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Open in new tab Download slide Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES Although post-cardiotomy extracorporeal life support (PC-ECLS) is a potentially life-saving resource for patients with cardiopulmonary failure after cardiac surgery, adverse outcomes have been reported even in successfully weaned patients. The goal of this study was to assess outcome in patients weaned from PC-ECLS. METHODS Of 573 consecutive patients who received PC-ECLS at a single centre between 2000 and 2019, 478 patients were included in a retrospective analysis. Successful weaning was defined as survival >24 h after extracorporeal life support (ECLS) explantation. Mortality of patients on ECLS, as well as in-hospital mortality of weaned patients, was assessed. A binary logistic regression model with backward elimination was used to identify predictors for in-hospital mortality after successful ECLS explantation. RESULTS Of 478 included patients, 120 patients (25.1%) died on ECLS or within 24 h after ECLS explantation. A total of 358 patients were successfully separated from ECLS and survived for >24 h (n  = 352 weaned, n  = 3 transitioned to durable left ventricular assist device and n  = 3 transitioned to a heart transplant). A total of 35.5% of patients who were successfully weaned from ECLS did not survive until hospital discharge. In-hospital deaths of the whole cohort were 51.7% (247/478 patients). For patients who survived to discharge (231/478 patients, 48.3%), survival was 87% after 1 year and 68.9% after 5 years. CONCLUSIONS In-hospital mortality of patients requiring PC-ECLS is high even in case of successful weaning. Longer ECLS duration, older age, female gender and low preoperative glomerular filtration rate were risk factors for in-hospital mortality after ECLS weaning. Survival of patients discharged after PC-ECLS was encouraging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES Pulmonary retransplant (ReTx) is considered a controversial procedure. Despite literature reporting outcomes following ReTx, limited data exist in recipients bridged to their ReTx on extracorporeal life support (ECLS). The goal of this study was to investigate the outcomes of recipients bridged to a first-time ReTx by ECLS. METHODS We performed a retrospective multicentre cohort analysis from 10 centres in Europe, Asia and North America. The primary outcome was overall survival. Risk factors were analysed using Cox regression models. RESULTS ECLS as a bridge to a first-time ReTx was performed in 50 recipients (ECLS-ReTx). During the study period, 210 recipients underwent a first-time ReTx without bridging on ECLS (regular-ReTx) and 4959 recipients had a primary pulmonary transplant (index-Tx). The overall 1-year (55%) and 5-year (29%) survival was significantly worse for the ECLS-ReTx group. Compared to the index-Tx group, the mortality risk was significantly higher after ECLS-ReTx [hazard ratio 2.76 (95% confidence interval 1.94–3.91); P  < 0.001] and regular-ReTx [hazard ratio 1.65 (95% confidence interval 1.36–2); P  < 0.001]. In multivariable analysis, recipient age ≥35 years, time interval <1 year from index-Tx, primary graft dysfunction as transplant indication, venoarterial-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and Zurich donor score ≥4 points were significant risk factors for mortality in ECLS-ReTx recipients. CONCLUSIONS Recipients for ECLS-ReTx should be carefully selected. Risk factors, such as recipient age, intertransplant interval, primary graft dysfunction as transplant indication and type of ECLS should be kept in mind before bridging these patients on ECLS to ReTx. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the load and composition of cerebral microemboli in adult patients undergoing venoarterial extracorporeal life support (ECLS). METHODS Adult ECLS patients were investigated for the presence of cerebral microemboli and compared to critically ill, pressure-controlled ventilated controls and healthy volunteers. Cerebral microemboli were detected in both middle cerebral arteries for 30 min using transcranial Doppler ultrasound. Neurological outcome (ischaemic stroke, global brain ischaemia, intracerebral haemorrhage, seizure, metabolic encephalopathy, sensorimotor sequelae and neuropsychiatric disorders) was additionally evaluated. RESULTS Twenty ECLS patients (cannulations: 15 femoro-femoral, 4 femoro-subclavian, 1 femoro-aortic), 20 critically ill controls and 20 healthy volunteers were analysed. ECLS patients had statistically significantly more cerebral microemboli than critically ill controls {123 (43–547) [median (interquartile range)] vs 35 (16–74), difference: 88 [95% confidence interval (CI) 19–320], P  =   0.023} and healthy volunteers [11 (5–12), difference: 112 (95% CI 45–351), P  <   0.0001]. In ECLS patients, 96.5% (7346/7613) of cerebral microemboli were of gaseous composition, while solid cerebral microemboli [1 (0–5)] were detected in 12 out of 20 patients. ECLS patients had more neurological complications than critically ill controls (12/20 vs 3/20, P  =   0.003). In ECLS patients, a high microembolic rate (>100/30 min) tended to be associated with neurological complications including ischaemic stroke, neuropsychiatric disorders, sensorimotor sequelae and non-convulsive status epilepticus (odds ratio 4.5, 95% CI 0.46–66.62; P  =   0.559). CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that adult ECLS patients are continuously exposed to many gaseous and, frequently, to few solid cerebral microemboli. Prolonged cerebral microemboli formation may contribute to neurological morbidity related to ECLS treatment. Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02020759, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02020759?term=erdoes&rank=1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES Fulminant myocarditis with cardiogenic shock requires extracorporeal life support (ECLS) and has poor outcomes. To improve outcomes, we have converted patients with severely impaired cardiac and multiorgan function from peripheral to central ECLS. In this study, we reviewed these patients' clinical outcomes and investigated associated factors. METHODS We retrospectively studied 70 consecutive patients with fulminant myocarditis under peripheral support from 2006 to 2020. Forty-eight patients underwent surgical conversion to central support, and the remaining patients continued peripheral support. The end point was survival and ventricular assist device-free survival. RESULTS More severe pulmonary congestion and multiorgan failure were present in patients with central than peripheral support. Weaning from ECLS was achieved in 95% and 62% of patients with peripheral and central support, respectively. Five-year survival was not significantly different between patients with central and peripheral support (71.2% vs 87.5%, respectively; P  = 0.15). However, the ventricular assist device-free survival rate was significantly higher in patients with central than peripheral support (82.2% vs 52.0%, respectively; P  = 0.017). A peak creatine kinase-MB level of >180 IU/l, rhythm disturbance and aortic valve closure were detrimental to functional recovery in patients with central support. CONCLUSIONS Conversion to central ECLS is feasible and safe in patients with fulminant myocarditis. Patients with severe myocardial injury as shown by a high creatine kinase-MB level, rhythm disturbance and aortic valve closure should be converted to a durable left ventricular assist device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES Obesity may complicate the peripheral cannulation and delivery of veno-arterial extracorporeal life support (ECLS). With rising global body mass indices (BMI), obesity is becoming increasingly prevalent in severe cardiogenic shock yet its impact on outcomes is not well described. This study sought to examine the relationship between BMI and veno-arterial ECLS outcomes to better inform clinical decision-making. METHODS All cardiogenic shock patients undergoing peripheral veno-arterial ECLS at our institution from March 2008 to January 2019 were retrospectively analysed (n  = 431). Patients were divided into 4 groups, BMI 17.5–24.9, 25–29.9, 30–34.9 and ≥35 kg/m2, and compared on clinical outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify variables associated with survival to discharge, the primary outcome of interest. RESULTS The median BMI was 28.3 kg/m2 (interquartile range 24.8–32.6) with a range of 17.0–69.1 kg/m2. Obese patients achieved significantly lower percentages of predicted flow rates compared with BMI < 25 kg/m2 patients though did not differ in their lactate clearances. Patients with BMI ≥35 kg/m2 had similar complication rates to the other cohorts but were more likely to require continuous veno-venous haemodialysis (51% vs 25–40% in other cohorts, P  = 0.002). Overall survival to discharge was 48% (n  = 207/431) with no differences between the cohorts (P  = 0.92). Patients with BMI ≥35 kg/m2 had considerably lower survival (10%) in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cardiopulmonary resuscitation compared with the other groups (P  = 0.17). On multivariable logistic regression, BMI was not significantly associated with failure to survive to discharge. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, with the rising global prevalence of obesity, the results of our study suggest that clinicians need not treat obesity as a negative prognostic factor in cardiogenic shock requiring ECLS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-cardiotomy extracorporeal life support (PC-ECLS) in adult patients has been used only rarely but recent data have shown a remarkable increase in its use, almost certainly due to improved technology, ease of management, growing familiarity with its capability and decreased costs. Trends in worldwide in-hospital survival, however, rather than improving, have shown a decline in some experiences, likely due to increased use in more complex, critically ill patients rather than to suboptimal management. Nevertheless, PC-ECLS is proving to be a valuable resource for temporary cardiocirculatory and respiratory support in patients who would otherwise most likely die. Because a comprehensive review of PC-ECLS might be of use for the practitioner, and possibly improve patient management in this setting, the authors have attempted to create a concise, comprehensive and relevant analysis of all aspects related to PC-ECLS, with a particular emphasis on indications, technique, management and avoidance of complications, appraisal of new approaches and ethics, education and training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES Patients on extracorporeal life support (ECLS), like other critically ill patients, are transported to other institutions for various reasons. However, little has been reported concerning the characteristics and clinical outcomes of transported patients compared with those of in-house patients. METHODS A total of 281 adult patients received ECLS between January 2014 and August 2016. Patients who underwent cannulation at another institution by our team were excluded. Patients were divided into 2 groups: transported group (N =  46) and in-house group (N =  235). All 46 patients were safely transported without serious adverse events. The mean