Single arterial access ECMELLA: A new concept and step-by-step procedure

2021 ◽  

Therapy for cardiogenic shock using temporary mechanical circulatory support has improved significantly in the last decades, providing patients with new technologies for both acute phase stabilization and bridging to long-term therapies. A combination of a venoarterial extracorporeal life support system and the Impella left ventricular assist device (known as the ECMELLA approach) represents an effective therapy for severe cardiogenic shock that achieves high-flow circulatory support with simultaneous left-ventricular unloading. We present the new ECMELLA 2.0 concept, whereby a single arterial access technique is used to treat severe cardiogenic shock. The goal of this technique is to reduce access-related complications and make a bedside staged weaning from mechanical support possible.

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Bebiana Manuela Monteiro Faria ◽  
João Português ◽  
Roberto Roncon-Albuquerque Jr ◽  
Rodrigo Pimentel

Abstract Background Takotsubo syndrome (TS) is characterized by a transient left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and rarely presents with cardiogenic shock (CS). Inverted TS (ITS) is a rare entity associated with the presence of a pheochromocytoma. Case summary We present a case of a young woman was admitted to the emergency department due to intense headache, chest discomfort, palpitations, and breathlessness. An ITS secondary to a pheochromocytoma crisis presenting with CS was diagnosed. The patient was managed with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, until recovery of LV function. On the 35th day of hospitalization, open bilateral adrenalectomy was performed. Discussion Takotsubo syndrome patients presenting with CS are challenging and clinicians should be aware of underlying causes. Specific triggers such as pheochromocytoma should systematically be considered particularly if ITS was presented. Extracorporeal life support devices could provide temporary mechanical circulatory support in patients with TS on refractory CS and help to manage complex cases with TS due to pheochromocytoma.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Meani ◽  
Mikulas Mlcek ◽  
Mariusz Kowalewski ◽  
Giuseppe Maria Raffa ◽  
Federica Jiritano ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The use of peripheral veno-arterial extracorporeal life support (V-A ECLS) as a mechanical circulatory support in cardiogenic shock has increased dramatically over the last years. However, increased afterload may jeopardize left ventricle (LV) recovery and cause blood stasis and pulmonary edema. Therefore, several LV unloading techniques have been developed and used with limited understanding of the actual difference among them. The aim of the present study was to compare a trans-aortic suction device (Impella) and pulmonary artery (PA) drainage, for LV unloading and V-A ECLS management as well as efficacy in a porcine cardiogenic shock (CS) model Methods A dedicated CS model compared included twelve female swine (21± 1,8-weeks old and weighing 54,3 ± 4,6 kg) supported with V-A ECLS and randomized to Impella or PA-related LV drainage. LV unloading and end-organ perfusion were evaluated through the pulmonary artery catheter and the LV pressure/volume analysis. All the variables were collected at baseline, profound CS, V-A ECLS support with maximum flow and when Impella or PA cannula run on top. Results CS was successfully induced in all twelve animals. Impella resulted in a marked drop of LVEDV compared to a slight decrease in the PA cannula group, resulting in an overall stroke work (SW) and Pressure-Volume Area (PVA) reductions with both techniques. However, SW reduction was significant in the Impella CP group (VA ECMO 3998.82027.6 mmHg x mL vs VAECMO + Impella 1796.9±1033.9 mmHg x ml, p value 0,016), leading to a more consistent PVA reduction (Impella reduction 34,7% vs PA cannula reduction 9,7%) In terms of end organ perfusion, central and mixed O 2 saturation improved with V-A ECLS, and subsequently, remaining unchanged with either Impella or PA cannula as unloading strategy Conclusions Trans-aortic suction and PA drainage provided effective LV unloading during V-A ECLS while maintaining adequate end-organ perfusion. Trans-aortic suction device provides a greater LV unloading effect and reduces more effectively the total LV stroke work.


Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Petr Ostadal ◽  
Mikulas Mlcek ◽  
Svitlana Strunina ◽  
Matej Hrachovina ◽  
Andreas Kruger ◽  
...  

