Bilateral Cardiac Sympathetic Denervation on an ECMO patient for Refractory Ventricular arrhythmia: A Case Report.

Genetic syndromes such as Brugada syndrome can lead to lethal ventricular arrhythmias. Cardiac Sympathetic Denervation has been shown to be effective in ameliorating refractory ventricular arrhythmias. We present a 33-year-old black female with a past medical history of Brugada syndrome with an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD), who presented with refractory ventricular tachycardia/atrial fibrillation leading to cardiogenic shock, requiring Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The patient subsequently underwent bilateral stellate ganglion sympathetic denervation in the setting of refractory ventricular arrhythmias. We present this case report to showcase that thoracoscopic bilateral cardiac sympathetic denervation can be an effective definitive treatment option for ventricular arrhythmias refractory to medical management.

Clearance of severely elevated plasma free hemoglobin with total plasma exchange in a pediatric ECMO patient

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)-related hemolysis is common with reported incidence of 5%–18%. Plasma free hemoglobin (PFH) levels are used as a marker for hemolysis and elevated PFH is associated with acute kidney injury (AKI). Limited literature exists regarding treatment of severe hemolysis and clearance of PFH. We report 8-year-old male child on VA ECMO with severe hemolysis (PFH 895 mg/dL) and worsening AKI showing significant improvement in PFH after single volume exchange plasmapheresis with Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) performed in tandem via ECMO circuit.

Caveats to Acute Imaging for Acute Stroke in the Setting of Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is increasingly used for cardiorespiratory support in medically refractory cases. The high rate of neurologic complications, specifically cerebrovascular disorders such as acute ischemic stroke, in VA-ECMO patients frequently prompts the acquisition of neuroimaging studies such as computed tomography with angiography and perfusion imaging (CTA and CTP). Clinicians must be familiar with the ECMO-related artifacts when interpreting such studies. Here we describe a case of asymmetric contrast opacification in a VA-ECMO patient with axillary artery cannulation.

Acquired factor XIII deficiency in two patients with bleeding events during veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation treatment

We report two cases of acquired factor XIII deficiency with bleeding events during veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Case 1: A 76-year-old man diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia after near-drowning was started on ECMO. Later, the patient presented with hemoptysis and anemia. Blood tests showed a decreased factor XIII activity of 29%. Although the patient recovered after receiving 1200 International Units of factor XIII concentrate, the patient had another episode of decreased factor XIII activity and bloody stool and was treated again with factor XIII concentrate. Case 2: A 48-year-old female diagnosed with pneumonia was started on ECMO. Soon after, she presented with hemoptysis and anemia. Blood tests showed a decreased factor XIII activity of 39%. The patient was treated with 720 IU of factor XIII concentrate with good recovery. Acquired factor XIII deficiency cannot be detected by routine coagulation tests, therefore it may be under-diagnosed in the ICU. Detection of acquired factor XIII deficiency is essential when treating a bleeding ECMO patient.

Addressing the challenges of ECMO simulation

Introduction/Aim: The patient’s condition and high-risk nature of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy force clinical services to ensure clinicians are properly trained and always ready to deal effectively with critical situations. Simulation-based education (SBE), from the simplest approaches to the most immersive modalities, helps promote optimum individual and team performance. The risks of SBE are negative learning, inauthenticity in learning and over-reliance on the participants’ suspension of disbelief. This is especially relevant to ECMO SBE as circuit/patient interactions are difficult to fully simulate without confusing circuit alterations. Methods: Our efforts concentrate on making ECMO simulation easier and more realistic in order to reduce the current gap there is between SBE and real ECMO patient care. Issues to be overcome include controlling the circuit pressures, system failures, patient issues, blood colour and cost factors. Key to our developments are the hospital-university collaboration and research funding. Results: A prototype ECMO simulator has been developed that allows for realistic ECMO SBE. The system emulates the ECMO machine interface with remotely controllable pressure parameters, haemorrhaging, line chattering, air bubble noise and simulated blood colour change. Conclusion: The prototype simulator allows the simulation of common ECMO emergencies through innovative solutions that enhance the fidelity of ECMO SBE and reduce the requirement for suspension of disbelief from participants. Future developments will encompass the patient cannulation aspect.