travel distance was 206±140 km, with a mean travel time of 78 ± 57 min. Following propensity score matching, 44 transported patients were matched to 148 in-house patients. RESULTS In the matched population, the mean age was 48 ± 13 years in the transported group and 49 ± 17 years in the in-house group (P  = 0.70). The ECLS type (venoarterial/venovenous) comprised 35/9 (79.5/20.5%) in the transported group and 119/29 (80.4/19.6%) in the in-house group (P =  0.93). Seventeen (38.6%) extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitations were performed in the transported group and 59 (39.9%) were performed in the in-house group (P =  0.91). The incidence of limb ischaemia and acute kidney injury was higher in the transported group (P =  0.007 and P =  0.001, respectively). However, the rate of survival to discharge did not differ between the groups (63.6% in the transported group vs 64.2% in the in-house group, P =  0.94) and there was no difference in overall mortality (P  =   0.99). CONCLUSIONS Although transported patients had more complications than in-house ECLS patients, clinical outcomes were comparable in the matched population. Transporting ECLS patients to an experienced centre may be justified based on our experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

View large Download slide View large Download slide OBJECTIVES Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) can be applied as a bridge to diagnosis and decision-making for further treatment with long-term left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). METHODS From January 2012 to January 2018, 714 adult patients were treated with ECLS in our institution. During the same period, 618 patients received an LVAD for long-term support. Of them, 100 patients were further supported with a long-term LVAD. We retrospectively analysed the datasets of these 100 consecutive patients with the goal of developing an algorithm to predict outcomes for a rational use of long-term ventricular assist device therapy in this setting. RESULTS The mean age of the 100 patients was 54.1 ± 11.6 years, and 72 were men. Twenty-nine patients had a BMI of >30 kg/m2. In 33 patients, a temporary right ventricular assist device was necessary postoperatively. The 30-day, 1-year and 2-year survival after ventricular assist device implantation was 62.0% [95% confidence interval (CI) 53.2–72.3], 43.0% (95% CI 34.3–53.9) and 37.1% (95% CI 28.2–48.7%), respectively. Penalized multivariable logistic regression analysis showed following predictors for 1-year mortality: bilirubin increase per mg/dl [odds ratio (OR) 1.41, 95% CI 1.12–1.77], C-reactive protein increase per mg/dl (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.05–1.19), ECLS duration >7 days (OR 4.90, 95% CI 1.66–14.41), BMI >30 kg/m2 (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.05–8.52) and female gender (OR 3.06, 95% CI 1.02–9.23). On the basis of these data, a nomogram to estimate 1-year mortality after LVAD implantation was created. CONCLUSIONS After stabilization of patients experiencing cardiogenic shock using ECLS, LVAD implantation can be performed with elevated mortality in an otherwise futile situation. Liver dysfunction, inflammatory status and obesity increase the risk for mid-term mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Ethical and health care economic concerns surround the use of venous-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) in elderly patients. Patients requiring VA-ECMO are often in critical condition and the decision to cannulate is time-sensitive. We investigated the relationship between age and VA-ECMO outcomes to better inform this decision. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 355 patients placed on VA-ECMO between March 2007 and August 2016 at our institution. Using piecewise modelling, age became associated with in-hospital mortality after 63 years. Based on further analysis with the v2 statistic maximization, patients were divided into 2 age groups: <72 years old [Group Y (Young), n = 310] and >72 years old [Group O (Old), n = 45]. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify preoperative predictors of in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Patients over the age of 72 had a significantly higher prevalence of comorbidities, including coronary disease, previous strokes and chronic kidney disease. Weaning from ECMO was achieved in 76% of Group Y and 47% of Group O (P < 0.001). In-hospital mortality was 52% among Group Y and 69% among Group O (P = 0.037). Multivariable logistic regression using preoperative risk factors identified coronary artery disease, acute decompensated heart failure and an age >72 years as independent predictors of mortality (age >72 years: odds ratio 2.71, 95% confidence interval 1.22-6.00; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: VA-ECMO in-hospital mortality is considerable across all age groups. However, age only becomes associated with mortality after 63 years and rises dramatically after 72 years. This study provides useful insight into these time-sensitive decisions for the development of possible practice guidelines [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An editorial on the usage of extracorporeal life support (ELS) methods following a thoracic surgery, lung transplantation, and cardiorespiratory failure is presented. The authors talks about how ELS can provide short to mid-term extracorporeal mechanical support by helping in carbon dioxide (CO2) clearance, aiding oxygen (O2) enrichment and providing cardiocirculatory support. The authors also discuss the usage of Novalung lung assist device and Pumpless interventional lung assist device.

