Piotr Buczkowski

Customization of a patient simulator for ECMO training

Background: Poland is setting up its first regional ECMO program and relies heavily on the use of simulation in testing processes and training clinicians.1 As ECMO is a complex and expensive procedure, we developed an advanced ECMO simulator for high-fidelity medical simulation training.2–6 It can be used to modify any type of full-body patient simulator and allows for the creation of an unlimited number of scenarios. Methods: The system is equipped with an electronic core control unit (CCU) (Figure 1), a set of synthetic valves, pressure sensors, and hydraulic pumps. The major functions of the CCU are to stabilize the hydraulic system (flow of simulated blood, differential pressures in the arterial and venous lines), providing instant information about the system to the user via a display. Electric valves and sensors provide ‘on-the-fly’ information to the CCU about the actual systems status and it can be made to respond to specific instructions imitating the physiological circulatory system and simulating several scenarios (i.e. bleeding, low pressure, occlusion, reaction to proper and incorrect pharmacological treatment). It can be connected to an ECMO machine to act like the human body during ECMO run. Silicone tubes (modified polyethylene) that can be realistically cannulated using ultrasound imaging represent the artificial vessels. The CCU is made of electronic components that can be integrated to customize any mannequin as shown in Figure 1. The hardware includes both digital and analogue components that are controlled by a software run on a computer connected to the CCU via a serial port (RS232) (Figure 2). The software allows for the visualization of measurements obtained from the sensors and the control of the pumps and valves via electronic controllers. The controllers affect the ECMO circuit simulated blood flow, and hence the readings from the ECMO machine sensors, to recreate various clinical scenarios.Figure 1. The modified patient simulator with circulatory loop prepared for VA ECMO cannulation and CCU (core control unit) for high-fidelity simulations. Figure 2. The ECMO simulator architecture. Results: Every component used can be easily replaced. The total cost of the simulator modification, excluding the cost of the computer or future mobile device, is approximately 200 USD, and the consumable parts cost about 20 USD. It has been used to help simulate successfully a range of scenarios.1 Although the system is currently tethered, the next prototype will include a wireless controller so that the system can be controlled from a mobile application. Conclusions: This advanced simulator allows for unlimited possibilities with regard to creating clinical scenarios. Our ambition is to become a reference ECMO training center in Poland so that our high-fidelity ECMO simulator can be used to its full potential and for the benefit of more clinicians and their patients around Poland.

Seizures after Heart Transplantation – Two Cases of Non-Immunosuppressant Drug Interactions in Young Patients

BACKGROUND Neurological complications occur in 30-80% of patients following heart transplantation, and seizures account for 2-20% of these sequelae. The main risk factors are toxicity due to immunosuppression, infections, and brain lesions. We present 2 cases of grand mal type attacks that occurred on the 7th and 15th postoperative days. The origin of the attacks was an unusual interaction between 2 non-immunosuppressive drugs (metoclopramide and theophylline). CASE REPORT We present 2 cases of seizure episodes during the early postoperative period in young heart transplant recipients (a 26-year-old female and a 33-year-old man). Grand mal type attacks occurred on the 7th and 15th postoperative day, respectively. Both patients were treated with standard triple immunosuppressive therapy including tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and steroids. Therapy with metoclopramide was started because the patients reported gastrointestinal disturbances. Theophylline was administered due to postoperative bradycardia. Serum theophylline levels were 33 and 34 mcg/ml, respectively. There were no neurological deficits noticed thereafter. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was negative for stroke and central nervous system infection in both cases. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that theophylline overdose combined with metoclopramide may provoke new-onset seizures, especially in young patients following heart transplantation.

