Jana Assy , Ibrahim Fawzi , Mariam Arabi , Ziad Bulbul , Fadi Bitar , Mariane Majdalani , Rana Sharara , Issam El Rassi
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引用次数: 1
Abstract
Background
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a temporary mechanical support system that handles the function of the heart and/or lungs in patients with a variety of cardiac and respiratory problems. Veno-arterial ECMO is most commonly used for patients recovering from heart surgery, suffering from cardiac shock, or awaiting a heart transplant.
Case report
A 7 year old boy with a single ventricle physiology was admitted for a Fontan procedure with repair of the common valve. At the end of surgery, transesophagal echocardiography showed a severely depressed myocardial function, and weaning of bypass required a high inotropic support. During the following week, the heart never recovered, with an ejection fraction at 24%. Veno-Arterial ECMO was decided on postoperative day 9 with a 19 Fr venous cannula inserted through the right jugular vein into the intracardiac Fontan baffle, and a 15 Fr arterial cannula into the right carotid artery.
On ECMO day 7, after failure to wean from ECMO, he was listed for an urgent heart transplant, with the suggestion of a transfer to Europe, for a shorter transplantation delay.
The ECMO team from Hamad Hospital in Qatar accomplished the transfer successfully, on a humanitarian basis. The transfer was done on ECMO Day 10. The child was safely admitted to a hospital in Belgium, and listed again for an urgent heart transplant.
Conclusion
With an experienced team, and the proper equipment, on-ECMO air transport of critical patients over thousands of kilometers is today safely feasible.
期刊介绍:
The Egyptian Journal of Critical Care Medicine is the official Journal of the Egyptian College of Critical Care Physicians, the most authoritative organization of Egyptian physicians involved in the multi-professional field of critical care medicine. The journal is intended to provide a peer-reviewed source for multidisciplinary coverage of general acute and intensive care medicine and its various subcategories including cardiac, pulmonary, neuro, renal as well as post-operative care. The journal is proud to have an international multi-professional editorial board in the broad field of critical care that will assist in publishing promising research and breakthrough reports that lead to better patients care in life threatening conditions, and bring the reader a quick access to the latest diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in monitoring and management of critically ill patients.