ECMO for COVID-19 patients in Europe and Israel

Since March 15th, 2020, 177 centres from Europe and Israel have joined the study, routinely reporting on the ECMO support they provide to COVID-19 patients. The mean annual number of cases treated with ECMO in the participating centres before the pandemic (2019) was 55. The number of COVID-19 patients has increased rapidly each week reaching 1531 treated patients as of September 14th. The greatest number of cases has been reported from France (n = 385), UK (n = 193), Germany (n = 176), Spain (n = 166), and Italy (n = 136) .The mean age of treated patients was 52.6 years (range 16–80), 79% were male. The ECMO configuration used was VV in 91% of cases, VA in 5% and other in 4%. The mean PaO2 before ECMO implantation was 65 mmHg. The mean duration of ECMO support thus far has been 18 days and the mean ICU length of stay of these patients was 33 days. As of the 14th September, overall 841 patients have been weaned from ECMO support, 601 died during ECMO support, 71 died after withdrawal of ECMO, 79 are still receiving ECMO support and for 10 patients status n.a. . Our preliminary data suggest that patients placed on ECMO with severe refractory respiratory or cardiac failure secondary to COVID-19 have a reasonable (55%) chance of survival. Further extensive data analysis is expected to provide invaluable information on the demographics, severity of illness, indications and different ECMO management strategies in these patients

Levels of troponin I and cardiac enzymes after reinfusion of shed blood in coronary operations

Background. Reinfusion of shed blood after coronary artery bypass grafting might increase the levels of cardiac enzymes with consequent difficulties in the diagnosis of perioperative myocardial infarction. Methods. Thirty consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting who bled at least 400 mL within the first 4 hours after operation underwent reinfusion of shed blood. Thirty consecutive patients who were not autotransfused served as control. All patients underwent enzyme determination (total creatine kinase, MB fraction, lactate dehydrogenase, and troponin I) in the shed blood and in circulating blood preoperatively, at arrival in the intensive care unit, and 6, 24, and 48 hours after operation. Results. The shed blood contained significantly higher concentration of cardiac enzymes than the circulating blood at all time intervals (p = 0.0001). The levels of creatine kinase, its MB fraction, and lactate dehydrogenase in circulating blood were significantly elevated in patients receiving autotransfusion up to 24 hours after autotransfusion. The blood levels of troponin I were not significantly different between the two group of patients at all time points. The percent fraction of MB did not increase after autotransfusion. Conclusions. The measurement of cardiac troponin I is a useful marker for the diagnosis of perioperative myocardial infarction in patients undergoing transfusion of shed blood after coronary operatio

Systemic inflammatory markers and volume of enhancing tissue on post-contrast T1w MRI images in differentiating true tumor progression from pseudoprogression in high-grade glioma

Background: High-grade glioma (HGG) patients post-radiotherapy often face challenges distinguishing true tumor progression (TTP) from pseudoprogression (PsP). This study evaluates the effectiveness of systemic inflammatory markers and volume of enhancing tissue on post-contrast T1 weighted (T1WCE) MRI images for this differentiation within the first six months after treatment. Material and Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis on a cohort of HGG patients from 2015 to 2021, categorized per WHO 2016 and 2021 criteria. We analyzed treatment responses using modified RANO criteria and conducted volumetry on T1WCE and T2W/FLAIR images. Blood parameters assessed included neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI). We employed Chi-square, Fisher's exact test, and Mann-Whitney U test for statistical analyses, using log-transformed predictors due to multicollinearity. A Cox regression analysis assessed the impact of PsP- and TTP-related factors on overall survival (OS). Results: The cohort consisted of 39 patients, where 16 exhibited PsP and 23 showed TTP. Univariate analysis revealed significantly higher NLR and SII in the TTP group [NLR: 4.1 vs 7.3, p = 0.002; SII 546.5 vs 890.5p = 0.009]. T1WCE volume distinctly differentiated PsP from TTP [2.2 vs 11.7, p < 0.001]. In multivariate regression, significant predictors included NLR and T1WCE volume in the “NLR Model,” and T1WCE volume and SII in the “SII Model.” The study also found a significantly lower OS rate in TTP patients compared to those with PsP [HR 3.97, CI 1.59 to 9.93, p = 0.003]. Conclusion: Elevated both, SII and NLR, and increased T1WCE volume were effective in differentiating TTP from PsP in HGG patients post-radiotherapy. These results suggest the potential utility of incorporating these markers into clinical practice, though further research is necessary to confirm these findings in larger patient cohorts

Surgery for Bentall endocarditis: short- and midterm outcomes from a multicentre registry

OBJECTIVES: Endocarditis after the Bentall procedure is a severe disease often complicated by a pseudoaneurysm or mediastinitis. Reoperation is challenging but conservative therapy is not effective. The aim of this study was to assess short- and midterm outcomes of patients reoperated on for Bentall-related endocarditis. METHODS: Seventy-three patients with Bentall procedure-related endocarditis were recorded in the Italian registry. The mean age was 57\u2009\ub1\u200914\u2009years and 92% were men; preoperative comorbidities included hypertension (45%), diabetes (12%) and renal failure (11%). The logistic EuroSCORE was 25%; the EuroSCORE II was 8%. RESULTS: Preoperatively, 12% of the patients were in septic shock; left ventricular-aortic discontinuity was present in 63% and mitral valve involvement occurred in 12%. The most common pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus (22%) and Streptococci (14%). Reoperations after a median interval of 30\u2009months (1-221\u2009months) included a repeat Bentall with a bioconduit (41%), a composite mechanical (33%) or biological valved conduit (19%) and a homograft (6%). In 1 patient, a heart transplant was required (1%); in 12%, a mitral valve procedure was needed. The hospital mortality rate was 15%. The postoperative course was complicated by renal failure (19%), major bleeding (14%), pulmonary failure (14%), sepsis (11%) and multiorgan failure (8%). At multivariate analysis, urgent surgery was a risk factor for early death [hazard ratio 20.5 (1.9-219)]. Survival at 5 and 8\u2009years was 75\u2009\ub1\u20096% and 71\u2009\ub1\u20097%, with 3 cases of endocarditis relapse. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery is effective in treating endocarditis following the Bentall procedure although it is associated with high perioperative mortality and morbidity rates. Endocarditis relapse seems to be uncommon