52 research outputs found
Heart Transplantation Under Mechanical Circulatory Support for Acute Fulminant Myocarditis With Cardiogenic Shock 10 Years' Experience of a Single Center
Background. Acute fulminant myocarditis with intractable cardiogenic shock is a fatal condition; its only therapeutic option is mechanical circulatory support. The use of mechanical circulatory support, either extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) or a ventricular assist device (VAD), serves as a bridge to recovery or as a bridge to transplantation. ;Objectives. The aim of this research was to advance our understanding of the outcome of heart transplantation under mechanical support for acute myocarditis. Two groups of patients were compared: those recovered without undergoing transplantation and those who underwent transplantation. ;Methods. We reviewed 134 patients experiencing acute myocarditis who required mechanical circulatory support (including ECMO and/or VAD) in our institute between 1994 and 2014. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, support duration, and outcome of individuals were retrospectively analyzed. ;Results. Patients taking part in this study were aged from 1 month to 70 years, with an average age of 28 years. The transplantation-free survival rate in adults was 54%. A total of 6 adult patients receive a heart transplant under ECMO/left VAD; 2 of these patients died of uncontrolled sepsis after the heart transplantation. The duration of mechanical support ranged from 10 to 130 days (average, 41 days). ;Conclusions. Mechanical circulatory support in patients with acute myocarditis proved to be effective. Approximately one half of all adult patients in this study experienced myocardium recovery under mechanical support, with only 5% undergoing a successful heart transplantation. In terms of patients who survived after heart transplantation, the mid-term and long-term outcomes are favorable
Clinical Applications of Extracorporeal Membranous Oxygenation: A Mini-Review
The clinical usage of extracorporeal membranous' oxygenation began more than 40 years ago. Although the indications for its use have expanded over the years, it has been challenging to conduct randomized controlled trials to prove that extracorporeal membranous oxygenation is more effective than traditional approaches. Through a review of retrospective reports and data from registries, we attempted to evaluate the appropriateness of its application for acute respiratory distress syndrome, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock, and sepsis. Our investigation revealed that using extracorporeal membranous oxygenation when readily available is appropriate for all patients with cardiopulmonary resuscitation or postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock, and for selected patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome or sepsis
Highlighting Indication of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in endocrine emergencies
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been repeatedly used to rescue patients with cardiopulmonary arrest. However, its clinical utility in endocrine emergencies remains unclear. Herein, we describe a case series of 12 patients presenting with refractory shock secondary to endocrine emergencies who were rescued by ECMO support. Patients were identified between 2005 and 2012 from our ECMO registry. The diagnostic distribution was as follows: pheochromocytoma crisis (n = 4), thyroid storm (n = 5), and diabetic ketoacidosis (n = 3). The initial presentation of pheochromocytoma crisis was indistinguishable from acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and frequently accompanied by paroxysmal hypertension and limb ischemia. Thyroid storm was characterized by hyperbilirubinemia and severe gastrointestinal bleeding, whereas neurological symptoms were common in diabetic ketoacidosis. The clinical outcomes of patients with endocrine emergencies were compared with those of 80 cases with AMI who received ECMO because of cardiogenic shock. The cardiac function and the general conditions showed a significantly faster recovery in patients with endocrine emergencies than in those with AMI. We conclude that ECMO support can be clinically useful in endocrine emergencies. The screening of endocrine diseases should be considered during the resuscitation of patients with refractory circulatory shock
Twenty-four Year Single-Center Experience of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Heart Transplantation
Objective. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is hyperendemic in Taiwan. We have reported the outcome of (1) recipients with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive; HBsAg-negative recipients who receive donor hearts from HBsAg-positive donors; and treatment with lamivudine of hepatitis B flare-ups after heart transplantation, using case numbers that range from 100 to 200.
Methods. From July 1987 to May 2011, all 412 orthotopic heart transplant recipients and donors underwent routine preoperative screening for hepatitis B virus markers and liver function parameters. Lamivudine was prescribed prophylactically for recipients with elevated serum enzyme levels or an HBV DNA virus load before transplantation, or when there was evidence of hepatitis B flare-up after transplantation. Postoperative HBV markers and liver function parameters were collected over a mean follow-up time of 7.8 years.
Results. Thirty-four recipients were HBsAg-positive before heart transplantation, and 23 experiencing REV reactivation upon follow-up requiring lamivudine treatment. Clinical responses were achieved in all of them: 15 were complete and two, slow partial responses. Twenty-six recipients with an HBV naive status at the time of heart transplantation, and three patients received donor hearts from an HBsAg-positive donor under perioperative hepatitis B immunoglobulin prophylaxis. HBV infection was successfully prevented in two patients, but the other one contracted HBV hepatitis, which was successfully treated with lamivudine.
Conclusions. HBV reactivation after the heart transplantation was common but usually well controlled with lamivudine treatment. Although posttransplantation liver function deteriorated for a period, there was no HBV infection-related morbidity or mortality. Perioperative hepatitis B immunoglobulin prophylaxis can successfully prevent HBV naive recipients from infection in some cases, but HBsAg-positive donors should only be considered in high risk situations
Clinical Surgical Experience of Congenital Submitral Left Ventricular Aneurysm
Submitral left ventricular aneurysm is a rare cardiac pathology, occurring almost exclusively in black African patients. Two cases treated in our institute are reported in the present report. One is a 10-year-old boy with submittal aneurysm and mitral regurgitation, who underwent mitral valve repair and exclusion of the aneurysm with a left atrial approach. He underwent a second operation due to mitral regurgitation caused by retraction of the mitral apparatus by the patch scarring. The other case is a 39-year -old male patient who presented with ventricular tachycardia . The aneurysm was excluded by a Dacron patch from outside the left ventricle in addition to cryoablation on the endocardium of the aneurysm. Both patients recovered well after the operation. The present report presents two cases of this rare disease with different surgical approaches
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