Percutaneous oxygenated right ventricular assist device for pulmonary embolism: A case series

Mechanical Circulatory Support Devices in Patients with High-Risk Pulmonary Embolism

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common acute cardiovascular condition. Within this review, we discuss the incidence, pathophysiology, and treatment options for patients with high-risk and massive pulmonary embolisms. In particular, we focus on the role of mechanical circulatory support devices and their possible therapeutic benefits in patients who are unresponsive to standard therapeutic options. Moreover, attention is given to device selection criteria, weaning protocols, and complication mitigation strategies. Finally, we underscore the necessity for more comprehensive studies to corroborate the benefits and safety of MCS devices in PE management.

Right Ventricular Assist Device With an Oxygenator for the Management of Combined Right Ventricular and Respiratory Failure: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Severe lung disease frequently presents with both refractory hypoxemia and right ventricular (RV) failure. Right ventricular assist device with an oxygenator (OxyRVAD) is an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) configuration of RV bypass that also supplements gas exchange. This systematic review summarises the available literature regarding the use of OxyRVAD in the setting of severe lung disease with associated RV failure.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar were queried on September 27, 2023, for articles describing the use of an OxyRVAD configuration. The main outcome of interest was survival to intensive care unit (ICU) discharge. Data on the duration of OxyRVAD support and device-related complications were also recorded.

RESULTS

Out of 475 identified articles, 33 were retained for analysis. Twenty-one articles were case reports, and 12 were case series, representing a total of 103 patients. No article provided a comparison group. Most patients (76.4%) were moved to OxyRVAD from another type of mechanical support. OxyRVAD was used as a bridge to transplant or curative surgery in 37.4% and as a bridge to recovery or decision in 62.6%. Thirty-one patients (30.1%) were managed with the dedicated single-access dual-lumen ProtekDuo cannula. Median time on OxyRVAD was 12 days (interquartile range 8-23 days), and survival to ICU discharge was 63.9%. Device-related complications were infrequently reported.

CONCLUSION

OxyRVAD support is a promising alternative for RV support when gas exchange is compromised, with good ICU survival in selected cases. Comparative analyses in patients with RV failure with and without severe lung disease are needed.

Medical and Mechanical Circulatory Support of the Failing Right Ventricle

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To describe medical therapies and mechanical circulatory support devices used in the treatment of acute right ventricular failure.

RECENT FINDINGS

Experts have proposed several algorithms providing a stepwise approach to medical optimization of acute right ventricular failure including tailored volume administration, ideal vasopressor selection to support coronary perfusion, inotropes to restore contractility, and pulmonary vasodilators to improve afterload. Studies have investigated various percutaneous and surgically implanted right ventricular assist devices in several clinical settings. The initial management of acute right ventricular failure is often guided by invasive hemodynamic data tracking parameters of circulatory function with the use of pharmacologic therapies. Percutaneous microaxial and centrifugal extracorporeal pumps bypass the failing RV and support circulatory function in severe cases of right ventricular failure.

The Roles of Venopulmonary Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

OBJECTIVES

Concise definitive review of the use of venopulmonary arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-PA ECMO) support in patients with cardiopulmonary failure.

DATA SOURCES

Original investigations identified through a PubMed search with search terms "percutaneous right ventricular assist device," "oxy-RVAD," "V-PA ECMO," and "veno-pulmonary arterial ECMO" were reviewed and evaluated for relevance.

STUDY SELECTION

Studies that included more than three patients supported with V-PA ECMO were included.

DATA EXTRACTION

Clinically relevant data from included studies, including patient-important outcomes, were summarized and discussed.

DATA SYNTHESIS

We identified four groups of patients where V-PA ECMO has been studied: acute respiratory distress syndrome, right ventricular dysfunction after left ventricular assist device placement, bridge to lung transplantation, and pulmonary embolism. Most identified works are small, single center, and retrospective in nature, precluding definitive conclusions regarding the efficacy of V-PA ECMO. There have been no clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of V-PA ECMO for any indication.

CONCLUSIONS

V-PA ECMO is a promising form of extracorporeal support for patients with right ventricular dysfunction. Future work should focus on identifying the optimal timing and populations for the use of V-PA ECMO.

Mechanical Support Strategies for High-Risk Procedures in the Invasive Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory: A State-of-the-Art Review

Thanks to advancements in percutaneous cardiac interventions, an expanding patient population now qualifies for treatment through percutaneous endovascular procedures. High-risk interventions far exceed coronary interventions and include transcatheter aortic valve replacement, endovascular management of acute pulmonary embolism and ventricular tachycardia ablation. Given the frequent impairment of ventricular function in these patients, frequently deteriorating during percutaneous interventions, it is hypothesized that mechanical ventricular support may improve periprocedural survival and subsequently patient outcome. In this narrative review, we aimed to provide the relevant evidence found for the clinical use of percutaneous mechanical circulatory support (pMCS). We searched the Pubmed database for articles related to pMCS and to pMCS and invasive cath lab procedures. The articles and their references were evaluated for relevance. We provide an overview of the clinically relevant evidence for intra-aortic balloon pump, Impella, TandemHeart and ECMO and their role as pMCS in high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention, transcatheter valvular procedures, ablations and high-risk pulmonary embolism. We found that the right choice of periprocedural pMCS could provide a solution for the hemodynamic challenges during these procedures. However, to enhance the understanding of the safety and effectiveness of pMCS devices in an often high-risk population, more randomized research is needed.

Standardized nomenclature for peripheral percutaneous cannulation of the pulmonary artery in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: Current uptake and recommendations for improvement

The rising application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has emphasized the need for consistent and standardized terminology, especially concerning peripheral percutaneous cannulation of the pulmonary artery (PPC-PA). The Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) Nomenclature Task Force produced the ELSO Maastricht Treaty for extracorporeal life support (ECLS) Nomenclature to address this challenge. However, adherence to nomenclature recommendations has been poor in publications describing PPC-PA. We aim to describe common nomenclature errors and provide a user-guide for abbreviations that can be used by authors, reviewers, and journal staff to ensure properadherence to standardized nomenclature in publications describing PPC-PA.