Venoarterial Extracorporeal Oxygenation Research Articles

Increased white blood cell count is associated with an increased demand for unfractionated heparin during veno-arterial extracorporeal oxygenation in lung transplantation

Increased white blood cell count is associated with an increased demand for unfractionated heparin during veno-arterial extracorporeal oxygenation in lung transplantation

Relationships among hemolysis indicators and neuron-specific-enolase in patients undergoing veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Neuron-specific-enolase is used as a marker of neurological prognosis after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is also present in red blood cells and platelets. It is not known whether hemolysis increases the values of neuron-specific-enolase enough to clinically affect its interpretation in critically ill patients who are to be introduced to veno-arterial extracorporeal oxygenation. In this study, we examined the relationships among neuron-specific-enolase and hemolysis indicators such as free hemoglobin and lactate dehydrogenase after the introduction of veno-arterial extracorporeal oxygenation. Of the 91 patients who underwent veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in our hospital from January 1, 2018, to February 24, 2021, 68 patients survived for more than 24h. Of these, 14 patients who were categorized into the better cerebral performance categories (1-3) and 19 patients who were categorized into the poor neurological prognosis category (4) were included. After the introduction of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, neuron-specific-enolase was markedly higher in the poor neurological prognosis group than in the good neurological prognosis group (41.6 vs. 92.0, p = 0.04). A significant positive correlation was revealed between neuron-specific-enolase and free hemoglobin in the good neurological prognosis group (rs = 0.643, p = 0.0131). A similar relationship was observed for lactate dehydrogenase and neuron-specific-enolase in both the conscious (rs = 0.737, p = 0.00263) and non-conscious groups (rs = 0.544, p = 0.0176). When neuron-specific-enolase is used as a marker for neuroprognostic evaluation, an abnormally high value is likely to indicate the lack of consciousness, whereas a lower elevation should be interpreted with caution, taking into account the effects of hemolysis.

Our Experience in Using Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Patients with Refractory Cardiogenic Shock

Background Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) is a critical care treatment option for patients with refractory cardiogenic shock. This method of temporary support of the cardiorespiratory system gives us and the patient time to restore organ function or is a «bridge» to other methods of treatment. Nevertheless, the issue of identifying the optimal time for VA ECMO implantation in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by refractory cardiogenic shock remains relevant.Aim To evaluate the efficiency of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in various clinical situations in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by refractory cardiogenic shock and post-infarction damage to the valves of the heart.Material and method We present 3 patients with acute coronary syndrome complicated by refractory cardiogenic shock, of different age groups and comorbidities, who underwent veno-arterial extracorporeal oxygenation in various SCAI shock stages, and mechanical complications associated with acute myocardial infarction.Results In all the cases, stabilization of hemodynamics and heart function was achieved, and there were no hypoxic disorders of organs. In one case, a hemorrhagic complication associated with the VA ECMO procedure was noted. In one case, VA ECMO was performed as an intermediate stage for the correction of post-infarction mitral valve injury.Conclusion These clinical cases demonstrate the efficiency of the timely start of VA ECMO before the development of organ dysfunction, which allows restoring myocardial function, and helps maintain hemodynamic normalization before the cardiac surgical stage of treatment.

Long-Term Survival and Quality of Life in Non-Surgical Adult Patients Supported with Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Oxygenation.

The use of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) for hemodynamic support is on the rise. Not much is known about the impact of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and its complications on long-term survival and quality of life. In this single-center, cross-sectional study, we evaluated the survival and quality of life in patients treated with VA ECMO between May 2009 and July 2019. Follow-up was conducted between November 2019 and January 2020. Overall, 118 patients were evaluated in this study. Of the 37 patients who were alive at hospital discharge, 32 answered the EuroQol-5 dimensional-5-level questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L). For patients discharged alive from the hospital, mean survival was 8.1 years, 8.4 years for cardiogenic shock, and 5.0 years for patients with refractory cardiac arrest. EQ-5D-5L index value of ECMO survivors was not significantly different from the general age-matched population. Neurologic complications and major bleeding during index hospitalization limit long-term quality of life. Patients treated with VA ECMO have high in-hospital mortality, with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cardio-pulmonary resuscitation patients being at higher risk of early death. However, once discharged from the hospital, most patients remain alive with a reasonable quality of life.

Fulminant Giant Cell Myocarditis following Heterologous Vaccination of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19

A 48-year-old female patient underwent a heart transplantation for acute fulminant myocarditis, following heterologous vaccination with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19. She had no history of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection. She did not exhibit clinical signs or have laboratory findings of concomitant infection before or after vaccination. Heart transplantation was performed because her heart failed to recover with venoarterial extracorporeal oxygenation support. Organ autopsy revealed giant cell myocarditis, possibly related to the vaccines. Clinicians may have to consider the possibility of the development of giant cell myocarditis, especially in patients with rapidly deteriorating cardiac function and myocarditis symptoms after COVID-19 vaccination.

