Point-of-Care Ultrasound–Guided Percutaneous Cannulation of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Make it Simple

Transoesophageal echocardiography in cardiac arrest: From the emergency department to the intensive care unit

Cardiac arrest is a hyper-acute condition with a high mortality that requires rapid diagnostics and treatment. As such, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has become a valuable tool in the assessment of these patients. While transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is the more conventional modality used to find reversible causes of cardiac arrest, transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) has been increasingly utilised due to its superior image quality, continuous imaging, and ability to be operated away from the patient's chest. TOE also has a number of applications in the aftermath of cardiac arrest, such as during the initiation of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) and the subsequent monitoring of extracorporeal membranous oxygenation (ECMO). As TOE has evolved, multiple variations have been developed with different utilities. In this article, we will review the evidence supporting the use of TOE in cardiac arrest and where the different forms of TOE can be applied to evaluate the cardiac arrest patient in a timely and accurate manner.

Assessment of echocardiographic interpretation of dual-lumen cannula during venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use for pediatric respiratory failure

PURPOSE

Echocardiography is considered essential during cannulation placement and manipulations. Literature evaluating transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) usage during pediatric VV-ECMO is scant. The purpose of this study is to describe the use of echocardiography during VV-ECMO at a large, quaternary children's hospital.

METHODS

A retrospective, single-year cohort study was performed of pediatric patients on VV-ECMO via dual-lumen cannula at our institution from January 2019 through December 2019. For each echocardiogram, final cannula component (re-infusion port (ReP), distal tip, proximal port and distal port) positions were evaluated by one echocardiographer. For TTEs with ReP in the right atrium, two echocardiographers independently evaluated ReP direction using 2-point (Yes/No) and 4-point scales, which were semi-quantitative protocols using color Doppler images to estimate ReP jet direction to the tricuspid valve. Cohen's kappa or weighted kappa was used to measure interrater agreement.

RESULTS

During study period, 11 patients (64% male) received VV-ECMO with 49 TTEs and one transesophageal echocardiogram performed. The median patient age was 4.3 years [IQR: 1.1-11.5] and median VV-ECMO run time of 192 h [90-349]. The median time between TTEs on VV-ECMO was 34 h [8.3-65]. Most common position for the ReP was the right atrium (n = 33, 67%), and ReP location was not identified in five TTEs (10%). For ReP flow direction, echocardiographers agreed on 82% of TTEs using 2-point evaluation. There was only moderate agreement between echocardiographers on the 2-point and 4-point assessments (k = .54, kw = .46 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

TTE is the predominant cardiac ultrasound modality used during VV-ECMO for pediatric respiratory failure. Subjective evaluation of VV-ECMO ReP jet direction in the right atrium is challenging, regardless of assessment method.

Echocardiographic and Point-of-Care Ultrasonography (POCUS) Guidance in the Management of the ECMO Patient

Veno-arterial (V-A) and Veno-venous (V-V) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support is increasingly utilized for acute cardiogenic shock and/or respiratory failure. Echocardiography and point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) play a critical role in the selection and management of these critically ill patients, however, there are limited guidelines regarding their application. This comprehensive review describes current and potential application of echocardiography and POCUS for pre-ECMO assessment and patient selection, cannulation guidance with emphasis on dual-lumen configurations, diagnosis of ECMO complications and trouble-shooting of cannula malposition, diagnosis of common cardiac or pulmonary pathologies, and assessment of ECMO weaning appropriateness including identification of the aortic mixing point in V-A ECMO.

Applications for ultrasound in pediatric surgery

Ultrasound (US) use within pediatric surgery is expanding rapidly. While US guidance for central line placement has been common practice for many years now, advances in the quality of images, portability of US machines, and a lack of radiation associated with imaging has led to broader application in many other aspects of surgery, ranging from diagnostics to performing operations under the direction of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). The relatively short learning curve for providers along with excellent image quality in children due to their small size provides an easy, effective imaging modality with diverse applications. Discussed here is a broad overview of the spectrum of US use within current pediatric surgical practices.

Percutaneous, ultrasound-guided single- and multisite cannulation for veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in neonates

AIMS

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a widely used technique to support neonates with severe respiratory failure. Data on percutaneous, ultrasound-guided veno-venous (VV) ECMO cannulation in neonates is still scarce. Aim of this study was to describe our institutional experience with ultrasound-guided percutaneous, VV ECMO cannulation in neonates with severe respiratory failure.

