Extended pulmonary resections of advanced thoracic malignancies with support of cardiopulmonary bypass.

OBJECTIVE: Complete resection of advanced pulmonary malignancies infiltrating the heart or the great vessels may require the application of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Extracorporal circulation, however, is known to cause lung injury and may be harmful especially in pneumonectomies. METHODS: Over a period of 10 years extended pulmonary resections requiring cardiopulmonary bypass were analyzed in a retrospective study. RESULTS: From August 1993 to August 2003, 13 patients underwent an extended pulmonary resection for curative indications, requiring support by CPB. Underlying diseases were sarcomas (n=8), non-small cell lung carcinomas (n=3), and others (n=2). Pneumonectomies were performed in nine and lobectomies in four cases. In the majority of cases, several cardiac structures, predominantly the left atrium (n=9), were affected. In four patients (31%), the indication for a CPB-supported procedure was not electively planned, but made intraoperatively. Complete en-bloc resection (R0) was achieved in 12 of 13 cases (92%). The 30-day mortality rate was 15% (n=2). Major complications observed were acute lung injury (n=4), right heart failure (n=1), and multi-organ failure (n=1). The cumulative survival at 1, 3, and 5 years in patients presenting with sarcomas was 62.5% compared to 33%, 0%, and 0%, respectively, in patients with non-small cell carcinoma (n=3). CONCLUSIONS: Our results encourage the application of CPB in extended pulmonary resections to achieve complete resections. In carefully selected patients, especially those with sarcomas, the radical surgical procedure associated with increased pulmonary complications allows for significantly prolonged survival and quality of life.     

Heparin sensitivity test for patients requiring cardiopulmonary bypass

Anticoagulation for the open heart surgery patient undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is achieved with the use of heparin. The industry standard of activated clotting time (ACT) was used to measure the effect of heparin. The commonly acceptable target time of anticoagulation adequacy is 480 seconds or greater. Some patients, however, exhibit resistance to standard dosing of heparin and do not reach target anticoagulation time (480 seconds). Antithrombin III deficiency has been previously cited as the cause of heparin resistance. Early detection of heparin resistance (HR) may avoid both the delayed start of CPB and inadequate anticoagulation, if emergency bypass is required. An anticoagulation sensitivity test (AST) was developed by adding 12 units of porcine mucosa heparin to the ACT tube (International Technidyne, celite type). Before anticoagulation, 4 mL of blood was drawn from the patient arterial line. Following the manufacturer's instructions, 2 mL of blood was added to each tube (ACT-baseline and ACT-AST). Three minutes after anticoagulation with 4 mg heparin/kg body weight, a second sample (ACT-CPB) was taken to determine anticoagulation adequacy. The ACT times of each sample were recorded for 300 procedures occurring during 2004 and were retrospectively reviewed. Heparin resistance occurred in approximately 20% of the patients (n = 61). In 54 patients, heparin resistance was predicted by the ACT-AST. This was determined by the presence of an ACT-AST time and an ACT-CPB that were both < 480 seconds. The positive predictive value was 90%, with a false positive rate of 3%. Heparin resistance occurs in patients undergoing CPB. We describe a simple and reliable test to avoid the delays of assessing anticoagulation for CPB (90% positive predictive value). Depending on program guidelines, patients can be given additional heparin or antithrombin III derivatives to aid in anticoagulation. An additional ACT must be performed and reach target times before CPB initiation. Testing of patient blood before the time of incision for sensitivity to heparin is a way to avoid a delay that can be critical in the care of the patient. Commercial tests are available, but efficacy data are limited, and they lead to added inventory expense. This method of titrating a diluted heparin additive, mixed with patient blood in a familiar ACT test, has proven to be an inexpensive and reliable test to predict patient's sensitivity to heparin.     

Erythrocyte filterability and lysosomal enzymes in patients requiring cardiopulmonary bypass.

