Toward microfluidic integration of respiratory and renal organ support in a single cartridge.

Background: Extracorporeal organ assist devices provide lifesaving functions for acutely and chronically ill patients suffering from respiratory and renal failure, but their availability and use is severely limited by an extremely high level of operational complexity. While current hollow fiber-based devices provide high-efficiency blood gas transfer and waste removal in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and hemodialysis, respectively, their impact on blood health is often highly deleterious and difficult to control. Further challenges are encountered when integrating multiple organ support functions, as is often required when ECMO and ultrafiltration (UF) are combined to deal with fluid overload in critically ill patients, necessitating an unwieldy circuit containing two separate cartridges.

Asymptomatic Intracardiac Cement Embolism Following Kyphoplasty.

Cement extravasation can occur during vertebral body augmentation such as kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty with diverse presentation and resultant treatment. The cement can embolize through venous vasculature to the thorax where it poses a potential threat to the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems. A thorough risk-benefit analysis should be conducted to select the appropriate treatment course.