Endoluminal laser application under percutaneous cardiopulmonary support in severe tracheal stenosis.

Laser ablation under bronchoscopic guidance was conducted on 2 patients with severe tracheal stenosis. Case 1 was a 57-year-old man admitted to our emergency unit because asphyxia. Bronchoscopy showed the lumen occluded at the bifurcation by tracheal cancer. Case 2 was a 62-year-old woman who underwent tracheostomy elsewhere for respiratory failure caused by a brain contusion and was treated for 3 months. After transfer to our emergency unit, bronchoscopy showed severe tracheal stenosis. Tracheoplasty conducted under bronchoscopy used a noncontact Nd:YAG laser at an output of 10-40 W and irradiation time of 1 second per shot. Total irradiation energy was 1700-1900 J. Percutaneous cardiopulmonary support was used during the laser procedure due to asphyxia. All procedures were completed satisfactorily and clinical symptoms improved dramatically in both cases. Laser tracheoplasty under bronchoscopic guidance treated severe stenosis safely and completely. Percutaneous cardiopulmonary support was very useful in preventing severe respiratory failure or asphyxia during this procedure.     

Successfully repaired traumatic tracheal disruption and cardiac rupture with cardiopulmonary support

A 19-year-old man suffering from dyspnea associated with tracheal and cardiac rupture from a traffic accident was found by bronchoscopy to have a 7.5 cm longitudinal tear in the membranous portion of the trachea. Right posterolateral thoracotomy was conducted and open ventilation through the left main bronchus initiated with standby cardiopulmonary bypass cannulation of the right femoral artery and vein. When oxygenation was poor, extracorporeal circulation was initiated through the cannulated artery and vein. Under the cardiopulmonary bypass, we safely repaired the tracheal laceration and cardiac rupture.     

Emergency department initiation of percutaneous cardiopulmonary support for traumatic cardiac tamponade with coagulated pericardial effusion

Cardiac rupture following blunt trauma is associated with a high mortality rate. We present a rescued case of blunt traumatic cardiac tamponade successfully initiated with percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) at the emergency department (ED) without pericardiocentesis.A 27-year-old woman was transferred to our hospital after a motor vehicle accident. She presented with profound shock, and the cardiac portion of the focussed assessment of sonography for trauma (FAST) showed almost coagulated pericardial effusion. We considered that the haemodynamic collapse was caused by cardiac tamponade, and we initiated PCPS in the ED. Subsequently, her systemic perfusion was preserved by PCPS, and she was transferred to the operating room safely. A laceration of the right atrium was successfully repaired. In cardiac tamponade, blood accumulation in the pericardium may be localised and the formation of blood clots may cause difficulty with aspiration. The initiation of PCPS afforded time to surgeons prior to definitive surgical repair and enabled the patient's transfer to the operating room securely.This report demonstrated the case of a rare, but successful outcome of resuscitation of a patient with blunt traumatic cardiac rupture with cardiac tamponade. PCPS is considered as an important treatment option in ED for traumatic cardiac tamponade, particularly if the effusion has clotted.     

