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Background: For support of pulmonary function during complex thoracic surgical procedures, especially in respiratory compromised patients, a pumpless interventional lung assist (iLA) was applied. Feasibility and effectiveness for this novel indication were evaluated. Methods: Ten patients underwent thoracic surgery with respiratory support by iLA. Indication for iLA application was the need for intraoperative prolonged discontinuation of ventilation (tracheal surgery and lung resections after pneumonectomy [n = 6], and emergency procedures in patients with acute respiratory failure [n = 4]. The pumpless extracorporeal system was inserted percutaneously into the femoral blood vessels before surgery. Blood flow through the iLA, cardiac output, and gas exchange were monitored. Results: In all patients, the surgical procedure was successfully performed because of the support by the pumpless iLA. Mean blood flow across the iLA was 1.58 ± 0.3 L/min (1.2 L/min to 2.2 L/min). Low-dose norepinephrine was required to maintain sufficient systemic blood pressure. There was a moderate improvement in oxygenation (49 mL/min transfer of O2) and a very efficient elimination of carbon dioxide (121 mL/min transfer of CO2). Thus, extended periods of apneic oxygenation were possible during surgery. The device was removed immediately after surgery in 6 patients. In 4 patients with severe respiratory insufficiency, the iLA was continued for a mean of 6.8 days to allow for protective postoperative ventilation. Conclusions: The application of pumpless iLA was hemodynamically well tolerated, and allowed for safe procedures in respiratory compromised patients, avoiding the application and consequences of cardiopulmonary bypass or pump-driven extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Coronary artery bypass surgery employing minimal extracorporeal circulation (MECC) was compared with standard extracorporeal circulation (ECC) and off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery (OPCABG) with regard to the perioperative course. Methods: From January 2004 to December 2007, 1,674 patients (n = 558 MECC, n = 558 ECC, n = 558 OPCABG) who underwent coronary bypass surgery were studied. The primary end point was in-hospital mortality; secondary end points were perioperative variables, intensive care, and in-hospital course. Results: Demographic data, comorbidity, and the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation score (MECC 3.0%, ECC 3.5%, OPCABG 3.2%) were similar among the groups, but in-hospital mortality for elective and urgent/emergent patients was lower in the MECC and OPCABG groups (MECC 3.2%, OPCABG 3.7%, ECC 6.9%; p < 0.05). The number of distal anastomoses was lowest in the OPCABG group, but comparable for MECC and ECC patients. Postoperative ventilation time, release of creatinine kinase, catecholamine therapy, drainage loss, and transfusion requirements were lower in the MECC and OPCABG groups, whereas stay in the intensive care unit was shorter only in the latter (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Minimal extracorporeal circulation is an easy and safe procedure for coronary artery bypass graft surgery. In selected patients, the advantages of MECC equal those of OPCABG. MECC should be considered as an alternative to OPCABG and standard ECC procedures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Pumpless extracorporeal lung assist (PECLA) was developed to support pulmonary function in patients with severe respiratory insufficiency. Methods: Since 1996, 159 patients with an age ranging from 7 to 78 years were provided with a PECLA system. Fifteen patients were referred to us by air or ground transport after insertion of the system in a peripheral hospital. Results: Main underlying lung diseases were acute respiratory distress syndrome (70.4%) and pneumonia (28.3%). Pumpless extracorporeal lung assist lasted for 0.1 to 33 days, mean 7.0 ± 6.2 days; cumulative experience was greater than 1,300 days. Successful weaning and survival to hospital discharge was achieved in 33.1% of patients after a mean PECLA support of 8.5 ± 6.3 days. During PECLA therapy, 48.7% of patients died, mainly as a result of multiorgan failure after a mean interval of 4.8 ± 5.1 days. Inability to stabilize pulmonary function was noted in 3% of patients only. After PECLA, 30-day mortality was 13.6%. In a subgroup analysis, best outcome was obtained in patients after trauma. Conclusions: Pumpless extracorporeal lung assist is a simple and efficient method to support patients with deteriorating gas exchange for prolonged periods to allow the lung protective ventilation and transportation. Best indication for use of PECLA is severe hypercapnia and moderate hypoxia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]