Sepsis in postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock patients supported with veno- arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis could affect the outcomes of patients with postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Our objectives were to characterize sepsis patients with ECMO support for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock and assess its predictors and effect on patients' outcomes. METHODS: This retrospective study included 103 patients with ECMO for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock from 2009 to 2020. Patients were divided according to the occurrence and timing of sepsis into three groups. Group 1 included patients with no sepsis (n = 67), Group 2 included patients with ECMO-related sepsis (n = 10), and Group 3 included patients with non-ECMO-related sepsis (n = 26). RESULTS: Lactate level before ECMO was highest in the ECMO-associated sepsis group (Group 1 and 2 p = 0.003 and Group 2 and 3 p = 0.003). Dialysis and gastrointestinal bleeding were highest in ECMO-associated sepsis (p = 0.03 and 0.04, respectively). Blood transfusion was higher in ECMO-associated sepsis than in patients with no sepsis (p = 0.01). Mortality was nonsignificantly higher in patients with ECMO-associated sepsis. High BMI (OR: 1.11; p = 0.004), preoperative dialysis (OR: 7.35; p = 0.02), preoperative IABP (OR: 9.9.61; p = 0.01) and CABG (OR: 6.29; p = 0.01) were significantly associated with sepsis. Older age (OR: 1.08; p = 0.004), lower BSA (OR: 0.004; p = 0.003), peripheral cannulation (OR: 29.82; p = 0.03), and high pre ECMO lactate level (OR: 1.24; p = 0.001) were associated with increased mortality. Sepsis did not predict mortality (OR: 1.83; p = 0.21). CONCLUSIONS: Sepsis is a dreaded complication in patients with postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock, especially ECMO-associated sepsis. Preoperative risk factors could predict postoperative sepsis in ECMO patients.

Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock: The impact of cannulation strategy on survival.

BACKGROUND: The optimal venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) cannulation strategy in patients with postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock is still debatable. Studies evaluating the effect of cannulation strategy on long-term survival are scarce. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the impact of central versus peripheral cannulation strategy for ECMO insertion on hospital outcomes and survival in postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock patients. METHODS: This retrospective study involved 101 patients who had either central or peripheral ECMO due to postcardiotomy shock between June 2009 and December 2020. Study endpoints were limb ischemia, bleeding, blood transfusion, wound infection, and overall survival. RESULTS: Eighty-four patients received central (c) ECMO, and 17 patients had peripheral (p) ECMO. In the group of pECMO, limb ischemia was significantly higher (5 [29.41%] vs 6 [7.14%]; p = .01). Other endpoints were similar in both groups. Thirty-day mortality was nonsignificantly different between both cohorts (cECMO 34 [41.67%] vs pECMO 10 [58.82%]; p = .29). However, overall survival was better with cECMO (Log-rank p = .02). Patients' age [HR: 1.04 (95% CI: 1.02-1.06); p = .001], pECMO [HR: 1.98 (95% CI: 1.11-3.55), p = .002] and presence of infective endocarditis [HR: 3.54 (95% CI: 1.52-8.24), p = .03] were significant predictors of overall mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Peripheral ECMO was associated with an increased risk of limb ischemia; however, bleeding, blood transfusion, infection, and 30-day mortality were comparable to central ECMO. Central cannulation was associated with a better 1-year survival rate. Therefore, central cannulation might be the preferred strategy for patients with postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock.

Conventional hemofiltration during cardiopulmonary bypass increases the serum lactate level in adult cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of hemofiltration during cardiopulmonary bypass on lactate level in adult patients who underwent cardiac surgery. DESIGN: An observational study. SETTING: Prince Sultan cardiac center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 283 patients classified into two groups: Hemofiltration group (n=138), hemofiltration was done during CPB. Control group (n = 145), patients without hemofiltration. INTERVENTIONS: Hemofiltration during cardiopulmonary bypass. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Monitors included hematocrit, lactate levels, mixed venous oxygen saturation, amount of fluid removal during hemofiltration and urine output. The lactate elevated in group H than group C (P < 0.05), and the PH showed metabolic acidosis in group H (P < 0.05). The mixed venous oxygen saturation decreased in group H than group C (P < 0.05). The number of transfused packed red blood cells was lower in group H than group C (P < 0.05). The hematocrit was higher in group H than group C (P < 0.05). The urine output was lower in group H than group C (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Hemofiltration during cardiopulmonary bypass leads to hemoconcentration, elevated lactate level and increased inotropic support. There are some recommendations for hemofiltration: First; Hemofiltration should be limited for patients with impaired renal function, positive fluid balance, reduced response to diuretics or prolonged bypass time more than 2 hours. Second; Minimal amount of fluids should be administered to maintain adequate cardiac output and reduction of priming volumes is preferable to maintain controlled hemodilution. Third; it should be done before weaning of or after cardiopulmonary bypass and not during the whole time of cardiopulmonary bypass.

Primitive cardiac sarcomas: about 2 cases.

BACKGROUND: the cardiac sarcomas, although very rare, represent the quasi-totality of the primitive sly tumors of the heart AIM: it is about a retrospective study of two cases of cardiac sarcomas operated in Sahloul university hospital of Sousse. CASES: it is about a woman and a man: The respective ages were 22 and 45 years. The clinical pattern of the patients was polymorphic and the diagnosis put by cardiac echography. Both patients had a surgical resection and a chemotherapy. Both patients died in 13 and 18 months after the diagnosis. CONCLUSION: because of the extreme rarity of the cardiac sarcomas, there is no precise therapeutic strategy. The only consensus concerns the surgery as soon as the diagnosis of cardiac tumor is put. The prognosis of these tumors is extremely redoubtable with a survival which does not exceed 2 years after the beginning of the symptomatology.

[Cor triatriatum: of six operated patients report]. / Coeur triatrial: a propos de 6 cas opérés.

Six cases of cortriatriatum operated between January 1990 and April 2004. Their ages ranged from 3 months to 22 years. Associated lesions are present in 4 patients. They consisted mostly of interatrial defects. The echocardiography has been considered the procedure of choice for the diagnosis. Results of surgery were excellent for all patients with a mean follow up of 5 years.