Strategy of circulatory support with percutaneous cardiopulmonary support

We evaluated the efficacy and problems of circulatory support with percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) for severe cardiogenic shock and discussed our strategy of mechanical circulatory assist for severe cardiopulmonary failure. We also described the effects of an alternative way of PCPS as venoarterial (VA) bypass from the right atrium (RA) to the ascending aorta (Ao), which was used recently in 3 patients. Over the past 9 years, 30 patients (20 men and 10 women; mean age: 61 years) received perioperative PCPS at our institution. Indications of PCPS were cardiopulmonary bypass weaning in 13 patients, postoperative low output syndrome (LOS) in 14 patients, and preoperative cardiogenic shock in 3 patients. Approaches of the PCPS system were the femoral artery to the femoral vein (F-F) in 21 patients, the RA to the femoral artery (RA-FA) in 5 patients, the RA to the Ao (RA-Ao) in 3 patients, and the right and left atrium to the Ao in 1 patient. Seventeen (56.7%) patients were weaned from mechanical circulatory support (Group 1) and the remaining 13 patients were not (Group 2). In Group 1, PCPS running time was 33.1 +/- 13.6 h, which was significantly shorter than that of Group 2 (70.6 +/- 44.4 h). Left ventricular ejection fraction was improved from 34.8 +/- 12.0% at the pump to 42.5 +/- 4.6% after 24 h support in Group 1, which was significantly better than that of Group 2 (21.6 +/- 3.5%). In particular, it was 48.6 +/- 5.7% in the patients with RA-Ao, which was further improved. Two of 3 patients with RA-Ao were discharged. Thrombectomy was carried out for ischemic complication of the lower extremity in 5 patients with F-F and 1 patient with RA-FA. One patient with F-F needed amputation of the leg due to necrosis. Thirteen patients (43.3%) were discharged. Hospital mortality indicated 17 patients (56.7%). Fifteen patients died with multiple organ failure. In conclusion, our alternate strategy of assisted circulation for severe cardiac failure is as follows. In patients with postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock or LOS, PCPS should be applied first under intraaortic balloon pumping (IABP) assist for a maximum of 2 or 3 days. In older aged patients particularly, the RA-Ao approach of PCPS is superior to control flow rate easily, with less of the left ventricular afterload and ischemic complications of the lower extremity. If native cardiac function does not recover and longer support is necessary, several types of ventricular assist devices should be introduced, according to end-organ function and the expected support period.     

Right axillary vein cannulation for percutaneous cardiopulmonary support

A 34-year-old male with a past history of permanent inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement was referred to us for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) was required for the lung hemorrhage and reperfusion injury, although the thromboendarterectomy was successfully completed. The arterial cannula was inserted into the femoral artery, and the venous cannula was inserted into the right axillary vein. The patient was weaned from PCPS 1 day after the operation and was discharged 35 days after the operation. Axillary vein cannulation is thought to be a feasible method when PCPS is required for a patient with previous IVC filter placement.     

Tamponade after open-heart surgery with percutaneous cardiopulmonary support.

A 56-year-old man presented with late cardiac tamponade appearing on 9 postoperative day after weaning from percutaneous cardiopulmonary support. He had been referred to our hospital for congestive heart failure. He underwent aortic valve replacement and fell into postcardiotomy low output syndrome. He could not be weaned from extracorporeal circulation, and we had to use an intraaortic balloon pump and percutaneous cardiopulmonary support. On postoperative day 9, percutaneous cardiopulmonary support was successfully withdrawn without problems, but he showed signs of superior vena cava syndrome after the cannulas were removed. An echocardiogram also showed cardiac tamponade. When the wound was reopened, a lot of old clots had compressed the right atrium and, after clot removal, the patient's hemodynamic state improved markedly. It is important to be aware that percutaneous cardiopulmonary support may conceal hemodynamic deterioration due to cardiac tamponade and to take care that a patient does not experience hemodynamic deterioration after percutaneous cardiopulmonary support withdrawal.     

Stenting for critical airway stenosis under percutaneous cardiopulmonary support

Airway stenting for severe central airway stenosis is inherently a dangerous procedure. There is the risk of critical airway obstruction due to bleeding, tumor debris, and airway perforation during the procedure. Once such situations occur, percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) can be one of the most valuable rescue options to prevent critical hypoxic complications. At our institute, four of 49 patients who received stenting or other airway intervention required PCPS support (8%). Two of these cases required PCPS to be performed in an emergency setting during the procedure while the procedure was elective in the other 2. All procedures were performed effectively and safely without any complications caused by PCPS, including massive airway bleeding due to anticoagulant treatment. Patients were able to be weaned off PCPS uneventfully. PCPS is considered to be a valuable procedure in remedying critical hypoxic situations during airway intervention. Read at the Fifty-sixth Annual Meeting of the Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery, Symposium, Tokyo, November 19–21,2003.     

A surgical intervention using percutaneous cardiopulmonary support for contralateral pneumothorax following pneumonectomy.

