International Perfusion Association

Day: February 29, 2024

Lung ECMO

Severe Lung Dysfunction and Pulmonary Blood Flow during Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

This retrospective study explores the role of echocardiography in assessing pulmonary damage and its correlation with outcomes in ECMO patients with septic shock of pulmonary origin. Among 277 patients screened, 9 had both CT and echocardiography performed. The findings suggest that CT scans were ineffective in differentiating viable lung parenchyma between survivors and non-survivors. However, echocardiography revealed significant differences in pulmonary blood flow (PBF) changes, indicating its potential as a predictive tool for pulmonary recovery in ECMO-treated patients. Specifically, non-survivors experienced a marked decline in PBF, suggesting its utility in prognostication.

READ MORE
Blood Pressure

Blood Pressure Fragmentation as a New Measure of Blood Pressure Variability: Association with Predictors of Cardiac Surgery Outcomes

This study introduces a novel measure for assessing beat-to-beat blood pressure variability (BPV) called blood pressure fragmentation (BPF). It examines the association of increased preoperative BPF with older age, higher cardiac surgical risk, and longer ICU stay after cardiac surgery. A sample of 497 patients undergoing cardiac surgery was analyzed, showing that higher systolic BPF is linked to older age, increased surgical risk scores, and extended ICU stays. The study suggests BPF as a potential tool for preoperative health status and risk stratification, encouraging further research into its utility.

READ MORE