Rescue extracorporeal life support for acute verapamil and propranolol toxicity in a neonate.

Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) to manage acute antiarrhythmic drugs toxicity in neonates has never been reported. Here presented is a case of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in a newborn with refractory low cardiac output as a result of acute Ca-channel and β-receptor antagonist toxicity for treatment of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Shortly after onset of ECLS, the baby recovered sinus rhythm and subsequent bouts of SVT were controlled by amiodarone infusion and repeated DC shocks.

Pulsatile pulmonary perfusion with oxygenated blood ameliorates pulmonary hemodynamic and respiratory indices in low-risk coronary artery bypass patients.

Objective: Acute lung injury still accounts for postoperative mortality after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The safety and the efficacy of pulsatile pulmonary perfusion (PPP) during CPB were analyzed. Preliminary results of the first PPP trial in human beings are reported.

Insights from continued use of a Novacor Left Ventricular Assist System for a period of 6 years.

We report a patient supported with the Novacor Left Ventricular Assist System for more than 6 years and chronicle his progress as an illustration of the clinical, practical, and emotional challenges of this therapy and the benefits of an intervention that can return a morbidly ill patient to an essentially normal lifestyle. This experience underlines the importance of patient selection, optimal timing of intervention, and the potential impact of psychologic issues on outcome.

Hemodynamic effects of inhaled nitric oxide and phosphodiesterase inhibitor (dipyridamole) on secondary pulmonary hypertension following heart valve surgery in adults.

Background: Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is proposed in the management of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Secondary PH related to a long-standing heart valve disease however may be refractory to iNO. Aim of this prospective study was to determine whether the combination of iNO plus dipyridamole (DP), a cyclic guanosine monophosphate-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor (PDE5), may enhance and/or prolong the response to iNO in adult patients with secondary valve-related PH undergoing cardiac surgery, and attenuate rebound events related to its discontinuation.