Erythrocyte filterability, an index of deformability, and lysosomal enzyme activity were studied in 34 patients requiring cardiopulmonary bypass. In addition fresh human erythrocytes were analyzed after incubation for filterability changes after exogenous lysosomal enzymes were added to the suspension medium. The results showed statistically significant elevations of the filterability index (decrease in filterability of the red cells) after 10 minutes on cardiopulmonary bypass as well as postoperatively. Likewise cathepsin D concentration after 10 minutes of cardiopulmonary bypass of 8.4 plus or minus 0.8 U. was significantly elevated over the preoperative level of 5.3 plus or minus 0.7 U. Furthermore, the pump prime was found to have the highest filterability index as well as concentration of cathepsin D. Supporting our hypothesis that lysosomal enzymes may be a factor affecting erythrocyte integrity was the elevation of the filtration index to 10.5 plus or minus 0.3 U. during incubation with exogenous lysosomal enzymes compared with the control index of 9.0 plus or minus 0.2 U. This stduy implies that the pump prime should be an area of further investigation if alterations of erythrocyte filterability (deformability) and lysosomal enzymes during extracorporeal circulation are shown to have clinical importance.     

Removal of infected transvenous leads requiring cardiopulmonary bypass or inflow occlusion.

Infection, although uncommon, can be the most lethal of all potential complications after transvenous pacemaker implantation. The infection rate at our institution has been 0.56% (42 implants) during the preceding 17 years for 7435 transvenous pacemakers implanted in 4333 patients. Four of the 42 patients required use of cardiopulmonary bypass or inflow occlusion to remove the infected transvenous leads. Seven patients had their pacemakers implanted elsewhere and were transferred to our medical center for treatment. One patient died postoperatively because of persistent sepsis from a retained lead segment. All other patients survived, and none had recurrent infection. We recommend removal of all hardware if there is infection of the pacemaker system. If traction or other methods fail to remove the transvenous portion of the pacemaker system, open methods of removal, although rarely required, are safe and effective and should be used without delay.     

Penetrating injury to the heart requiring cardiopulmonary bypass: a case study.

Penetrating wounds to the heart represent a significant surgical challenge because of their unique clinical course and the need for emergent operative care. This operative care, which may include cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), must be initiated in a prompt yet careful fashion to optimize outcome, while minimizing morbidity. Trauma, because of its unpredictable and non-routine nature, may present many challenges to the perfusionist in an attempt to anticipate surgical needs and requirements. In this case report, we describe the successful surgical repair of a cardiac nail gun injury, as well as strategies we feel are essential for the safe, successful, and timely application of emergent CPB.     

股静脉-股动脉转流在降主动脉重建术中的作用

目的：评价股静脉－股动脉转流在降主动脉人工血管重建术中的作用。方法：1999年12月至2001年6月间，在股静脉－股动脉转流下行降主动脉人工血管重建术12例为转流组；1994年6月至1999年8月15例降主动脉人工血管重建术为非转流组，比较两组在术后发生截瘫、内脏缺血、输血量和凝血功能异常等方面的差别。资料统计采用t检验或χ^2检验。结果：阻断时间超过60min者中，转流组的截瘫发生低于非转流组（P＜0．05）。转流组术后发生黄疸低于非转流组（P＜0．05），两组在术后肾功能异常上无明显差异（P＞0．05）。转流组输血量较非转流组明显减少（P＜0．01）。转流组术后凝血功能异常发生率低于非转流组（P＜0．05）。结论：股静脉－股动脉转流在预防降主动脉人工血管重建术后的截瘫发生、保护内脏功能、减少输血量和避免凝血功能异常等方面优于单纯阻断降主动脉，是一简便、安全的转流方式。     

Long and short-term outcomes in patients requiring continuous renal replacement therapy post cardiopulmonary bypass.

OBJECTIVE: The development of acute renal failure following cardiac surgery is a rare but devastating complication with high morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess the incidence of acute renal failure necessitating continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in patients who required cardiopulmonary bypass, to determine the factors associated with mortality and to evaluate long-term outcome. METHODS: Patients who underwent cardiac surgery between October 1997 and 2003 and treated with CRRT were included (n=98). Six patients were then excluded (already in established renal failure pre-operatively) and one patient lost to follow-up. A retrospective analysis was carried out. RESULTS: Overall CRRT was used in 2.9% (92/3172). The mean (SD) age of patients was 68 (10) years. Their mean pre-operative creatinine level and duration of cardiopulmonary bypass were 154 (87)micromol/l and 160 (84)min, respectively. Mean duration from surgery to establishment of CRRT was 50 (42)h. Mean creatinine level prior to hospital discharge was 168 (93)micromol/l. Thirty-day mortality was 42%. Significant risk factors for death were complex procedures (odds ratio=9.9), gastro-intestinal complications (OR=7.2), cross-clamp time over 88min (OR=5.9), re-exploration (OR=4.0) and patients age over 75 years (OR=3.3). Actuarial 1 and 5-year survivals (95% CI) were 53 (43, 63) % and 52 (42, 62) %, respectively. Only 2 (2.2%) patients required long term renal support. CONCLUSIONS: Acute renal failure necessitating the use of CRRT is a rare but serious complication post cardiopulmonary bypass. In the long-term, surviving patients are not likely to require further renal support.     

