Same but Different-ECMO in COVID-19 and ARDS of Other Etiologies. Comparison of Survival Outcomes and Management in Different ARDS Groups.

COVID-19 has led to increased numbers of patients in need of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support, but knowledge on management in comparison to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) of other etiologies is still lacking. We analyzed venovenous ECMO management and survival outcomes in patients with COVID-19 in comparison to influenza ARDS and pulmonary ARDS of other origin. Retrospective analysis of prospective venovenous ECMO registry-based data collection was performed.

High fidelity ECMO simulation: a reality check with reality-use of simulation in ECMO teaching program.

Simulation based learning is becoming a crucial part in ECMO education. Simulation can provide a safe but also very realistic learning experience depending on simulation fidelity. In our institution we developed a simulation based ECMO training program that incorporates low- and high-fidelity simulation.

Cardiac Arrest and Inverted Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Following Intramyometrial Vasopressin Injection During Myomectomy.

Unlabelled: Vasopressin is involved in cardiovascular homeostasis that can influence coronary perfusion. It is commonly used as a local vasoconstricting agent during gynaecological procedures. We present a case of cardiac arrest and inverse Takotsubo features following intramyometrial vasopressin administration during myomectomy.

Emergency percutaneous implantation of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the catheterisation laboratory.

Aims: Our aim was to describe our protocol for emergency percutaneous implantation of femoral veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) in the catheterisation laboratory and to compare its effectiveness and safety with implantation in the intensive care unit and the operating room.

Methods And Results: Our retrospective observational study enrolled 56 consecutive patients undergoing VA ECMO implantation in the catheterisation laboratory (n=23), the intensive care unit (n=8) and the operating room (n=25). Among patients undergoing catheterisation laboratory implantation, 11 patients had profound cardiogenic shock but preserved arterial pulsations, and 12 patients had refractory cardiac arrest undergoing automated mechanical chest compression.

Extracorporeal life support: first year of experience implementing the technique in Slovenia.

Extracorporeal life support (ELS) is emerging as a standard treatment option for acute respiratory and/or cardiac failure. In this article we describe our first year of experience with ELS activity in adult medical patients in our center. Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) support was applied in cases of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) not responsive to conventional treatments.

Atorvastatin therapy may reduce the incidence of sudden cardiac death in patients with advanced chronic heart failure.

Background: In retrospective studies, statin therapy has been related to decreased incidence of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in heart failure. We sought to prospectively investigate a relation between atorvastatin therapy and SCD in patients with advanced chronic heart failure.

Methods And Results: We enrolled 110 patients with heart failure with a left ventricular ejection fraction less than 30% and cholesterol level greater than 150 mg/dL.

Atorvastatin therapy increases heart rate variability, decreases QT variability, and shortens QTc interval duration in patients with advanced chronic heart failure.

Background: Although statins decrease the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with atherosclerotic heart disease, their potential antiarrhythmic effects in heart failure remain undefined.

Methods And Results: Of 80 heart failure patients enrolled, 40 were randomized to receive atorvastatin (statin group); the remaining 40 served as controls. At baseline and after 3 months, we measured heart rate variability (HRV), QT variability (QTV), and QTc interval using interactive high-resolution electrocardiogram analysis.