Applied Uses of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Therapy

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Use as Supportive Therapy in a Patient With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Due to Rupture of a Pulmonary Hydatid Cyst

Pulmonary echinococcosis is a parasitic infection that accounts for 20% of the infected cases with echinococcosis. Patients may present after a cyst rupture associated with a variety of complications, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is known as supportive therapy for patients with respiratory and cardiac failure, including ARDS associated with multiple causes. Parasitic infection associated with ARDS due to cyst rupture managed with ECMO as bridging to definitive surgical intervention is documented in two previous case reports only. Here, we are presenting a 21-year-old female with a pulmonary hydatid cyst complicated by ARDS and managed with ECMO.

Levosimendan to Facilitate Weaning From Cardiorespiratory Support in Critically Ill Patients: A Meta-Analysis

Background: Cardiopulmonary support, as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) or mechanical ventilation (MV), is crucial for ICU patients. However, some of these patients are difficult to wean. Therefore, we aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of levosimendan in facilitating weaning from cardiorespiratory support in this patient population. Methods: We searched for potentially relevant articles in PubMed, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and the Cochrane database from inception up to Feb 30, 2021. Studies focusing on weaning data in MV/ECMO adult patients who received levosimendan compared to controls were included. We used the Cochrane risk of bias tool or the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale to evaluate the study quality. The primary outcome was the weaning rate from MV/ECMO. Secondary outcomes were mortality, duration of MV, and ICU stay. Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias were also conducted. Results: Eighteen studies with 2,274 patients were included. The quality of the included studies was low to moderate. Overall, levosimendan effectively improved weaning rates from MV/ECMO [odds ratio (OR) = 2.32; 95%CI, 1.60-3.36; P < 0.00001, I 2 = 68%]. Subgroup analyses confirmed the higher successful weaning rates in ventilated patients with low left ventricular ejection fractions (OR = 4.06; 95%CI, 2.16-7.62), patients with ECMO after cardiac surgery (OR = 2.04; 95%CI, 1.25-3.34), and patients with ECMO and cardiogenic shock (OR = 1.98; 95%CI, 1.34-2.91). However, levosimendan showed no beneficial effect on patients with MV weaning difficulty (OR = 2.28; 95%CI, 0.72-7.25). Additionally, no differences were found concerning the secondary outcomes between the groups. Conclusions: Levosimendan therapy significantly increased successful weaning rates in patients with cardiopulmonary support, especially patients with combined cardiac insufficiency. Large-scale, well-designed RCTs will be needed to define the subgroup of patients most likely to benefit from this strategy.

Opportunities for biomaterials to address the challenges of COVID-19

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has revealed major shortcomings in our ability to mitigate transmission of infectious viral disease and provide treatment to patients, resulting in a public health crisis. Within months of the first reported case in China, the virus has spread worldwide at an unprecedented rate. COVID‐19 illustrates that the biomaterials community was engaged in significant research efforts against bacteria and fungi with relatively little effort devoted to viruses. Accordingly, biomaterials scientists and engineers will have to participate in multidisciplinary antiviral research over the coming years. Although tissue engineering and regenerative medicine have historically dominated the field of biomaterials, current research holds promise for providing transformative solutions to viral outbreaks. To facilitate collaboration, it is imperative to establish a mutual language and adequate understanding between clinicians, industry partners, and research scientists. In this article, clinical perspectives are shared to clearly define emerging healthcare needs that can be met by biomaterials solutions. Strategies and opportunities for novel biomaterials intervention spanning diagnostics, treatment strategies, vaccines, and virus‐deactivating surface coatings are discussed. Ultimately this review serves as a call for the biomaterials community to become a leading contributor to the prevention and management of the current and future viral outbreaks.

CPR and ECMO: The Next Frontier

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a first-line therapy for sudden cardiac arrest, while extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has traditionally been used as a means of countering circulatory failure. However, new advances dictate that CPR and ECMO could be complementary for support after cardiac arrest. This review details the emerging science, technology, and clinical application that are enabling the new paradigm of these iconic circulatory support modalities in the setting of cardiac arrest.