METHODS

Neonates receiving ECMO support at our department between January 2017 and January 2021 were retrospectively identified. Patients receiving VV ECMO cannulation performed by the percutaneous Seldinger technique by single- or multisite cannulation were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 54 neonates received ECMO cannulation performed by the percutaneous Seldinger technique. In 39 patients (72%) a 13 French bicaval dual-lumen cannula was inserted and in 15 patients (28%) two single-lumen cannulae were used. Cannulae positioning using the multisite approach was in all cases as desired. The tip of the 13 French cannula was located in the IVC in 35/39 patients, in four patients position was too proximal but did not dislocate during the ECMO run. One (2%) preterm neonate (weight 1.75 kg) developed a cardiac tamponade which was successfully managed with drainage. Median duration of ECMO was 7 days (interquartile range: 5-16 days). Forty-four patients (82%) were successfully weaned from ECMO and in 31/44 (71%) the ECMO cannulae were removed with a delay of 0.9-7.2 days (median 2.8 days) after weaning without noticing complications.

CONCLUSIONS

A correct cannula placement using the ultrasound-guided percutaneous Seldinger technique, for both single- and multisite cannulation, seems feasible in most neonatal patients receiving VV ECMO.

Transesophageal Echocardiography-Guided Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Cannulation in COVID-19 Patients

OBJECTIVES

A paucity of data supports the use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for bedside extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) cannulation. Concerns have been raised about performing TEEs in patients with COVID-19. The authors describe the use and safety of TEE guidance for ECMO cannulation for COVID-19.

DESIGN

Single-center retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

The study took place in the intensive care unit of an academic tertiary center.

PARTICIPANTS

The authors included 107 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection who underwent bedside venovenous ECMO (VV ECMO) cannulation under TEE guidance between May 2020 and June 2021.

INTERVENTIONS

TEE-guided bedside VV ECMO cannulation.

MEASUREMENTS

Patient characteristics, physiologic and ventilatory parameters, and echocardiographic findings were analyzed. The primary outcome was the number of successful TEE-guided bedside cannulations without complications. The secondary outcomes were cannulation complications, frequency of cannula repositioning, and TEE-related complications.

MAIN RESULTS

TEE-guided cannulation was successful in 99% of the patients. Initial cannula position was adequate in all but 1 patient. Fourteen patients (13%) required cannula repositioning during ECMO support. Forty-five patients (42%) had right ventricular systolic dysfunction, and 9 (8%) had left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Twelve patients (11%) had intracardiac thrombi. One superficial arterial injury and 1 pneumothorax occurred. No pericardial tamponade, hemothorax or intraabdominal bleeding occurred in the authors' cohort. No TEE-related complications or COVID-19 infection of healthcare providers were reported during this study.

CONCLUSIONS

Bedside TEE guidance for VV ECMO cannulation is safe in patients with severe respiratory failure due to COVID-19. No tamponade or hemothorax, nor TEE-related complications were observed in the authors' cohort.

Impact factors of POCUS-guided cannulation for peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: One single-center retrospective clinical analysis

We aimed to evaluate associated factors for point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS)-guided percutaneous catheterization for venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). VA-ECMO cases from March 2018 to October 2020 in Department of Intensive Care Unit, Binhaiwan Central Hospital of Dongguan, were enrolled. Clinical data, outcomes, and complications were recorded and summarized. Fifty-nine cases were enrolled, among which 88.1% succeeded in POCUS-guided catheterization via Seldinger technique, whereas 59.3% succeeded at the first puncture. Results showed that artery diameter and times of arterial punctures were independent associated factors for Seldinger puncture (P = .018, odds ratio [OR] = 23.374, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.706-320.270; P = .031, OR = 145.098, 95% CI = 1.592-13220.980), and artery diameter and cardiac ejection fraction value (≥30%/<30%) were independent associated factors for first puncture (P = .044, OR = 1.622, 95% CI = 1.014-2.596; P = .013, OR = 5.565, 95% CI = 1.441-21.488). For extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation patients, artery diameter was independent associated factor for Seldinger puncture (P = .022, OR = 2.070, 95% CI = 1.110-3.858), and cardiac ejection fraction value (≥30%/<30%) was independent associated factor for first puncture (P = .007, OR = 9.533, 95% CI = 1.847-49.204). Thirteen patients (22.0%) had local hemorrhage post puncture, 8 patients (13.6%) presented distal limb arterial ischemia, and 8 patients (13.6%) suffered puncture-related thrombosis. Vasoactive Inotropic Score was found to be independent associated factor for local hemorrhage (P = .039, OR = 0.994, 95% CI = 0.988-1.000), and the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score was independent associated factor for thrombosis (P = .025, OR = 0.935, 95% CI = 0.882-0.992). Diabetes and cardiopulmonary resuscitation time before catheterization were independent factors for distal limb ischemia (P = .026, OR = 220.774, 95% CI = 1.905-25591.327; P = .017, OR = 1.054, 95% CI = 1.009-1.101). POCUS-guided percutaneous catheterization via Seldinger technique can be the first choice for VA-ECMO cannulation, especially for a team without angiotomy qualifications. Before cannulation, evaluating the target artery and heart function by ultrasound can help predict outcome of catheterization. Assessing risk factors (diabetes, cardiopulmonary resuscitation time before catheterization, Vasoactive Inotropic Score, the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score) is helpful for prevention and treatment of complications.