We here, describe a 63-year-old man presenting with a contralateral pneumothorax following pneumonectomy. After setting up a percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) system in advance in preparation for hypoxemia during the operation, resection of bullae was performed. His oxygen saturation and hemodynamic status were stable intraoperatively and we achieved a successful and safe operation swiftly. He had no complications and was discharged on the 10th postoperative day.     

The effects of cardiopulmonary bypass upon pulmonary gas exchange.

Cardiac output, venous admixture, physiological dead space, blood gas tensions, inspired gas distribution, and other respiratory variables were measured in 10 patients breathing both air and oxygen before and on five occasions up to 10 days after coronary artery vein-graft operations under cardiopulmonary bypass with moderate hypothermia. Cardiac output was unchanged at 8 hours but fell 8 percent by 22 hours. Thereafter it progressively increased and at 10 days was higher than before the operation. Venous admixture rose to a maximum at 28 to 48 hours, postoperatively, but the increase was inversely related to the magnitude of preoperative admixture. The part played by airway and alveolar closure in determining venous admixture is discussed. While admixture increased, the nitrogen-clearance curve improved, presumably due to progressive "dropout" of the worst-ventilated regions. Physiological dead space fell to a minimum at 28 hours after operation; this was attributed to a fall in the end-inspiratory position consequent upon a reduction in both functional residual capacity and tidal volume. There was an increase in ventilation after operation, and this persisted at 10 days; it appeared to be due to reflex stimulation from the lungs and chest wall.     

Clinical experience using percutaneous cardiopulmonary support system for stent replacement

Three cases of tracheal or mein bronchus stenoses were treated using percutaneous cardiopulmonary support system (PCPS). Case 1 was a 63-year-old male admitted for dyspnea due to stenotic trachea with primary lung cancer invasion. YAG-laser operation and Dynamic stent was inserted to the trachea using PCPS. Case 2 was a 74-year-old male admitted for dyspnea due to stenotic right mein bronchus with primary lung cancer invasion. Dumon Y stent was inserted to the right mein bronchus using PCPS. Case 3 was 57-year-old male admitted for dyspnea due to stenotic trachea and occluded left mein bronchus with ischemic change after primary esophageal cancer operation. Dynamic stent was inserted to the trachea and left mein bronchus using PCPS. Tracheal and mein bronchus stenoses the trachea of all was dilated after placement of stent. These three cases had no complications during or after these treatment. These results indicated that using PCPS was a very useful, powerful and satisfactory method in the treatment of tracheal or mein bronchus stenoses during the lack of lung ventilation.     

Reconstruction of complete tracheal transection with cardiopulmonary bypass support following bull horn injury in neck during coronavirus disease 19 pandemic lockdown

A 22-year-old male had complete tracheal transection 2.5 cm above the carina with distal end retracted into the mediastinum. This was accidental bullhorn injury to the trachea in the lower cervical region, which posed arduous challenge of “cannot intubate” situation, necessitating percutaneous femoro-femoral cardiopulmonary bypass for surgical reconstruction, during coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic lockdown.     

The effect of tracheal gas insufflation on gas exchange efficiency

Transtracheal gas insufflation (TGI) improves gas exchange efficiency, but is associated with hyperinflation, and usually requires ventilator adjustment to compensate for the increased gas flow. Although bidirectional TGI (Bi-TGI) minimizes hyperinflation, it does not preclude the need to reduce tidal volumes to prevent hyperinflation. A flow-compensation system was developed by Respironics (Murrysville, PA) to match TGI flows; however, neither that nor the efficacy of Bi-TGI have been tested in vivo. We tested the hypotheses that flow compensation allows for a constant minute ventilation; Bi-TGI produces less hyperinflation than does unidirectional TGI (Uni-TGI), and endotracheal tube size influences the degree of hyperinflation during TGI. Seven anesthetized intact dogs were studied during positive-pressure ventilation using the Respironics flow compensation system. Measurements were made during steady-state conditions at constant and measured levels of CO(2) production. Gas exchange efficiency (assessed by expired gas analysis for dead space) and hyperinflation (measured as an increase in pleural pressure) were compared during Bi- and Uni-TGI and for endotracheal tube sizes varying from 7 to 10F. Bi- and Uni-TGI could be delivered at constant minute ventilation without adjusting ventilatory setting when the flow compensation circuit was present. Uni-TGI produced more hyperinflation than did Bi-TGI with all sizes of endotracheal tube, and hyperinflation was universally present as tube size decreased to 7.5F. We conclude that this new flow compensation system allows for the delivery of TGI without the need for adjustments to the ventilator settings, and that Bi-TGI produces less hyperinflation than does Uni-TGI, even with small diameter endotracheal tubes.     

