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OBJECTIVES Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) has emerged as a rescue for refractory cardiac arrest, of which acute coronary syndrome is a common cause. Data on the coronary revascularization strategy in patients receiving ECPR remain limited. METHODS The ECPR databases from two referral hospitals were screened for patients who underwent emergent revascularization. The baseline characteristics were matched 1:1 using propensity score between patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and those who received percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Outcomes, including success rate of weaning from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), hospital survival, and midterm survival in hospital survivors, were compared between CABG and PCI. RESULTS After matching, most of the patients (95%) had triple vessel disease. Compared with PCI (n  = 40), emergent CABG (n  = 40) had better early outcomes, in terms of the rates of successful ECMO weaning (71.1% vs 48.7%, P  = 0.05) and hospital survival (56.4% versus 32.4%, P  = 0.04). After a mean follow-up of 2 years, both revascularization strategies were associated with favourable midterm survival among hospital survivors (75.3% after CABG vs 88.9% after PCI, P  = 0.49), with a trend towards fewer reinterventions in patients who underwent CABG (P  = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS In patients who received ECPR because of triple vessel disease, the hospital outcomes were better after emergent CABG than after PCI. More evidence is required to determine the optimal revascularization strategy for patients who receive ECPR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES Paediatric heart transplantation in children who fail multistage palliation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome is associated with challenges related to immune, clinical or anatomic risk factors. We review current outcomes and risk factors for survival following heart transplantation in this challenging patient population. METHODS The United Network for Organ Sharing transplantation database was merged with Paediatric Health Information System database to identify children who received heart transplantation following prior palliation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Multivariable Cox analysis of outcomes and factors affecting survival was performed. RESULTS Our cohort included 849 children between 2009 and 2021. The median age was 1044 days (interquartile range 108–3535), and the median weight was 13 kg (interquartile range 7–26). Overall survival at 10 years following heart transplantation was 71%, with most of the death being perioperative. On multivariable analysis, risk factors for survival included Black race (hazard ratio = 1.630, P  = 0.0253), blood type other than B (hazard ratio = 2.564, P  = 0.0052) and male donor gender (hazard ratio = 1.367, P  = 0.0483). Recipient age, the use of ventricular assist device or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation were not significantly associated with survival. Twenty-four patients underwent retransplantation, and 10-year freedom from retransplantation was 98%. Rejection before hospital discharge and within 1 year from transplantation was 20% and 24%, respectively, with infants having lower rejection rates. CONCLUSIONS Compared with existing literature, the number of children with prior hypoplastic left heart syndrome palliation who receive heart transplantation has increased in the current era. Survival following transplantation in this patient population is acceptable. Most of the death is perioperative. Efforts to properly support these patients before transplantation might decrease early mortality and improve overall survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES Patients after the Norwood procedure are prone to postoperative instability. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can help to overcome short-term organ failure. This retrospective single-centre study examines ECMO weaning, hospital discharge and long-term survival after ECMO therapy between Norwood and bidirectional Glenn palliation as well as risk factors for mortality. METHODS In our institution, over 450 Norwood procedures have been performed. Since the introduction of ECMO therapy, 306 Norwood operations took place between 2007 and 2022, involving ECMO in 59 cases before bidirectional Glenn. In 48.3% of cases, ECMO was initiated intraoperatively post-Norwood. Patient outcomes were tracked and mortality risk factors were analysed using uni- and multivariable testing. RESULTS ECMO therapy after Norwood (median duration: 5 days; range 0–17 days) saw 31.0% installed under CPR. Weaning was achieved in 46 children (78.0%), with 55.9% discharged home after a median of 45 (36–66) days. Late death occurred in 3 patients after 27, 234 and 1541 days. Currently, 30 children are in a median 4.8 year (3.4–7.7) follow-up. At the time of inquiry, 1 patient awaits bidirectional Glenn, 6 are at stage II palliation, Fontan was completed in 22 and 1 was lost to follow-up post-Norwood. Risk factor analysis revealed dialysis (P  < 0.001), cerebral lesions (P  = 0.026), longer ECMO duration (P  = 0.002), cardiac indication and lower body weight (P  = 0.038) as mortality-increasing factors. The 10-year mortality probability after ECMO therapy was 48.5% (95% CI 36.5–62.9%). CONCLUSIONS ECMO therapy in critically ill patients after the Norwood operation may significantly improve survival of a patient cohort otherwise forfeited and give the opportunity for successful future-stage operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to assess the early outcomes and risk factors of paediatric patients requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation after cardiac surgery (post-cardiotomy). METHODS Retrospective binational cohort study from the Australia and New Zealand Congenital Outcomes Registry for Surgery database. All patients younger than 18 years of age who underwent a paediatric cardiac surgical procedure from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2021 and required post-cardiotomy extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (PC-ECMO) in the same hospital admission were included in the study. RESULTS Of the 12 290 patients included in the study, 376 patients required post-cardiotomy ECMO (3%). Amongst these patients, hospital mortality was 35.6% and two-thirds of patients experienced a major complication. Hypoplastic left heart syndrome was the most common diagnosis (17%). The Norwood procedure and modified Blalock–Taussig shunts had the highest incidence of requiring PC-ECMO (odds ratio of 10 and 6.8 respectively). Predictors of hospital mortality after PC-ECMO included single-ventricle physiology, intracranial haemorrhage and chylothorax. CONCLUSIONS In the current era, one-third of patients who required PC-ECMO after paediatric cardiac surgery in Australia and New Zealand did not survive to hospital discharge. The Norwood procedure and isolated modified Blalock–Taussig shunt had the highest incidence of requiring PC-ECMO. Patients undergoing the Norwood procedure had the highest mortality (48%). Two-thirds of patients on PC-ECMO developed a major complication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study published in the European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery examined the use of extracorporeal life support (ECLS) in patients with infarct-related cardiogenic shock. The study found that ECLS did not reduce short-term mortality and was associated with more serious complications. However, the study had some potential weaknesses, including the involvement of multiple centers with varying levels of expertise and the inclusion of resuscitated patients who may have contributed to the negative outcomes. The study also raised questions about the diagnosis of cardiogenic shock and the management of ECLS therapy. The authors suggest that the results may be compromised due to these issues and emphasize the need for standardized protocols and guidelines in ECLS therapy. Additionally, they express concern that the use of ECLS may decline, similar to the decline in the use of the intra-aortic balloon pump, despite its potential benefits in certain patient populations. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in postoperative care for patients undergoing Norwood surgery for single-ventricle conditions. The study shows that the use of ECMO has significantly reduced hospital mortality rates for these patients. However, the article also highlights the challenges and limitations of ECMO, such as the increased risk of acute kidney injury and the lower long-term survival rates compared to patients who did not require ECMO. The author emphasizes the need for experienced Norwood centers to provide optimal care and monitoring for these patients, including addressing long-term psychomotor and mental development issues. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for patients with cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) caused by acute aortic dissection type A (AAD). The effectiveness of ECMO for these patients is controversial, and the mortality rates are high. The article suggests that ECMO may be used for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients with AAD due to shorter CPR times and unknown causes of OHCA. The article also mentions that age and differences in medical services and insurance may contribute to the overuse of ECMO in Japan. The authors agree that aortic repair is the best treatment for CPA patients caused by AAD. [Extracted from the article]