Racial disparities in outcomes for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the United States

BackgroundRacial disparities in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) outcomes in patients with a broad set of indications are not well documented.MethodsAdults requiring ECMO were identified in the 2016–2019 National Inpatient Sample. Patient and hospital characteristics, including mortality, clinical outcomes, and resource utilization were analyzed using multivariable regressions.ResultsOf 43,190 adult ECMO patients, 67.8% were classified as White, 18.1% Black, and 10.4% Hispanic. Although mortality for Whites declined from 47.5 to 41.0% (P = 0.002), it remained steady for others. Compared to White, Asian/Pacific Islander (PI) race was linked to increased odds of mortalty (AOR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.1–2.0). Black race was associated with increased odds of acute kidney injury (AOR = 1.4, 95%-CI: 1.2–1.7), while Hispanic race was linked to neurologic complications (AOR 21.6; 95% CI 1.2–2.3). Black and Hispanic race were also associated with increased incremental costs.ConclusionsRace-based disparities in ECMO outcomes persist in the United States. Further work should aim to understand and mitigate the underlying reasons for such findings.     

Comparison of Foaming Properties Between the Shirasu Porous Glass Membrane Device and Tessari’s Three-way Stopcock Technique for Polidocanol and Ethanolamine Oleate Foam Production: A Benchtop Study

PurposeTo compare the characteristics of polidocanol (POL) and ethanolamine oleate (EO) sclerosing foams produced by a Shirasu porous glass membrane (SPGM) device with those made using a 3-way stopcock (3WSC).Materials and MethodsFoam half-life times were measured in an ex-vivo benchtop study. Computed tomography (CT) images of each foam were obtained over the time course, and a CT texture analysis was conducted. The bubble size in each foam was measured by an optical microscope.ResultsMedian foam half-life times were longer in the SPGM group than in the 3WSC group (POL: 198 vs 166 s, P = .02; EO: 640 vs 391 s, P < .01). In the CT texture analysis, median standard deviation (SD) and entropy (randomness) were lower, and median energy (uniformity) and gray-level cooccurrence matrix (GLCM) homogeneity were higher in the SPGM group than in the 3WSC group (POL SD: at 30 s and 50–300 s; POL entropy: at 0–60 s; EO SD: at 0–600 s; EO entropy: at 0–460 s; POL energy: at 0–40 s; POL GLCM homogeneity: at 0–250 s; EO energy: at 0–360 s; EO GLCM homogeneity: at 0–480 s; all P < .05). Median bubble diameters in the SPGM group and in the 3WSC group were 69 and 83 μm (P < .01), respectively, in the POL foam; and 36 and 36 μm (P = .45), respectively, in the EO foam.ConclusionsPOL and EO foams had greater uniformity and longer foam half-life time when prepared with an SPGM device than with a 3WSC.     

An ethical rationale for perinatal palliative care

Perinatal palliative care has grown out of both an historical necessity in attending to babies in the NICU that face difficult odds of survival, the increasing technology that may avail life-extending, yet technology-dependent, care, and the growth of fetal diagnostic and treatment centers. This review looks ta the history and ethical rationale for making available services from Pediatric and Perinatal Palliative Care to families in the prenatal and postnatal periods caring for a loved one with life-limiting circumstances.     

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a bridge to transplant in neonates with fatal pulmonary conditions: A review

Neonates with progressive respiratory failure should be referred early for subspecialty evaluation and lung transplantation consideration. ECMO should be considered for patients with severe cardiopulmonary dysfunction and a high likelihood of death while on maximal medical therapy, either in the setting of reversible medical conditions or while awaiting lung transplantation. While ECMO offers hope to neonates that experience clinical deterioration while awaiting transplant, the risks and benefits of this intervention should be considered on an individual basis. Owing to the small number of infant lung transplants performed yearly, large studies examining the outcomes of various bridging techniques in this age group do not exist. Multiple single-centre experiences of transplanted neonates have been described and currently serve as guidance for transplant teams. Future investigation of outcomes specific to neonatal transplant recipients bridged with advanced devices is needed.     

耳内镜下夹层法鼓膜成形术治疗鼓膜大穿孔的临床研究

目的探讨耳内镜下夹层法鼓膜成形术治疗鼓膜大穿孔的临床疗效。方法回顾性分析该科在2017年1月-2017年10月对18例患者的21侧鼓膜大穿孔进行耳内镜下夹层法鼓膜成形术,统计分析手术时间、出血量,术后6个月随访观察鼓膜愈合情况,比较术前和术后的听力情况。结果21侧患耳平均手术时间(44.95±8.50)min,手术平均出血量(19.19±3.16)ml。19侧鼓膜完全愈合,鼓膜成形术成功率为90.48%;2侧鼓膜完全愈合后因真菌感染再次穿孔。术后6个月的平均气导听阈、平均气骨导差较术前下降,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论耳内镜下夹层法鼓膜成形术治疗鼓膜大穿孔具有创伤小、恢复快和疗效好的优点,是一种值得推广的手术方法。