P1651Pulmonary artery pressure could predict closed aortic valve in patients managed by veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Abstract Background Although veno-arterial extracorporeal oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is widely used as mechanical circulatory support, it reduces native left ventricular (LV) stroke volume through the cardiac preload decrease and afterload increase. Therefore some patients with severe cardiac dysfunction present persistently closed aortic valve (AV). The closed AV is considered to increase the risk of pulmonary edema or intracardiac thrombosis. However, little is known about the variables that contribute to persistently closed AV under the management of VA-ECMO. Purpose We investigated the factors that could predict persistently closed AV at the time of VA-ECMO initiation. Methods This was a retrospective chart review. We investigated the patients who received the management of VA-ECMO due to cardiogenic shock from April 2011 to December 2018, and analyzed 18 patients (43±16 years, 50% female) who presented closed AV immediately after the introduction of VA-ECMO. We obtained the hemodynamic data at the time of VA-ECMO initiation (baseline) and 24h after. The patients who presented persistently closed AV during 24h were defined as Close-group (n=8). The patients whose AV was opened within 24h were defined as Open-group (n=10). The status of AV was investigated by the echocardiogram. Results All patients were managed by concomitant use of intra-aortic balloon pumping. The etiologies were myocarditis (56%), cardiomyopathy (33%), and acute myocardial infarction (11%). Nine patients experienced in-hospital death (6 were Close-group and 3 were Open-group, p=0.15). At baseline, there were no significant differences between mean arterial blood pressure (mABP) (p=0.07), central venous pressure (CVP) (p=0.71), and left ventricular ejection fraction (p=0.44). However, Close-group had significantly lower mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) and pulmonary artery pulse pressure (PAPP) than Open-group (Close-group versus Open-group; MPAP, 15±6 mmHg versus 27±11 mmHg, p=0.01; PAPP, 3±2 mmHg versus 8±3 mmHg, p=0.01). Logistic regression analyses revealed the lower MPAP and PAPP had the predictive value of closed AV within 24-h after VA-ECMO initiation [MPAP: odds ratio (OR) 0.78, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.62–0.99, P=0.003; PAPP: OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.02–1.13, P<0.001]. In the following 24h, no significant change was found in MPAP and PAPP. Conclusion At the time of VA-ECMO initiation, lower MPAP and PAPP had the predictive value for persistently closed AV. LV preload derived from right heart function would have major impact on AV status.

Clinical implications of the initial SAPS II in veno-arterial extracorporeal oxygenation.

Prediction of survival and weaning probability in VA ECMO (veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) patients could be of great benefit for real-time decision making on VA ECMO initiation in critical ill patients. We investigated whether the SAPS II score would be a real-time determinant for VA ECMO initiation and could be a predictor of survival and weaning probability in patients on VA ECMO. Between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2014, VA ECMO was carried out on 135 adult patients suffering from primary cardiogenic shock. To avoid selection bias, we excluded respiratory failure patients treated with VV or other types of ECMO. Successful VA ECMO weaning was defined as weaning, followed by stable survival for more than 48 hours. Survival after VA ECMO was defined as successful weaning and treatment of the underlying medical condition, followed by discharge without any further events. A total of 135 patients consisted of 41 women and 94 men, with a mean age of 59.4±16.5 years. Fifty-three patients had successful weaning, and 35 survived and were discharged uneventfully. Compared to the non-survivors, the survivors showed a lower SAPS II (67.77±20.79 vs. 90.29±13.31, P<0.001), a lower SOFA score (12.63±3.49 vs. 15.33±2.28, P<0.001), a lower predicted death rate (71.12±30.51 vs. 94.00±9.36, P<0.001), a higher initial ipH (7.14±0.22 vs. 6.98±0.15, P<0.001), and a lower initial lactate level (7.09±4.93 vs. 12.11±4.84, P<0.001). The average duration of hospital stay in the successful vs. failed weaning groups was 33.43±27.41 vs. 6.35±8.71 days, and the average duration of ICU stay in the successful vs. failed weaning groups was 20.60±16.88 vs. 5.39±5.95 days. By multivariate logistic regression analysis of initial parameters for VA ECMO assistance, the simplified acute physiology score II (SAPS II) (OR =1.1019, P=0.0389), ipH (OR =0.0010, P=0.0452), and hospital stay (OR =0.8140, P=0.001) had an association with in-hospital mortality on VA ECMO. The initial SAPS II score [area under the curve (AUC) =0.821] demonstrated significantly superior prediction of VA ECMO mortality than age (AUC =0.697), SOFA score (AUC =0.701), ipH (AUC =0.551), and the other parameters. By multivariable CoX regression analysis of survival, only the SAPS II score proved to have statistical significance (hazard ratio, 1.0423; 95% CI, 1.0083-1.0775; P=0.01). Although the precise predictive scoring systems for VA ECMO still remains one of the most difficult challenges to ECMO physicians, the SAPS II score could provide valuable information on prognosis to patient himself, family members and caretakers, and might help physicians increase the survival rate and might avoid a waste of healthcare resources.