Risk factors for severe lower extremity ischemia following venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: an analysis using a nationwide inpatient database

Objectives

Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is increasingly being used as a life-saving modality in critically ill patients. Despite its necessity, severe lower extremity ischemia associated with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation remains a potentially devastating complication. We aimed to investigate the incidence and risk factors for severe lower extremity ischemia requiring fasciotomy or amputation following venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Methods

All patients who received venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation during hospitalization were identified in a Japanese national inpatient database from July 1, 2010 to March 31, 2018. The primary outcome was occurrence of severe lower extremity ischemia that required fasciotomy or amputation. We used cause-specific proportional hazard models to examine the associations between potential risk factors and outcomes. We also performed a competing-risk analysis to estimate the cause-specific HR for severe lower extremity ischemia using a multivariable competing-risk Cox proportional hazard model with adjustment for potential risk factors.

Results

A total of 29 231 patients who underwent venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation during hospitalization were identified. Of these, 98 patients (0.3%) had lower extremity ischemia requiring fasciotomy or amputation. The young group (≤18 years) had a significantly higher proportion of severe lower extremity ischemia cases than the adult (19-59 years) and elderly (≥60 years) groups (1.4%, 0.5%, and 0.2%, respectively; p<0.001). In a multivariable competing-risk Cox proportional hazards regression model, younger age (HR 3.06; 95% CI 1.33 to 7.02; p<0.008) and consciousness disturbance on admission (HR 2.53; 95% CI 1.60 to 3.99; p<0.001) were significantly associated with higher likelihood of severe lower extremity ischemia.

Conclusion

In this study using a nationwide database, younger age and consciousness disturbance on admission were associated with higher risk of severe lower extremity ischemia following venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Level of evidence

Level Ⅲ-prognostic and epidemiological.

Echocardiography for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides advanced cardiopulmonary life support for patients in cardiac and/or respiratory failure. Echocardiography provides essential diagnostic and anatomic information prior to ECMO initiation, allows for safe and efficient ECMO cannula positioning, guides optimization of flow, provides a modality for rapid troubleshooting and patient evaluation, and facilitates decision-making for eventual weaning of ECMO support. Currently, guidelines for echocardiographic assessment in this clinical context are lacking. In this review, we provide an overview of echocardiographic considerations for advanced imagers involved in the care of these complex patients. We focus predominately on new cannulas and complex cannulation techniques, including a special focus on double lumen cannulas and a section discussing indirect left ventricular venting. Echocardiography is tremendously valuable in providing optimal care in these challenging clinical situations. It is imperative for imaging physicians to understand the pertinent anatomic considerations, the often complicated physiological and hemodynamic context, and the limitations of the imaging modality.

SEDAR/SECCE ECMO management consensus document

ECMO is an extracorporeal cardiorespiratory support system whose use has been increased in the last decade. Respiratory failure, postcardiotomy shock, and lung or heart primary graft failure may require the use of cardiorespiratory mechanical assistance. In this scenario perioperative medical and surgical management is crucial. Despite the evolution of technology in the area of extracorporeal support, morbidity and mortality of these patients continues to be high, and therefore the indication as well as the ECMO removal should be established within a multidisciplinary team with expertise in the area. This consensus document aims to unify medical knowledge and provides recommendations based on both the recent bibliography and the main national ECMO implantation centres experience with the goal of improving comprehensive patient care.

