredictable deterioration in the peripartum period, requiring mechanical cardiac support or heart transplantation is described. The mortality of PPCM is 5-6%. Patients with PPCM are at risk of rapid unpredictable decline. Management within specialist centers should be considered. Although the data is unsuitable to provide a comprehensive paradigm for the anesthetic and critical care management of PPCM, the observations provide a direction for future clinical audits and trials.

Implantation of Impella CP left ventricular assist device under the guidance of three-dimensional intracardiac echocardiography

Impella CP is a percutaneously inserted left ventricular assist device indicated for temporary mechanical cardiac support during high risk percutaneous coronary interventions and for cardiogenic shock. The potential application of Impella has become particularly relevant during the current COVID-19 pandemic, for patients with acute severe heart failure complicating viral illness. Standard implantation of the Impella CP is performed under fluoroscopic guidance. Positioning of the Impella CP can be confirmed with transthoracic or transoesophageal echocardiography. We describe an alternative approach to guide intracardiac implantation of the Impella CP using two-dimensional and three-dimensional intracardiac echocardiography. This new technique can be useful in selected groups of patients when fluoroscopy, transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography is deemed inapplicable or limited for epidemiological or clinical reasons. Intracardiac three-dimensional echocardiography is a feasible alternative to the traditional techniques for implantation of an Impella CP device but careful consideration must be given to the potential limitations and complications of this technique.