Veno‐Arterial ECMO Weaning Failure in the Operating Room: Have You Considered Preweaning Bronchoscopy?

Current guidelines on postcardiotomy veno-arterial extracorporeal oxygenation ECMO (vaECMO) do not mention the assessment of pulmonary function, especially prior to the weaning procedure in the operation room (OR). Mucociliary dysfunction, a nearly ubiquitous finding among mechanically ventilated patients, might put these patients at risk for potential airway problems and associated weaning failure at the time of vaECMO weaning in the OR. In conformity to veno-venous ECMO management, we suggest routine bronchoscopy with bronchial hygiene in the ICU prior to vaECMO weaning in the OR. Likewise, an assessment of patient pleura for effusions should be routinely performed. Although cardiac and respiratory failure often co-exist and there are multiple causes of respiratory failure in patients who require vaECMO, we anticipate that vaECMO patients would significantly benefit from an expanded focus on the pulmonary function and possible respiratory mucous congestion. A routine preweaning bronchoscopy would reduce the frequency of weaning failures in this particular setting, especially in those patients with successfully restored cardiac function.

Advanced Age as a Predictor of Survival and Weaning in Venoarterial Extracorporeal Oxygenation: A Retrospective Observational Study

Background. In most reports on ECMO treatment, advanced age is classified as a contraindication to VA ECMO. We attempted to investigate whether advanced age would be a main risk factor deciding VA ECMO application and performing VA ECMO support. We determined whether advanced age should be regarded as an absolute or relative contraindication to VA ECMO and could affect weaning and survival rates of VA ECMO patients. Methods. VA ECMO was performed on 135 adult patients with primary cardiogenic shock between January 2010 and December 2014. Successful weaning was defined as weaning from ECMO followed by survival for more than 48 hours. Results. Among the 135 patients, 35 survived and were discharged uneventfully, and the remaining 100 did not survive. There were significant differences in survival between age groups, and older age showed a lower survival rate with statistical significance (P = .01). By multivariate logistic regression analysis, age was not significantly associated with in-hospital mortality (P = .83) and was not significantly associated with VA ECMO weaning (P = .11). Conclusions. Advanced age is an undeniable risk factor for VA ECMO; however, patients of advanced age should not be excluded from the chance of recovery after VA ECMO treatment.

TCT-114 Comparing Hemodynamic Profiles and Outcomes in Cardiogenic Shock Requiring VA-ECMO or Impella for Circulatory Support

Use of acute mechanical circulatory support (AMCS) devices for cardiogenic shock (CS) is growing and includes veno-arterial extracorporeal oxygenation (VA-ECMO) or Impella. Few studies have defined hemodynamic profiles nor explored the utility of AMCS in CS. We retrospectively analyzed all patients

Transition to routine use of venoarterial extracorporeal oxygenation during lung transplantation could improve early outcomes.

The study objective was to compare the outcomes of intraoperative routine use of venoarterial (VA) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) versus selective use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Between January 2010 and February 2013, 41 lung transplantations (LTx) were performed, and CPB was used as a primary cardiopulmonary support modality by selective basis (group A). Between March 2013 and December 2014, 41 LTx were performed, and ECMO was used routinely (group B). The two groups were compared retrospectively. The operative time was significantly longer in group A (group A, 458 min; group B, 420 min; P=0.041). Postoperatively, patients in group B had less fresh frozen plasma (FFP) transfusion (P=0.030). Complications were not different between the two groups. The 30- and 90-day survival rates were better in group B (30-day survival: group A, 75.6%; group B, 95.1%, P=0.012; 90-day survival: group A, 68.3%; group B, 87.8%, P=0.033). The 1-year survival showed better trends in group B, but it was not significant. Forced vital capacity (FVC) at 1, 3, and 6 months after LTx was better in group B than in group A (1 month: group A, 43.8%; group B, 52.9%, P=0.043; 3 months: group A, 45.5%; group B, 59.0%, P=0.005; 6 months: group A, 51.5%; group B, 65.2%, P=0.020). Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) at 3 months after LTx was better in patients in group B than that in patient in group A (group A, 53.3%; group B, 67.5%, P=0.017). Routine use of ECMO during LTx could improve early outcome and postoperative lung function without increased extracorporeal-related complication such as vascular and neurologic complications.