Introduction: Veno-arterial extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is increasingly used for the therapy of rapidly progressing or severe cardiogenic shock. However, it has been repeatedly shown that increased afterload associated with ECLS significantly deteriorates left ventricular (LV) performance. Recently, new ECG-synchronized pulsatile cardiac assist system was introduced that offers full circulatory support with increased diastolic and decreased systolic extracorporeal flow. The aim of the present study was to compare the parameters of LV function during standard continuous flow ECLS support and ECG-synchronized pulsatile flow ECLS in cardiogenic shock. Methods: Ten female swine (body weight 45 kg) underwent ECLS implantation under general anesthesia and artificial ventilation. Subsequently, acute cardiogenic shock with signs of tissue hypoperfusion was induced by global myocardial hypoxia. Hemodynamic and cardiac performance parameters were then measured at different levels of continuous or pulsatile ECLS flow (ranging from 1 L/min to 4 L/min) using arterial and venous catheters, a pulmonary artery catheter and a LV pressure-volume loop catheter. Results: Myocardial hypoxia resulted in a decline in mean (±SD) cardiac output to 2.3±1.2 L/min, systolic blood pressure to 61±7 mmHg and LV ejection fraction (EF) to 21±7%. Synchronized pulsatile flow was associated with significant reduction of LV end-systolic volume (ESV), increase in LV stroke volume (SV), and higher EF at all ECLS flow levels in comparison with continuous ECLS flow (Figure 1). At selected ECLS flow levels, pulsatile flow reduced also LV end-diastolic pressure (EDP), end-diastolic volume (EDV), and systolic pressure (SP) (Figure 1). Conclusion: Our results indicate that ECG-synchronized pulsatile ECLS flow preserves LV function in comparison with standard continuous-flow ECLS in cardiogenic shock.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mintje Bohné ◽  
Da-Un Chung ◽  
Eike Tigges ◽  
Hendrick van der Schalk ◽  
Daniela Waddell ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Eosinophilic myocarditis (EM) is a rare form of myocarditis. Clinical presentation is various, includes cardiogenic shock and can often be fatal. Diagnosis is based on myocardial eosinophilic infiltration in endomyocardial biopsy. Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is often required in patients suffering from severe cardiogenic shock. Among the available MCS options the “ECMELLA” concept, a combination of left ventricular venting by Impella® device and extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is possibly able to provide the necessary time frame for diagnostics and initiation of anti-inflammatory medication in patients with fulminant myocarditis. Case presentation We report a case of a 38‐year‐old woman who was presented to us in severe cardiogenic shock, quickly requiring hemodynamic support by an Impella CP® device. Further dramatic hemodynamic deterioration accompanied by multi-organ dysfunction required escalation of MCS via ECLS as veno‐arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). After histopathological diagnosis of EM, our patient was put on immunosuppressive therapy with prednisolone. Recovery of both right and left ventricular function allowed explanation of VA-ECMO on day 4 and further hemodynamic improvement allowed removal of the Impella® device on day 9. The patient was discharged after 7 weeks with fully restored cardiac function and in a good neurological state. Conclusions In severe cardiac shock due to fulminant EM the ECMELLA concept as bridge-to-recovery seems to be a valid option to provide the required time for diagnostics and specific therapy.


PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e3813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bastian Schmack ◽  
Philipp Seppelt ◽  
Alexander Weymann ◽  
Christina Alt ◽  
Mina Farag ◽  
...  

ObjectiveExtracorporeal life support (ECLS) is a life-saving procedure used in the treatment of severe cardiogenic shock. Within this retrospective single centre study, we examined our experience in this critically ill patient cohort to assess outcomes and clinical parameters by comparison of ECLS with or without selective left ventricular decompression.MethodsBetween 2004 and 2014 we evaluated 48 adult patients with INTERMACS level 1 heart failure (age 49.7 ± 19.5 years), who received either central ECLS with (n = 20, 41.7%) or ECLS without (n = 28, 58.3%, including 10 peripheral ECLS) integrated left ventricular vent in our retrospective single centre trial.ResultsFollow up was 100% with a mean of 0.83 ± 1.85 years. Bridge to ventricular assist device was feasible in 29.2% (n = 14), bridge to transplant in 10.4% (n = 5) and bridge to recovery in 8.3% (n = 4). Overall 30-day survival was 37.5%, 6-month survival 27.1% and 1-year survival 25.0%. ECLS support with left ventricular decompression showed favourable 30-day survival compared to ECLS without left ventricular decompression (p = 0.034). Thirty-day as well as long-term survival did not differ between the subgroups (central ECLS with vent, ECLS without vent and peripheral ECLS without vent). Multivariate logistic regression adjusted for age and gender revealed ECLS without vent as independent factor influencing 30-day survival.ConclusionECLS is an established therapy for patients in severe cardiogenic shock. Independent of the ECLS approach, 30-day mortality is still high but with superior 30-day survival for patients with ECLS and left ventricular venting. Moreover, by unloading the ventricle, left ventricular decompression may provide an important time window for recovery or further treatment, such as bridge to bridge or bridge to transplant.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carsten Tschöpe ◽  
Frank Spillmann ◽  
Evgenij Potapov ◽  
Alessandro Faragli ◽  
Konstantinos Rapis ◽  
...  

