Autologous platelet concentrate and vacuum-assisted closure device use in a nonhealing total knee replacement.

Following a total knee replacement surgery, a 51-year-old insulin-dependent patient presented with complications of impaired healing and postoperative trauma to the wound site. The inability of this leg wound to heal placed this patient at risk of amputation. Vacuum-assisted closure therapy was initiated at postoperative day 53; after 100 days of protracted wound history a series of treatments with topical platelet concentrates were added to the vacuum assisted closure therapy and conventional wound care therapy. The previous nonhealing wound presented with good granulation and margination that enabled a skin graft with good take on postoperative day 150.

Use of the Quest Myocardial Protection System (MPS) for modified ultrafiltration during pediatric cardiac surgery.

Modified ultrafiltration generally is considered a standard of care for treating children undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass for congenital heat surgery. Different methods, incorporating a variety of devices and technologies, have been described. The present report describes a technique of modified ultrafiltration using arterial-venous flow with the Quest Myocardial Protection System (MPS).

Utilization of rapid-infuser devices for massive blood loss.

Rapid volume replacement for severe hemorrhage continues to challenge the clinician involved in the care of the patient suffering hemorrhagic shock. We report on the development and utilization of two rapid-infuser systems for volume replacement in critically ill patients presenting in extremis. We have developed rapid-infusion circuits by using commercially available devices available at our institution. The primary pumping mechanism is either a centrifugal pump (Revolution--COBE Cardiovascular, Arvada, CO, USA), or the Myocardial Protection System (MPS Quest Medical, Allen, TX, USA), and offers advantages over commercially available devices. Both circuits consist of a cardiotomy reservoir, a cardioplegia delivery set, assorted tubing and connectors, and a heater-cooler system. Between January and October of 2003, 15 procedures were performed which utilized one of these two devices. There were nine ruptured aneurysms, five traumas and one radical nephrectomy. The rapid infusion time averaged 228.5 +/- 105.7 min where 10.4 +/- 9.4 L of autotransfusion volume was processed, with 3.9 +/- 4.2 L of red cell volume reinfused. The allogeneic blood products that were transfused included packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma, as well as 5% albumin. There were no intraoperative deaths and the rapid-infuser was considered lifesaving in all instances. Mechanical rapid infusion systems may be lifesaving when severe hypovolemia or hemorrhagic shock is encountered. While both devices are able to meet the requirements of rapid fluid replacement, the MPS offers the most safety features and has become the standard of care at our institution.