Implementing an Innovative Cardiac Assist System in a Nonuniversity Hospital—Feasibility, Complications, and First Results. Issue 7 (10th April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Graf, Jochen; Radunz, Wolfram; Häger, Isabell; Fehr, Eva‐Marie; Scharpf, Dominik; Kuhn, Andreas; Maier, Jens‐Martin; Hennersdorf, Marcus
• Is Part Of: Artificial organs. Volume 39:Issue 7(2015:Jul.)
• Page Start: 635
• Page End: 639
• Publication Date: 2015-04-10
• Subjects: Artificial organs -- Periodicals; 617.956
• DOI: 10.1111/aor.12445
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-564X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>To evaluate the feasibility of implementing a cardiac assist system in a nonuniversity hospital we analyzed 18 consecutive patients treated with venoarterial membrane oxygenation. The system was used electively in 5/18 (27.8%) patients during high‐risk interventions. Thirteen patients (72.2%) were treated in emergency situations. The extracorporal system could be initiated successfully in all patients. Periprocedural complications were hemolysis in 3/18 (16.7%), disseminated intravascular coagulation in 2/18 (11.1%), cerebral ischemia in 1/18 (5.6%), and local infection in 2/18 (11.1%) patients. None of these led to a discontinuation of the therapy. All electively treated patients were successfully weaned from the extracorporeal system. In 9/13 (69.2%) emergency patients the system was removed successfully. The 60‐day survival rate of the emergency patients was 53.8% (7/13). Our experience confirms that an innovative extracorporeal circulatory support system can be implemented in a nonuniversity hospital at a tolerable risk and a low complication and high procedural success rate.</p> </abstract>