Effect of chest compressions in addition to extracorporeal life support on carotid flow in an experimental model of refractory cardiac arrest in pigs.

Background: Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) provides organ perfusion in refractory cardiac arrest but during the initiation of ECLS mean arterial pressure (MAP) and carotid flow may be suboptimal due to hypotension and/or insufficient flow. We hypothesized that cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in addition to ECLS may increase carotid flow and MAP compared to ECLS alone.

Methods: Observational pilot study comparing hemodynamic parameters before and after CPR cessation in pigs supported by ECLS for experimental refractory cardiac arrest.

Left ventricular energetics in patients receiving veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Introduction: The haemodynamic effects veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) remain inadequately understood. We investigated invasive left ventricular (LV) haemodynamics in patients who underwent treatment with an intensive care strategy involving extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR).

Methods: We conducted invasive haemodynamic assessments on 15 patients who underwent ECPR and achieved return of spontaneous circulation.

Mild (34 °C) versus moderate hypothermia (24 °C) in a swine model of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Background: The role of hypothermia in post-arrest neuroprotection is controversial. Animal studies suggest potential benefits with lower temperatures, but high-fidelity ECPR models evaluating temperatures below 30 °C are lacking.

Objectives: To determine whether rapid cooling to 24 °C initiated upon reperfusion reduces brain injury compared to 34 °C in a swine model of ECPR.

Temporal trends in organ donation among cardiac arrest patients treated with extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Aims: This study explores the evolution of organ donation from patients treated with extracorporeal-cardiopulmonary-resuscitation (ECPR) for refractory out-of-hospital-cardiac-arrest (OHCA) and evaluates the public health benefits of a mature ECPR program.

Methods: This retrospective, single-center study included OHCA patients (2016-2023) who had mostly initial shockable rhythms and were treated with ECPR. Organ donation rates from non-survivors through these years were analyzed.

Impact of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation on neurological prognosis and survival in adult patients after cardiac arrest: An individual pooled patient data meta-analysis.

Background: We aimed to estimate the effect of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) on neurological outcome and mortality, when compared to conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CCPR), using an individual patient data meta-analysis (IPDMA).

Methods: A systematic literature search was performed up to the 20th of October 2022 in the PubMed, EMBASE and CENTRAL databases. For observational studies with unmatched populations, a propensity score including age, location of arrest and initial rhythm was used to match ECPR and CCPR patients in a 1:1 ratio.

The link between carotid artery stenosis and outcomes in patients with refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Background: Mortality of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains high. Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) has revolutionized OHCA treatment, but our understanding of the ECPR responder's clinical profile is incomplete. Carotid artery stenosis (CAS) is a well-established cardiovascular disease risk factor.

Bleeding and Thrombosis in Patients With Out-of-Hospital Ventricular Tachycardia/Ventricular Fibrillation Arrest Treated With Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

Background: Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation improves outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. However, bleeding and thrombosis are common complications. We aimed to describe the incidence and predictors of bleeding and thrombosis and their association with in-hospital mortality.

Evolution of distal limb perfusion management in adult peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation with femoral artery cannulation.

Limb ischaemia is a clinically relevant complication of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) with femoral artery cannulation. No selective distal perfusion or other advanced techniques were used in the past to maintain adequate distal limb perfusion. A more recent trend is the shift from the reactive or emergency management to the pro-active or prophylactic placement of a distal perfusion cannula to avoid or reduce limb ischaemia-related complications.

The cerebral and cardiac effects of Norepinephrine in an experimental cardiac arrest model.

Introduction: Epinephrine has been the main drug recommended for decades during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). But epinephrine's ß-adrenergic effects might increase myocardial oxygen consumption and may cause arrythmias after ROSC. Norepinephrine has a weaker ß-adrenergic effect and could be useful during CPR.

Machine Learning Identifies Higher Survival Profile In Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

Objectives: Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) has been shown to improve neurologically favorable survival in patients with refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) caused by shockable rhythms. Further refinement of patient selection is needed to focus this resource-intensive therapy on those patients likely to benefit. This study sought to create a selection model using machine learning (ML) tools for refractory cardiac arrest patients undergoing ECPR.

Virtual reality to predict paravalvular leak in bicuspid severe aortic valve stenosis in transcatheter aortic valve implants.

Objectives: Severe aortic stenosis (AS) in bicuspid aortic valves (BAV) is associated with an increased risk of paravalvular leak (PVL) after a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Virtual reality (VR) has been shown to be an effective tool in surgical training, but its utility in clinical practice has not been studied. Here we present the first study to evaluate the use of VR simulation in pre-procedure planning and prediction of PVL in TAVR in patients with severe BAV AS.

Left ventricular hemodynamics with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Background: There is considerable debate about the hemodynamic effects of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO).

Aims: To evaluate the changes in left ventricular (LV) function, volumes, and work in patients treated with VA-ECMO using invasive LV catheterization and three-dimensional echocardiographic volumes.

Methods: Patients on VA-ECMO underwent invasive hemodynamic evaluation due to concerns regarding candidacy for decannulation.

Wolf Creek XVII Part 7: Mechanical circulatory support.

Introduction: Failure to restore spontaneous circulation remains a major cause of death for cardiac arrest (CA) patients. Mechanical circulatory support, specifically extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR), has emerged as a feasible and efficacious rescue strategy for selected refractory CA patients.

Methods: Mechanical Circulatory Support was one of six focus topics for the Wolf Creek XVII Conference held on June 14-17, 2023 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.

Case Report: Correlation between pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and left-ventricular diastolic pressure during treatment with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Background: Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) is often used as a surrogate for left-ventricular end-diastolic pressure in patients (LVEDP) who are on veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) support for cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest. However, the correlation between PCWP and LVEDP is not clear in the setting of V-A ECMO usage. We sought to evaluate this correlation in this case series.

Cerebral hemodynamic effects of head-up CPR in a porcine model.

Aim: To assess the hemodynamic effects of head elevation on cerebral perfusion during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in a porcine model of cardiac arrest.

Methods: VF was induced in eight 65 kg pigs that were treated with CPR after five minutes of no flow. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was measured at the descending thoracic aorta.

Association between cardiopulmonary resuscitation duration and survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest according: a first nationwide study in France.

Objective: Determining whether to pursue or terminate resuscitation efforts remains one of the biggest challenges of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). No ideal cut-off duration has been recommended and the association between CPR duration and survival is still unclear for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). The aim of this study was to assess the association between CPR duration and 30-day survival after OHCA with favorable neurological outcomes according to initial rhythm.

Prognostic factors associated with favourable functional outcome among adult patients requiring extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR), has demonstrated promise in the management of refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). However, evidence from observational studies and clinical trials are conflicting and the factors influencing outcome have not been well established.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis summarizing the association between pre-ECPR prognostic factors and likelihood of good functional outcome among adult patients requiring ECPR for OHCA.

Impact of age on survival for patients receiving ECPR for refractory out-of-hospital VT/VF cardiac arrest.

Background: Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) has been shown to improve neurologically favorable survival for patients with refractory ventricular tachycardia (VT)/ventricular fibrillation (VF) out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Prior studies of the impact of age on outcomes in ECPR have demonstrated mixed results and we aim to investigate this relationship.

Methods: Patients treated with ECPR at the University of Minnesota Medical Center for refractory out-of-hospital VT/VF arrest from December 2015 to February 2023 were included.