A case report of an interrupted inferior vena cava and azygos continuation: implications for preoperative screening in minimally invasive cardiac surgery

Background

Femoral cannulation is commonly used in minimally invasive cardiac surgery to establish extracorporeal circulation. We present a case with a finding that should be evaluated when screening candidates for minimally invasive cardiac surgery.

Case summary

A 57-year-old male patient was scheduled for minimally invasive repair of the mitral and tricuspid valve and a MAZE procedure. During surgery there was difficulty advancing the venous cannula inserted in the right femoral vein. On transoesophageal echocardiography a guidewire advanced from the femoral vein was observed entering the right atrium from the superior vena cava. Despite inserting a second venous cannula in the jugular vein, venous drainage was insufficient for minimal invasive surgery. The approach was converted to a median sternotomy with bicaval cannulation. Re-examination of the preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan showed an interrupted inferior vena cava (IVC) with azygos continuation.

Discussion

In patients with major venous malformations such as the interrupted IVC with azygos continuation a full sternotomy is the preferred approach. The venous system should be evaluated when screening candidates for minimally invasive mitral valve surgery with preoperative CT. Additional cues to suspect interruption of the IVC are polysplenia and a broad superior mediastinal projection on the chest radiograph, mimicking a right paratracheal mass.

Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation during high-risk airway interventions

OBJECTIVES

Practice patterns for the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) during high-risk airway interventions vary, and data are limited. We aim to characterize our recent experience using ECMO for procedural support during whole-lung lavage (WLL) and high-risk bronchoscopy for central airway obstruction (CAO).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study of adults who received ECMO during WLL and high-risk bronchoscopy from 1 July 2018 to 30 March 2020. Our primary end point was successful completion of the intervention. Secondary end points included ECMO-associated complications and hospital survival.

RESULTS

Eight patients received venovenous ECMO for respiratory support during 9 interventions; 3 WLLs for pulmonary alveolar proteinosis were performed in 2 patients, and 6 patients underwent 6 bronchoscopic interventions for CAO. We initiated ECMO prior to the intervention in 8 cases and during the intervention in 1 case for respiratory decompensation. All 9 interventions were successfully completed. Median ECMO duration was 17.8 h (interquartile range, 15.9-26.6) for the pulmonary alveolar proteinosis group and 1.9 h (interquartile range, 1.4-8.1) for the CAO group. There was 1 cannula-associated deep vein thrombosis; there were no other ECMO complications. Seven patients (87.5%) and 4 (50.0%) patients survived to discharge and 1 year postintervention, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of venovenous ECMO to facilitate high-risk airway interventions is safe and feasible. Planned preprocedural ECMO initiation may prevent avoidable respiratory emergencies and extend therapeutic airway interventions to patients otherwise considered too high risk to treat. Guidelines are needed to inform the utilization of ECMO during high-risk bronchoscopy and other airway interventions.

Basic point-of-care ultrasound framework based on the airway, breathing, and circulation approach for the initial management of shock and dyspnea

Ultrasound (US) carried out and interpreted by clinicians at the bedside is now called point‐of‐care US (POCUS). Clinical studies on POCUS have been carried out based on the ideas of “creation”, “extraction”, and “combination”. “Creation” refers to findings for the upper airway and lung being obtained at the bedside. “Extraction” refers to findings suitable for POCUS being extracted from comprehensive US, including echocardiography, abdominal US, and whole‐leg US. “Combination” refers to these POCUS applications being combined for the comprehensive assessment of patients with trauma, shock, or dyspnea. Emergency and critical care physicians have many opportunities to encounter trauma or non‐trauma patients with shock, dyspnea, or both. Furthermore, the scope of POCUS includes many diseases and injuries that present with both shock and dyspnea. Therefore, we propose a basic POCUS framework based on the systematic airway, breathing, and circulation approach for the initial management of shock and dyspnea in adult patients. In this article, we update and review each application of POCUS and their combination in this framework. Furthermore, we propose the practical usage of the framework based on clinical presentations to improve the management of shock and dyspnea.

[Recommendations for extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (eCPR) : Consensus statement of DGIIN, DGK, DGTHG, DGfK, DGNI, DGAI, DIVI and GRC]

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (eCPR) may be considered as a rescue attempt for highly selected patients with refractory cardiac arrest and potentially reversible etiology. Currently there are no randomized, controlled studies on eCPR, and valid predictors of benefit and outcome which might guide the indication for eCPR are lacking. Currently selection criteria and procedures differ across hospitals and standardized algorithms are lacking. Based on expert opinion, the present consensus statement provides a proposal for a standardized treatment algorithm for eCPR.