Using simulation to create a unique regional ECMO program for the Greater Poland region

Background: “ECMO for Greater Poland” is a program being developed to serve the 3.5 million inhabitants of the Greater Poland region (Wielkopolska) based on an approach already implemented in the USA1 or Qatar.2,3Method: The program is complex and takes full advantage of the ECMO perfusion therapy opportunities to save the life of patients in the Greater Poland region. The main implementation areas are: – treatment of patients with hypothermia;4 – treatment of reversible severe respiratory failure;5 – treatment of acute intoxication resulting in cardiorespiratory failure6 or other critical conditions resulting in heart failure; – in the absence of response to treatment and eventual death, and with donor authorization, there is possible organ transplantation from a non-heart beating donor (NHBD) to another patient.7 This led to the development of a program for donation after circulatory death (DCD). Study: The program will help to put in place a Medical Rescue System including ECMO (Figure 1). It requires training in specialized resuscitation, perfusion, and transplantation teams in the implementation of this “ECMO rescue chain”. The main strength of the program is the widespread use of extracorporeal perfusion. All program arms in the use of ECMO should be implemented in parallel to maximize its positive impact.Figure 1. Organizational model of “ECMO for Greater Poland” – “ECMO rescue chain” scheme divided into three stages: prehospital, hospital/perfusion, and transplantation. As this organizational model is complex and expensive, we used high-fidelity medical simulation to prepare for the real-life implementation of our ECMO program. During 4 months, we performed scenarios including: – “ECMO for DCD” which includes: prehospital identification, CPR ALS (cardiopulmonary resuscitation advanced life support), perfusion therapy (CPR-ECMO or DCD-ECMO), inclusion and exclusion criteria matching, mechanical chest compression, transport, DCD confirmation, and donor authorization, the veno-arterial (VA) cannulation of a mannequins artificial vessels, and starting on-scene organ perfusion.7 – “ECMO for INTOXICATION” which includes: hospital identification (Department of Toxicology), poisoning treatment, CPR ALS, mechanical chest compression, VA cannulation, for the implementation of ECMO therapy and transport to another hospital (Department of Cardiac Surgery).6 – “ECMO for RRF” (reversible respiratory failure) which includes: hospital identification (Regional Department of Intensive Care) – inclusion and exclusion criteria matching, ECMO team transport (80 km), therapy confirmation, veno-venous cannulation for the implementation of perfusion therapy, and return transport (80 km) with ECMO to another hospital in a provincial city (Clinical Department of Intensive Care), where the veno-venous (VV) ECMO therapy was continued for the next 48 hours.5 The training programs, in a short time, resulted in a team being appropriately trained to successfully undertake the complex procedures. Soon after these simulations, Maastricht category II DCD procedures were performed involving real patients and resulting in two double successful kidney transplantations, for the first time in Poland. One month later, we treated two hypothermia patients and, for the first time in the region, also treated on ECMO an adult patient with reversible respiratory failure. Conclusions: The “ECMO for Greater Poland” program will allow the use of perfusion therapy for the inhabitants of Wielkopolska in a comprehensive manner, covering all critical disease states, by what appears to be a unique regional program in Poland. The full-scale, high-fidelity simulation enabled standardized training and testing of new, commonly, and rarely used procedures, and facilitated clinicians’ skills development.

High-fidelity simulation — the first DCD-ECMO procedure in Poland

Mateusz Puslecki, Marcin Ligowski, Marek Dabrowski, Maciej Sip, Sebastian Stefaniak, Tomasz Klosiewicz, Lukasz Gasiorowski, Marek Karczewski, Tomasz Malkiewicz, Malgorzata Ladzinska, Marcin Zielinski, Aleksander Pawlak, Agata Dabrowska, Piotr Ziemak, Bartlomiej Perek, Marcin Misterski, Slawomir Katarzynski, Piotr Buczkowski, Wojciech Telec, Ilona Kiel-Puslecka, Michal Kiel, Michael Czekajlo, Marek Jemielity Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Department of Cardiac Surgery and Transplantology, Clinical Hospital SKPP, Poznan, Poland Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Department of Rescue and Disaster Medicine, Poznan, Poland Polish Society of Medical Simulation, Poland Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Center for Medical Simulation, Poznan, Poland Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Department of Intensive Care and Pain Treatment, Poznan, Poland Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Department of Transplantology, General, Vascular and Plastic Surgery, Poznan, Poland Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Clinical Hospital H. Święcickiego, Poznan, Poland Voivodeship Emergency Medical Services, Poznan, Poland Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Department of Palliative Medicine, Poznan, Poland ZF RTW, Częstochowa, Poland Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, Department of Surgery, Richmond, United States of America Lublin Medical University, Lublin, Poland

Balloon aortic valvuloplasty--ups and downs--are we facing a procedure comeback?