Objectives: Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is often required to stabilize therapy-refractory cardiogenic shock patients. Left ventricular (LV) unloading by mechanical ventricular support (MVS) via percutaneous devices, such as with Impella® axial pumps, alone or in combination with extracorporeal life support (ECLS, ECMELLA approach), has emerged as a potential clinical breakthrough in the field. While the weaning from MCS is essentially based on the evaluation of circulatory stability of patients, weaning from MVS holds a higher complexity, being dependent on bi-ventricular function and its adaption to load. As a result of this, weaning from MVS is mostly performed in the absence of established algorithms. MVS via Impella is applied in several cardiogenic shock etiologies, such as acute myocardial infarction (support over days) or acute fulminant myocarditis (prolonged support over weeks, PROPELLA). The time point of weaning from Impella in these cohorts of patients remains unclear. We here propose a novel cardiovascular physiology-based weaning algorithm for MVS.Methods: The proposed algorithm is based on the experience gathered at our center undergoing an Impella weaning between 2017 and 2020. Before undertaking a weaning process, patients must had been ECMO-free, afebrile, and euvolemic, with hemodynamic stability guaranteed in the absence of any inotropic support. The algorithm consists of 4 steps according to the acronym TIDE: (i) Transthoracic echocardiography under full Impella-unloading; (ii) Impella rate reduction in single 8–24 h-steps according to patients hemodynamics (blood pressure, heart rate, and ScVO2), including a daily echocardiographic assessment at minimal flow (P2); (iii) Dobutamine stress-echocardiography; (iv) Right heart catheterization at rest and during Exercise-testing via handgrip. We here present clinical and hemodynamic data (including LV conductance data) from paradigmatic weaning protocols of awake patients admitted to our intensive care unit with cardiogenic shock. We discuss the clinical consequences of the TIDE algorithm, leading to either a bridge-to-recovery, or to a bridge-to-permanent LV assist device (LVAD) and/or transplantation. With this protocol we were able to wean 74.2% of the investigated patients successfully. 25.8% showed a permanent weaning failure and became LVAD candidates.Conclusions: The proposed novel cardiovascular physiology-based weaning algorithm is based on the characterization of the extent and sustainment of LV unloading reached during hospitalization in patients with cardiogenic shock undergoing MVS with Impella in our center. Prospective studies are needed to validate the algorithm.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Sadlonova ◽  
Birgit Gerecke ◽  
Aschraf El-Essawi ◽  
Lars-Olav Harnisch ◽  
Onnen Moerer ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: A severe cardiogenic shock can present with clinical complications such as arrhythmias, ischemia and organ failure and even today is associated with a high mortality. Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) by veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO), Impella® and other mechanical circulatory support systems can reduce the acute circulatory failure. Case presentation: We present the case of a 38-year-old woman with an acute heart failure due to a coronary artery disease who underwent emergency coronary artery bypass grafting and intraoperative implantation of a VA-ECMO. Over the next 4 months, a multidisciplinary team-approach bridged the patient using first a left ventricular (LV) support system (Impella), then additionally a right ventricular (RV) Impella and finally a temporary paracorporeal continuous flow left ventricular support (Rotaflow). Following a promising neurological recovery, a long-term left ventricular assist device (LVAD) was implanted in a bride to transplant (BTT) concept. Conclusions: The addition of LV Impella and RV support by Impella (BiPELLA) on top of VA-ECMO may support survival of patients with refractory cardiogenic shock. In complex biventricular heart failure, an expert center must be able to provide an early multi-modular intervention with elaborated mechanical circulatory support due to a multidisciplinary expertise.


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