AIM: As a result of healthcare changes, interhospital transfer has become common in the care even of patients with severely deteriorated cardiopulmonary function. This study describes experience with the use of a specially downsized, lightweight extracorporeal circulation system (Emergency-MECC) which enables percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass support in resistant cases of severe cardiac and cardiopulmonary failure. METHODS: Between March 2006 and June 2007, the Emergency-MECC system, consisting of a centrifugal pump and a membrane oxygenator, was used to facilitate interhospital transfer of five adults. The technique included percutaneous cannulation, femoro-femoral venoarterial (n=4) and femoro-jugular venovenous (n=1) life support by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. RESULTS: Bedside cannulation was uneventful and the extracorporeal circulation support achieved adequate systemic blood flow and oxygen delivery in all cases. Vasopressor support could be immediately reduced and hypoxaemia was treated effectively. During interhospital transfer (air ambulance in three and ground ambulance in two cases), no technical complication occurred. Hospital survival rate was 80%. CONCLUSIONS: The Emergency-MECC system is safe, rapid and highly effective in restoring blood flow and oxygen delivery. Interhospital transfer on cardiopulmonary bypass was made possible without extended technical or personnel support.
AIM: As a result of healthcare changes, interhospital transfer has become common in the care even of patients with severely deteriorated cardiopulmonary function. This study describes experience with the use of a specially downsized, lightweight extracorporeal circulation system (Emergency-MECC) which enables percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass support in resistant cases of severe cardiac and cardiopulmonary failure. METHODS: Between March 2006 and June 2007, the Emergency-MECC system, consisting of a centrifugal pump and a membrane oxygenator, was used to facilitate interhospital transfer of five adults. The technique included percutaneous cannulation, femoro-femoral venoarterial (n=4) and femoro-jugular venovenous (n=1) life support by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. RESULTS: Bedside cannulation was uneventful and the extracorporeal circulation support achieved adequate systemic blood flow and oxygen delivery in all cases. Vasopressor support could be immediately reduced and hypoxaemia was treated effectively. During interhospital transfer (air ambulance in three and ground ambulance in two cases), no technical complication occurred. Hospital survival rate was 80%. CONCLUSIONS: The Emergency-MECC system is safe, rapid and highly effective in restoring blood flow and oxygen delivery. Interhospital transfer on cardiopulmonary bypass was made possible without extended technical or personnel support.
Authors: Thomas Müller; Alois Philipp; Andreas Luchner; Christian Karagiannidis; Thomas Bein; Michael Hilker; Leopold Rupprecht; Julia Langgartner; Markus Zimmermann; Matthias Arlt; Jan Wenger; Christof Schmid; Günter Aj Riegger; Michael Pfeifer; Matthias Lubnow Journal: Crit Care Date: 2009-12-17 Impact factor: 9.097
Authors: Assad Haneya; Alois Philipp; Maik Foltan; Thomas Mueller; Daniele Camboni; Leopold Rupprecht; Thomas Puehler; Stephan Hirt; Michael Hilker; Reinhard Kobuch; Christof Schmid; Matthias Arlt Journal: Ann Saudi Med Date: 2009 Mar-Apr Impact factor: 1.526
Authors: Markus Zimmermann; Thomas Bein; Matthias Arlt; Alois Philipp; Leopold Rupprecht; Thomas Mueller; Matthias Lubnow; Bernhard M Graf; Hans J Schlitt Journal: Crit Care Date: 2009-01-30 Impact factor: 9.097