BACKGROUND Recently, there has been renewed interest in balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV). AIM To analyse the indications and short-term outcome of BAV since transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) was launched in our institution. METHODS Between September 2010 and September 2014, 25 consecutive patients (19 female, 6 male) underwent BAV. The mean age was 72 ± 11.4 years, mean EuroScore II was 10.4 ± 11.7%, mean logistic EuroScore 23.5 ± 23.6%, mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons mortality risk score was 21.8 ± 13.6%. The indications for BAV were: advanced haemodynamically unstable heart failure (HF) including cardiogenic shock or pulmonary oedema (n = 7), co-morbidities requiring urgent non-cardiac surgery (n = 8), palliative treatment (n = 6), and an intention to bridge to TAVI or aortic valve replacement in patients with severe HF (n = 4). RESULTS In-hospital mortality was 20% (n = 5) and occurred in patients who underwent BAV in the setting of haemodynamically unstable HF. Other major complications included pacemaker implantation (n = 2), major vascular complications (n = 4), and cardiac tamponade (n = 1). There were no patients who required conversion to cardiac surgery. The mean peak aortic transvalvular gradient decreased from 96.9 ± 29.5 to 60.3 ± 15.5 mm Hg (p = 0.0001) after BAV. We did not observe significant aortic regurgitation. CONCLUSIONS Treatment of advanced and haemodynamically unstable aortic stenosis, bridge to non-cardiac surgery and palliative therapy are the main reasons for BAV in recent years. BAV as a bridge to TAVI or aortic valve replacement may be an option for some patients. Short-term results are good with relatively low mortality and morbidity related to the procedure. Mortality in haemodynamically unstable patients presenting with cardiogenic shock or pulmonary oedema treated with BAV is very high.

Closure of ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva using a native aortic valve leaflet.

We present a case of the native valve used to complete closure of a ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva. Aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva is rare and a non-coronary artery is affected in only 20% of cases. To close the rupture, we decided to use a non-coronary leaflet in a young patient with moderate aortic stenosis and fibrosis of the leaflets. In our opinion, use of a native non-coronary valve leaflet should be considered when making intra-operative decisions for repair of non-coronary aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva.

Computer tomography guided transthoracic periaortic abscess needle biopsy in late mediastinitis after heart surgery

Mediastinitis is a well-known complication of open heart surgery. Abscess as late complication, presenting years after heart surgery, is adegnotical. Transthoracic needle biopsies of lung parenchyma guided by computer tomography are widely accepted. The puncture of periaortic masses is not routinely performed. We report the case of an encapsulated mediastinal abscess localized next to ascending vascular graft. The febrile 47-year-old white male patient with history of Bentall operation was admitted to Cardiac Surgery Department. He was transferred for urgent chest tomography after International Normalization Ratio was reversed by prothrombin complex concentrate. Tomography revealed 7 × 5 × 4 cm mass between the sternum and ascending aorta, that was punctured by the needle. After biopsy specimen was sent for microbiology, the patient was transferred for surgery. There was no vascular graft invasion by the mass. The surgery was limited to abscess removal with postoperative drainage of periaortic area. The 6-week antibiotic therapy was applied. Patient recovered uneventfully.