Long-term survival and major outcomes in post-cardiotomy extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for adult patients in cardiogenic shock. Keywords: Extracorporeal life support; Post-cardiotomy; Cardiogenic shock; Mechanical circulatory assistance EN Extracorporeal life support Post-cardiotomy Cardiogenic shock Mechanical circulatory assistance 1186 1187 2 05/05/22 20220501 NES 220501 Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) represents one of the most frequent types of mechanical circulatory support used in case of post-cardiotomy acute cardiac failure [[1]]. [Extracted from the article]

OBJECTIVES: No guidelines for mechanical circulatory support in patients with therapy-refractory cardiogenic shock and multiorgan failure including ongoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) exist. To achieve immediate cardiopulmonary stabilization, we established an interdisciplinary concept with on-site percutaneous extracorporeal life support (ECLS) implantation. METHODS: From February 2012 to November 2014, 96 patients were deemed eligible for ECLS implantation. Establishing ECLS was successful in 87 patients (mean age 54 ± 13 years, 16% female, initial flow 4.4 ± 0.9 l/min). Aetiologies included acute coronary syndromes(n = 52, 60%), cardiomyopathies (n = 25, 29%) and other pathologies. Fifty-nine patients (68%) had been resuscitated, and in 27 (31%), implantation was performed during CPR; 11 patients (13%) were awake at implantation and 20 (23%) underwent implantation in the referring hospital. RESULTS: Metabolic parameters differed in non-survivors versus survivors before ECLS implantation (pH 7.15 ± 0.23 vs. 7.27 ± 0.18, P = 0.007; lactate levels 10.90 ± 6.00 mmol/l vs. 8.79 ± 5.78 mmol/l, P = 0.091) and 6 h postimplantation (pH 7.27 ± 0.11 vs. 7.37 ± 0.11, P < 0.001; lactate levels 10.19 ± 5.52 mmol/l vs. 5.52 ± 4.17 mmol/l, P < 0.001). Altogether 44 patients could be weaned, and 9 were bridged to assist device implantation and 1 to heart transplantation. The mean time of support was 6 days, and the 30-day survival rate was 47% (n = 41). CONCLUSIONS: ECLS serves as a bridge-to-decision and bridge-to-treatment device. Our interdisciplinary ECLS programme achieved acceptable survival of critically ill patients despite a substantial percentage of patients having been resuscitated and no absolute exclusion criteria. Further studies defining inclusion- and exclusion criteria might additionally improve outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is a rescue therapy for infants and children suffering from severe cardiorespiratory failure with specific system-related complications like bleeding, thromboembolism and device failure. Novel circuit components for temporary MCS with improved haemodynamic properties may improve patients' outcome and reduce system-related morbidities. The Deltastream® DP3 (Medos Medizintechnik AG, Stolberg, Germany) is a newly designed rotational pump with a diagonally streamed impeller that can be used in children of all ages (priming volume 16 ml, flow 0–8 l/min). The aim of this study was to analyse the feasibility and safety of the DP3 pump system in children. METHODS We retrospectively investigated a consecutive series of 16 children [median age 0.9 months (0.1–55 months), median weight 3.2 kg (2.5–14 kg)]. The DP3 circuit was used 22 times in these children for different indications: (I) extracorporeal life support (ECLS) in post-cardiotomy heart failure (n = 11), (II) ECLS in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) (n = 7) and (III) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (n = 4). RESULTS Median duration of MCS was 4 days (0–18 days), 12 patients (75%) were weaned successfully from MCS, 4 of these children (25%) died after weaning, with a median survival time of 15 days (6–28 days). Overall survival rate was 50% and all 8 survivors were discharged home without neurological injury. There was no case of severe bleeding, thromboembolic complications or device failure. Mean lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) before MCS was 700 (±384) U/l, and increased to a maximum of 2279 (±2635) U/l during MCS (P = 0.04). Baseline D-dimer values were 3.4 (±3.0) mg/l and rose significantly to 19.5 (±11.5) mg/l during MCS (P < 0.001). The mean of the highest plasma-free haemoglobin during MCS was 21.0 (±42.9) mg/dl. The increase in plasma-free haemoglobin correlated moderately with the duration of MCS (Pearson's r: 0.78). CONCLUSION The use of the Deltastream® DP3 seems to be safe and effective for MCS in children and may show a low degree of haemolysis. We observed no system-related complications and an overall good outcome in this demanding patient cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Should we be concerned about combining extracorporeal support and mechanical left ventricular unloading? Acute heart failure, Extracorporeal life support, Mechanical unloading, Fluid-mechanical interaction, Watershed phenomena. [Extracted from the article]

