Background: We developed a novel mechanical rapid cardiopulmonary support system (CPS) in 1996 to eliminate what we believed were shortcomings of conventional extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) circuits when used in patients with congenital heart disease. We reviewed the use of this system over a nine year period to determine if we had been successful in improving results compared with ECMO and if outcomes have changed over this time.
Methods: All children supported with CPS (110 procedures) were reviewed.
Background: The efficacy of antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) during complex neonatal single ventricle palliation requiring arch reconstruction is uncertain. We adapted the use of ACP in early 2001 in a programmatic effort to minimize the use of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA).
Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data of 126 consecutive patients operated on between 1995 and 2004, including stage-one palliation of hypoplastic left heart syndrome, stage-one palliation for nonhypoplastic left heart syndrome, and Damus-Kaye-Stansel procedures.
Background: We sought to determine if postoperative serial lactate determinations follow predictable patterns that could be useful in directing management, especially the initiation of postoperative mechanical cardiopulmonary support (CPS).
Methods: Eight patients undergoing CPS in a 2-year period and 147 patients not requiring postoperative CPS in 6 months of that period were stratified into 6 categories based on short-term risk for mortality (1 being the lowest risk). Lactate values for the first 48 hours postoperatively were retrospectively analyzed.