Blood conservation in thoracic aortic surgery with total cardiopulmonary bypass

BACKGROUND: In thoracic aortic surgery, a large number of homologous transfusions sometimes cause systemic inflammatory response, which may lead to pulmonary dysfunction, renal dysfunction and brain edema. To predict the need for homologous blood transfusion in aortic surgery, we use blood transfusion index (preoperative Ht x body weight) to predict the magnitude of homologous transfusion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From Dec 1997 to May 2000, 59 consecutive patients were underwent thoracic aortic graft replacement with total cardiopulmonary bypass. These patients were divided in 2 groups, who were underwent graft replacement without blood transfusions, and who needed blood transfusions. Each group was compared in age, sex, emergency, Ht, CPB time, blood transfusion index and operative mortality. RESULTS: Forty patients (67.7%) did not required blood transfusion. In elective cases (32 cases), 84.3% were underwent operation without blood transfusion. There was no significant difference between 2 groups in terms of age and mean bypass duration. Blood transfusion index was significantly higher in transfusion group (2,320 +/- 784) compared with that in not transfusion group (1,445 +/- 706). CONCLUSION: Blood transfusion index was useful preoperative parameter to predict the need for homologous transfusion.     

Intentional asystole during endoluminal thoracic aortic surgery without cardiopulmonary bypass

We describe in three patients the use of adenosine to arrest the heart without cardiopulmonary bypass during endoluminal repair of thoracic aortic aneurysms. The pharmacology of adenosine, a purine nucleoside present in all cells, is reviewed briefly, with special reference to its use in causing transient asystole, which is required for successful surgical expansion of the graft stent in the thoracic aorta.      

Coronary artery bypass without cardiopulmonary bypass.

The purpose of this article is twofold: to describe our technique for performing coronary artery bypass grafting without cardiopulmonary bypass (off pump) and to demonstrate that this operation is safe, in terms of mortality and certain indices of morbidity. Very little has been published in regard to off-bypass operations. From 1985 through 1990, 220 patients underwent operation off bypass; 220 on-pump controls were retrospectively matched for number of grafts, left ventricular function, and date of operation. Groups were compared in terms of mortality and ten indicators of morbidity. The same analysis was performed for ten subgroups. We found no statistically significant difference between groups in mortality (off pump, 1.4% [3/220]; on pump, 2.4% [5/220]), which held across all subgroups. Patients undergoing operation off pump required blood far less often (not transfused: off pump, 72.7% [160/220]; on pump, 54.6% [116/220]; p = 0.005 by Fisher's exact test), and the low output state occurred statistically less frequently off pump (off pump, 5.5% [12/220]; on-pump, 12.7% [28/220]; p = 0.01 by Fisher's exact test). Further research should be directed to which subgroups can be operated on to advantage off pump and which, if any, groups of patients should be confined to on-bypass operations.     

Adrenal cortical carcinoma with vena cava tumor thrombus requiring cardiopulmonary bypass for resection

We believe this is the fifteenth case report of adrenal cortical carcinoma with tumor thrombus to the vena cava, and the fourth reported case of a left-side tumor propagating thrombus to the vena cava. The patient underwent successful resection which required cardiopulmonary bypass. The caval tumor thrombus was very friable and gelatinous, unlike many renal cell thrombi, and required special surgical considerations.     

Partial atrial resection in advanced lung carcinoma with and without cardiopulmonary bypass.

Combined pneumonectomy and partial resection of the left atrium was performed in 12 patients with advanced lung carcinoma (T3 and T4 in the new UICC classification). In the eight patients with a T3 lung carcinoma intrapericardial atrial resection with vascular clamping was carried out; four of the patients died within a year. The remaining four patients had a T4 tumour and underwent removal of the right lung and part of the left atrium under total cardiopulmonary bypass. One patient died shortly after the operation from cerebral and cerebellar infarction, and one died 11 months later from brain metastases. Two are alive and well. Complete resection appears to offer a chance for longer survival in patients with advanced lung carcinoma that extends directly into the intrapericardial pulmonary vessels or atrium.