Should we be concerned about combining extracorporeal support and mechanical left ventricular unloading? Acute heart failure, Extracorporeal life support, Mechanical unloading, Fluid-mechanical interaction, Watershed phenomena. [Extracted from the article]

OBJECTIVES We observed early acute lung injury (ALI) after a switch from veno-arterial extracorporeal life support (VA-ECLS) to long-term mechanical circulatory support (MCS). The aim of our study was to analyse the frequency, impact on mortality and characteristics of patients presenting ALI after MCS implantation in the bridge-to-bridge (BTB) strategy. METHODS We retrospectively analysed data from 55 consecutive cardiogenic shock patients who underwent a BTB strategy between January 2004 and March 2012 in our centre. ALI was defined as severe acute respiratory failure (PaO2/FiO2 <200) with or without need for iterative VA-ECLS or veno-venous (VV)-exracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) occurring within 48 h of MCS implantation. RESULTS ALI was observed in 15 of 55 (27%) patients. Eleven patients required VV-ECMO or VA-ECLS and 4 were treated medically. The median (interquartile range) duration of support under a long-term device was 47.5 (168.8) days. Mortality while on long-term support was significantly higher in patients who developed ALI (13 of 15, 87%) than in those who did not (21 of 40, 53%; P = 0.03). Hazard ratio for death while on support in patients who developed ALI when compared with those who did not was 3.390 (95% confidence interval, 1.636–7.026, P = 0.001). Univariate risk factors for postimplant ALI included: signs of pulmonary oedema while under extracorporeal life support (ECLS) during the week preceding long-term device implantation; mechanical ventilation, the incomplete recovery of renal and hepatic functions and the number of red blood cell units transfused at the time of long-term device implantation, and use of pulsatile, biventricular support. CONCLUSIONS Implantation of a long-term MCS device in patients on ECLS can result in severe ALI, which is associated with ominous outcomes. Various preimplant risk factors for ALI have been identified and might allow devising strategies to prevent this complication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: Cardiogenic shock is associated with mortality rates up to 70%, even if patients are treated with intensive care support or thrombolytic therapy. Early coronary revascularisation can be life-saving but it is oftentimes not available at the hospital to which the patient was initially taken. Up to now, transferring patients in a state of severe cardiogenic shock and/or cardiopulmonary resuscitation is mostly decided to be impossible. We report on the use of two newly developed minimised systems for hand-held-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) (ELS-System™ and CARDIOHELP™, both from MAQUET Cardiopulmonary AG, Germany), which we have used for rapid extracorporeal life support and interhospital transfer on Mini-ECMO. We characterise the emergency use, safety instructions and bridging function of these novel Mini-ECMO devices. Methods: Between June 2007 and August 2010, we administered percutaneous Mini-ECMO support to 21 adult cardiogenic shock patients. The main components of each Mini-ECMO system are a centrifugal pump and a membrane oxygenator. The systems can act independently from wall connection points, and are they are small enough to be attached nearby a patient''s side during transport. Results: On ECMO, gas exchange improved significantly, vasopressor support could be significantly marked down and signs of shock disappeared in all patients. Emergency medical service was carried out in re-established blood-flow and oxygen delivery. The patients were bridged to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) (n =6), ventricular assist device (n =1) or pulmonary embolectomy (n =1) or specialised intensive care (n =13). Thirteen patients (62%) had completely recovered. Conclusions: The use of hand-held Mini-ECMO systems enables for the first time the rapid onset of extracorporeal life support independent from the patient''s current location. However, success is extremely time- and team dependent. Highly skilled interdisciplinary patient management is essential to let minimised-ECMO become a new and highly effective bridge to recovery in out-of-centre cardiogenic shock patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]