Preclinical assessment of a transaortic venting catheter for percutaneous cardiopulmonary support

Left ventricular unloading and energy charge as effects of transaortic catheter venting (TACV) during venoarterial bypass (VAB) in normal and failing hearts has been reported previously. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of a special multipurpose catheter for TACV during percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) in a preclinical setting. Six adult pigs underwent PCPS with or without the TACV. With standard hemodynamic monitoring, LV volume and function were assessed by direct ultrasonic cardiography (UCG) in each condition. PCPS was smoothly established and the TACV catheter was safely introduced in all cases. As compared with isolated PCPS, the TACV combined with PCPS maintained significant blood flow with LV venting and systemic perfusion: the heart rate of the native heart, systemic arterial pressure, and central venous pressure were stable. Also the additional TACV led to a significant reduction of LV preload during PCPS, and the reduction was 25-30% of LVDd and 20-35% of LVAd. The results of this investigation suggest that clinical application of the TACV technique with a clinical PCPS circuit would be feasible and additional TACV might be use-ful for LV recovery during PCPS in patients with severe heart failure.     

Emergent pulmonary thromboendarterectomy with percutaneous cardiopulmonary support system for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy offers a comparatively low surgical mortality rate with appropriate patient selection. However, the operative mortality in patients with high pulmonary vascular resistance or severe pulmonary hypertension and subsequent right ventricular failure is poor. We report an unusual case that survived an emergent pulmonary thromboendarterectomy for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension with right ventricular failure.     

Pulmonary embolectomy for acute massive pulmonary embolism under percutaneous cardiopulmonary support

Portable percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) with heparin-coated circuits and a biopump was employed in a patient who had a massive pulmonary embolism with circulatory collapse after stripping of varicosities of the leg. Emergency pulmonary embolectomy was successfully performed. The main pulmonary incision was facilitated by cross-clamping of the main pulmonary arterial root. The bypass circuit was kept closed, and used with the normothermic beating heart without converting to conventional total cardiopulmonary bypass. Blood flow from the lung was removed by pump suction, stored in the reservoir, and intermittently returned to the venous circulation. Heparin was added to the circuits to keep the activated clotting time greater than 300 sec. In massive pulmonary embolism, PCPS is useful for preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative support.     

Long-term application of percutaneous cardiopulmonary support system without systemic heparinization

Though the amount of systemic heparin sodium administration was reduced after the introduction of heparin sodium-coating material to percutaneous cardiopulmonary support system (PCPS), bleeding due to heparin sodium is still the one of the major complications. In 2 patients of postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock, we neutralized heparin sodium by protamine sulfate administration immediately after the institution of PCPS and did not perform systemic heparinization until hemostasis was secured. The time on PCPS without heparin sodium was 37 hours in 1 patient and 91 hours in another patient. While systemic heparin sodium was not administered, activated clotting time (ACT) ranged from 109 to 148 sec and the bypass flow rate was maintained in more than 2.5 l/min. The exchange of the devices was unnecessary during the assistance and the patients were successfully weaned from PCPS without major complications. We conclude that systemic anticoagulation can be avoided in the case of life-threatening hemorrhage.     

