Successful Use of Surgically Placed Impella 5.0 and Central Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Circuit in a Patient with Postcardiotomy Shock

The Impella 5.0, a percutaneously inserted left ventricular assist device, has been used to support patients who have severe heart failure or who are undergoing high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention. We report our surgical placement of the Impella 5.0, through a graft sewn to the aorta, to unload the left ventricle of a 59-year-old man who was undergoing venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for postcardiotomy shock. The patient underwent successful placement of a long-term left ventricular assist device before his discharge from the hospital. The versatility of the Impella 5.0 is exemplified in this patient who was successfully bridged to long-term support.     

Tracheal intubation

Tracheal intubation is the act of placing a tube into the trachea. The tube enables oxygen delivery and removal of carbon dioxide, while also allowing for the administration of pharmacological agents. Intubation is the most reliable method of maintaining an airway under anaesthesia, and for protection against aspiration of stomach contents. Traditionally, intubation is achieved by direct visualization of the glottis, but now indirect laryngoscopy (via a videolaryngoscope) is a common alternative. Prior to embarking upon intubation, a thorough patient history and examination must be undertaken by the laryngoscopist; equipment must be prepared and checked; a trained assistant present; and an experienced anaesthetist available in case assistance is required. Once the endotracheal tube has been placed, correct positioning must be confirmed via both clinical examination and monitoring, including capnography. Tracheal intubation is a procedure that should only be undertaken by trained operators and is not without risk. It is important to note that it is failure to oxygenate patients rather than failure to intubate that ultimately leads to serious morbidity and mortality. The Difficult Airway Society has produced guidelines on how to manage unanticipated difficulty in tracheal intubation; it is essential that every practitioner trained to intubate patients is familiar with these algorithms and the key principles of safe airway management.     

Delivery during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support of pregnant woman with severe respiratory distress syndrome caused by influenza: a case report and review of the literature

Objective: To report a case of labour induction during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support in a patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by influenza and review of the literature.

Methods: Case report and the literature search of all English articles on delivery while on ECMO in patients with ARDS caused by influenza.

Results: A 25-year-old pregnant woman was initiated with ECMO due to severe ARDS caused by influenza A (H1N1) virus. When the patient had symptoms of colporrhagia and uterine contractions, the medical team decided to start labour induction while on ECMO. There were in total five case reports identified. Maternal oxygenation was improved after delivery and ECMO was successfully discontinued.

Conclusions: Maternal oxygenation was improved after delivery, which may be beneficial to reduce the duration of ECMO. Caesarean section (CS) may be the most used mode and labour induction could be another option. The procedure should be performed by an experienced ECMO team, cooperating with the obstetrician, anaesthesiologist, and ICU doctors.     

高压氧综合治疗糖尿病性胃轻瘫患者的疗效观察

目的观察高压氧（HBO）联合吗丁啉综合治疗对糖尿病性胃轻瘫患者胃动素及胃排空时间的影响。方法采用随机数字表法将2000年10月至2004年10月间连续人院的糖尿病性胃轻瘫患者112例随机分为高压氧组和对照组各46例，HBO组在给予吗丁啉（每次10mg，每天3次，连用4周）的基础上加用HBO治疗，HBO采用多人氧舱，在舱内停留120min，压力为0．25MPa（2．5ATA），戴面罩吸人纯氧60min（30min各2次，中间休息10min吸人舱内空气），10次为1个疗程，共3个疗程，每疗程间隔3～5d（排除HBO治疗禁忌证）。对照组为单纯吗丁啉，每次10mg，每天3次，连用4周。45d分别对两组患者治疗前后胃动素、空腹血糖、胃排空时间及症状的改善各项指标进行研究对比。结果HBO组和对照组总有效率分别为92．9％和76．8％，症状的改善、胃动素及胃排空时间治疗组均优于对照组，差异有显著性（P〈0．05）。结论糖尿病性胃轻瘫患者在服用吗丁啉的基础上应用HBO可降低胃动素、加速胃排空时间，对临床症状的改善具有积极作用。     

高压氧综合治疗持续植物状态30例疗效分析

目的评估高压氧综合治疗持续植物状态的疗效和探讨最佳治疗方案。方法回顾性分析了1999年—2005年应用高压氧治疗的30例持续植物状态病例,主要分析了原发病因、高压氧治疗次数以及高压氧治疗时机与疗效的关系。结果脑外伤组显效率和好转率明显高于非脑外伤组(P<0.05),开始治疗时间≤30d组及31～60d组好转率明显高于≥61d组(P<0.05)。结论高压氧综合治疗对脑外伤所致持续植物状态患者60d以内开始行高压氧治疗的患者疗效较好。