Left ventricle unloading by percutaneous pigtail during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

The objective of the study is to describe an emergency procedure for left ventricle venting during veno-arterial extracorporeal life support for refractory cardiac arrest. Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is widely used in refractory cardiac arrest but is characterized by an increase in left ventricle afterload, which may impair cardiac contractility improvement. Different left ventricle venting techniques are available. We report the use of a surgical approach with sternotomy for left ventricle venting in a 21-year-old patient who was placed under veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for refractory cardiac arrest with severe pulmonary edema, respiratory failure, and left ventricle stasis. A 21-year-old woman was admitted for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. In the recovery room, she developed a refractory circulatory shock. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a dilated cardiomyopathy with severe left ventricle systolic dysfunction (left ventricle ejection fraction at 20%). Coronary angiogram was normal. On day 2, she underwent laparotomy for sepsis and she presented cardiac arrest secondary to ventricular tachycardia. We proceeded to peripheral veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as the cardiac arrest was refractory. A miniaturized veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation system was implanted into the right femoral vessels onsite .The low flow duration was 40 minutes. Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation blood flow was set to 3 L min−1, resulting in a closed aortic valve and a massive pulmonary edema. Transesophageal echocardiography showed left ventricular ejection fraction at 5% without aortic valve opening. We first implanted an intra-aortic balloon pump without clinical improvement. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed massive thrombus formation into the aortic root. We decided to perform an open surgical approach for left ventricle unload using a transmitral cannula (22 Fr) via the right superior pulmonary vein connected to the inflow tube of the veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation with Y connection. Transesophageal echocardiography showed a full opening of aortic valve and elimination of valve aortic thrombus. Chest radiography showed a significant decrease of pulmonary congestion. We were able to withdraw extracorporeal life support organization on day 10 and discharged on day 54. Clinical explorations reveal a fulminant rocuronium-related hypersensitivity myocarditis. This salvage surgical technique using a modified central veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cannulation technique has efficiently decreased blood stasis and permitted rapid recovery.

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Cardiac dimensions during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Cardiology in the Young ◽

10.1017/s104795110500079x ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 15 (4) ◽

pp. 373-378 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Ronald B. Tanke ◽

Otto Daniëls ◽

Arno F. van Heijst ◽

Henk van Lier ◽

Cees Festen

Keyword(s):

Left Ventricle ◽

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Loading Conditions ◽

Volume Loading ◽

Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Arterial Duct ◽

Before And After ◽

Fractional Shortening

Our aim was to analyze left ventricular fractional shortening during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation under the influence of changing volume loading conditions induced by a ductal left-to-right shunt. In all patients, the fractional shortening was observed using echocardiography before, during, and after bypass, irrespective of the presence or absence of the ductal left-to-right shunt. During membrane oxygenation, there was a significant decrease in fractional shortening (p less than 0.001), with no difference before and after membrane oxygenation. A greater decrease in fractional shortening was observed in the group with a ductal left-to-right shunt when compared to patients lacking the ductal shunt (p less than 0.006). The diastolic diameter of the left ventricle also increased significantly during the membrane oxygenation in those patients with left-to-right ductal shunting. Moreover, the patients with left-to-right shunting showed a very severe decreased fractional shortening, lower than 10 per cent, with significantly greater frequency (p less than 0.05) during the course of membrane oxygenation. Conclusion: An important decrease in left ventricular fractional shortening is observed during veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Left-to-right shunting during bypass, as seen in the patients with patency of the arterial duct, increases the loading conditions on the left ventricle, and produces a significant increase in left ventricular diastolic dimensions. Despite the effects of volume loading produced by the ductal shunt during bypass, the decrease in fractional shortening is significantly more pronounced for these patients. Therefore, during membrane oxygenation the volume loading produced by the ductal shunt is unable to prevent a decrease in left ventricular fractional shortening.

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