Significance of percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass support for volume reduction surgery with severe hypercapnia

In patients with reduced respiratory function, lung resection is associated with high risk because separate ventilation is generally needed for safe management. For patients with end-stage emphysema, intraoperative respiratory management is important and particularly difficult because neither incomplete oxygenation nor selective ventilation can be performed, so the operation may be interrupted. In this study, we assess the effectiveness of the percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) system for lung volume reduction surgery in patients with severe hypercapnia (arterial carbon dioxide tension >50 mm Hg) and discuss the significance of PCPS for patients who are beyond the standard criteria for lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS). We studied 3 patients with severe hypercapnia due to emphysema who underwent volume reduction surgery. One patient was previously treated surgically for contralateral pneumothorax. All patients had a severe smoking history and were suspected to have fragile lungs. During the operation. PCPS provided sufficient support flow. Intraoperative management using PCPS was easy, and no severe complications were observed. One patient exhibited severe hemodynamic deterioration on postoperative Day 15. Other patients' PaCO2 improved postoperatively. One had a calcification of a femoral artery, but there was no trouble inserting a cannula. Bilateral or unilateral volume reduction surgery was performed under PCPS in patients with end-stage emphysema. We conclude that PCPS is an adjunct to LVRS, useful for intraoperative management of some patients with severe hypercapnea, and the LVRS indications can be extended.     

Development and clinical application of minimally invasive cardiac surgery using percutaneous cardiopulmonary support.

OBJECTIVES: Optimal cardiopulmonary support during minimally invasive cardiac surgery remains controversial. We developed cardiopulmonary bypass for minimally invasive cardiac surgery using percutaneous peripheral cannulation. METHODS: Subjects were 34 patients (age: 58 +/- 13 years; range: 17-73) undergoing minimally invasive cardiac surgery using percutaneous cardiopulmonary support between June 1997 and March 1999. Procedures included atrial septal defect closure (n = 14), partial atrioventricular septal defect closure (n = 1), mitral valve replacement (n = 8), mitral valve repair (n = 3), aortic valve replacement (n = 6), coronary artery bypass grafting (n = 1), and right atrial myxoma extirpation (n = 1). Bicaval venous drainage from the right internal jugular vein and the femoral vein and arterial return to the femoral artery were instituted by percutaneous cannulation. Venous drainage was implemented by negative pressure (-20 to -40 mmHg) and arterial return was by conventional roller pump. All procedures were conducted through a skin incision 8 +/- 1 cm, from 6 to 10 cm and partial sternotomy. Aortic cross clamping and cardioplegic solution were administered in the surgical field. RESULTS: The operation lasted 224 +/- 45 min., cardiopulmonary bypass 104 +/- 32 min., and aortic clamping 77 +/- 23 min.. No deaths occurred. One patient with residual atrial septal defect required reoperation through the same skin incision. Only 1 patient required homologous blood transfusion. The average postoperative hospital stay was 15 +/- 5 days. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive cardiac surgery using percutaneous cardiopulmonary support is safe and an excellent option for selected patients affected by single valve lesion, simple cardiac anomalies, and coronary artery bypass grafting.     

Early detection of hypoxia with BIS monitoring during percutaneous cardiopulmonary support

We report a patient in whom hypoxia developed during percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass (PCPS) and was detected with the lowering of the bispectral index (BIS) values. A 7-yr-old boy was managed with PCPS for the treatment of cardiogenic shock after cardiac surgery. His circulation was dependent on PCPS and pulse pressure was nearly zero. Signals by pulse oxymetry were undetectable and periodical blood gas analysis was performed to confirm proper oxygenation. BIS was monitored, and a gradual decrease in the value was observed. Careful observation also revealed darkening of the blood in the PCPS circuit and blood gas analysis showed severe hypoxia. Oxygen concentration of the gas to a PCPS oxygenator was increased immediately and new PCPS circuit was prepared. It took almost two minutes to exchange the circuit. Near circulatory arrest might have occurred during the procedure and BIS and suppression ratio (SR) became below 10 and above 90, respectively. Both returned to the previous values 30 min after the replacement of the circuit. Severe hypoxia, otherwise overlooked, was detected with BIS monitoring and BIS reflected the circulatory status of the patient, especially of the brain. This monitoring is useful to confirm proper oxygenation during PCPS.