Preoperative blood morphology and incidence of acute kidney injury after on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting – a single-center preliminary report

Introduction Acute kidney injury (AKI) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) performed in cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) may complicate the postoperative course and has a negative impact on outcome. In some cases, postoperative AKI develops in spite of normal baseline creatinine concentration and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Aim To examine whether there is any association between the preoperative blood morphology and incidence of post-operative AKI. Material and methods The study involved 62 consecutive patients with the mean age of 64.0 ±7.4 years who underwent CABG in CPB. Before surgery, blood morphology and biochemistry were analyzed. Patients with eGFR below 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 were excluded. After the operation, parameters of renal function were checked systematically. Acute kidney injury was defined according to the Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) classification. Results Twenty-one (33.9%) patients presented AKI (group AKI), although in the majority of them (n = 16) it was temporary and medical management was enough to cure AKI. Only in 1 (1.6%) case was renal replacement therapy necessary. In group AKI, patients’ preoperative hemoglobin concentration (8.46 ±0.72 mM/l), red blood cell count (4.51 ±0.39 × 1012/l) and hematocrit (0.40 ±0.04) were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than in group C (9.07 ±0.57 mM/l; 4.78 ±0.36 × 1012/l; 0.43 ±0.03, respectively). Interestingly, the baseline parameters of renal function were comparable between groups. Conclusions Hemoglobin concentration and red blood cell counts close to the lower limit of the normal range may enable identification of patients at risk of AKI early after CABG in CPB among individuals with normal preoperative biochemical parameters of renal function.

An innovative panel to assess endothelial integrity of pedicled and skeletonized internal thoracic artery used as aortocoronary bypass graft: a randomized comparative histologic and immunohistochemical study

Background Optimal preservation of endothelial integrity of the vessels used as aortocoronary grafts is a crucial determinant of long-term clinical success of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The purpose of this study was to evaluate an impact of two common techniques to harvest left internal thoracic artery (LITA) on endothelial integrity. Methods One hundred twenty consecutive patients (84 males and 36 females) with a mean age of 64.9±8.8 years undergoing CABG were randomized to receive pedicled (group P; n=60) or skeletonized (group S; n=60) LITA grafts. During surgery LITA was harvested by the same experienced cardiac surgeon. The most peripheral surplus segments of LITA were obtained and then analysed histologically under light microscope. Additionally, endothelial expression of CD31, CD34, CD133 and nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were evaluated by means of immunohistochemistry. Results In both groups, no cases of major arterial wall damage such as disruption, dissection, thrombosis or subadventitial hematoma were noted on LITA cross sections. Immunohistochemical assessment of protein expression revealed no differences in endothelial expression of CD133, CD34 antigens (markers of regeneration potential) and eNOS (indicating preserved functional integrity) between studied groups. Contrary to them, endothelial immunoreactivity of CD31, a marker of the morphological integrity of the endothelium, was revealed to be stronger in group P. Conclusions The skeletonized method of LITA harvesting may be associated with worse preservation of morphological integrity of endothelium but without compromising functional integrity and potential for tissue regeneration.

Transapical aortic valve implantation using a Symetis Acurate self-expandable bioprosthesis: initial outcomes of 10 patients

Introduction Transapical aortic valve implantation (TA-AVI) has been widely introduced for treatment of patients with severe aortic stenosis in the last decade. Here we report our first clinical experience with 10 patients using the second-generation transapical Symetis Acurate TA aortic valve designed for transapical implantation. Aim To evaluate the results of transapical access in transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) among patients with unsuitable vascular access. Material and methods All patients had been assessed by a local heart team and were disqualified from surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) and the transfemoral TAVI approach. Mean age was 75.4 ±3.9 years (range: 68–80), with 20% being female. Logistic EuroSCORE (European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation) and STS (Society of Thoracic Surgeons) were 15.4 ±8.9% and 20.5 ±4.5%, respectively. Results All implantations were performed successfully in the intra-annular and subcoronary position. There were no conversions to surgical AVR. All patients survived 30-day follow-up. No strokes or transient ischemic attacks were reported. There was no need for pacemaker implantation and none of the patients demonstrated moderate or significant paravalvular leakage. The mean aortic gradients improved significantly from a baseline of 57.0 ±19.2 mm Hg to a 30-day value of 14.2 ±4.1 mm Hg. Conclusions Our initial clinical results indicate satisfactory functionality in patients after trans-apical implantation of the Symetis Acurate aortic valve. The procedure of implantation seems to be straightforward and may be considered in patients in whom a transfemoral approach is not a good option.