Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Invited Commentary On: Orthotopic Heart Transplantation In Patients With Metabolic Risk Factors, Nicholas Cavarocchi, Paul Mather

Nicholas C Cavarocchi MDJ

This is invited commentary to the following article: Kilic, A., Conte, J. V., Shah, A. S., & Yuh, D. D. (2012). Orthotopic heart transplantation in patients with metabolic risk factors. Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 93(3), 718-724.

Efficacy Of Miniaturized Imacor Trans-Esophageal Echocardiografm (Tee) Prove In Mechanical Circulatory Support., Hitoshi Hirose, Christopher Y. Kang, Joshua K. Wong, Harrison T. Pitcher, Caitlyn M. Johnson, Konrad Sarosiek, Linda J Bogar, Nicholas C. Cavarocchi

Nicholas C Cavarocchi MDJ

Application of the miniaturized ImaCor Trans-Esophageal Echocardiogram (TEE) probe in Heart Transplant/Mechanical Cardiac Support Patients In the surgical cardiac care unit (SCCU), therapeutic interventions often need to be done at the bedside, necessitating the need for a rapidly employable diagnostic tool for the cardiac intensivist. We report the clinical utility of the miniature ImaCor TEE-probe in guiding management of post heart transplant (H-Txp) and mechanical cardiac support patients (MCS) and describe the economic benefit of such a device. This is an IRB approved retrospective review of MCS/H-Txp patients who had ImaCor TEE monitoring in the SCCU of our institution in …

Vascular Site Hemostasis In Percutaneous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Therapy., Kathleen Lamb, Hitoshi Hirose, Harrsion Pitcher, Nicholas Cavarocchi

Nicholas C Cavarocchi MDJ

Bleeding is a well described complication of percutaneous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support (ECMO). In an effort to prevent ongoing percutaneous-cannula blood loss, we tried multiple methods to achieve hemostasis and have obtained the best results with QuikClot® Combat Gauze TM (Z-Medica Corp, Wallingford, CT). This product is made of kaolin, white alumina silicate clay, which initiates activation of the intrinsic clotting cascade. We reviewed our experience in 21 ECMO patients and found 5 patients who required 17 applications of QuikClot® Combat Gauze TM to percutaneous catheter insertion sites and demonstrated a significant reduction in both localized bleeding complications and the …

Comparison Of Sternal Pain And Narcotic Requirement After Cardiac Surgery Between New Rigid Closure And Conventional Wire Closure: Follow-Up Results Of 50 Randomizations., Jeevan Kuman, Bs, James T. Diehl, Md, Hitoshi Hirose, Md, Phd

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

To investigate if rigid closure reduces sternal pain.

Presented at Chest 2013.Chicago IL.October 26-31, 2013.

Two-Vessel Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting By Left Thoracotomy In A Complex Redo Case, Shinya Unai, Md, Hitoshi Hirose, Md, Phd, Gary A. Cook, Pa-C, Nicholas C. Cavarocchi, Md, John W..C. Entwistle Iii, Md, Phd

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Introduction:

The left thoracotomy approach is an alternative technique for coronary revascularization to avoid complications associated with re-sternotomy, such as injury to patent grafts, right ventricle, aorta, during re-sternotomy. Situations such as calcification of the ascending aorta and previous mediastinitis favor the use of the left thoracotomy approach. Revascularization of the circumflex territory via a lateral thoracotomy has been reported previously. However, reports of revascularization of the LAD combined with circumflex artery territory via left thoracotomy approach are rare. We successfully performed an off-pump CABG by left thoracotomy in a complex redo case to revascularize the LAD and obtuse marginal …

Case Series On Veno - Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (Vv-Ecmo) As A Bridge To Complete Recovery In Influenza Type A Related Refractory Ards, Renganaden Sooppan, Md, Nicholas C. Cavarocchi, Md, Harrsion Pitcher, Md, Qiong Yang, Md, Michael Baram, Md, Hitoshi Hirose, Md, Phd

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Introduction:

Influenza A sequelae range from mild symptoms to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which can be refractory to conventional ventilator therapy. We present a case series of three non-H1N1 Influenza patients with ARDS, who completely recovered after VV-ECMO.

Case Presentation:

In January and February 2013, we experienced three cases of Influenza A induced ARDS that failed conventional ARDS ventilator therapy. All three patients presented with typical flu-like symptoms, which deteriorated over several days, requiring intubation. They were all treated with oseltamivir. They had bilateral chest infiltrates on chest x-rays. After a few days of failing conventional treatment these patients …

Does Skin Pigmentation Effect Readings Of Cerebral Oximeter Devices While On Cardiopulmonary Support?, Christine Feldmeier, Md, Harrsion Pitcher, Md, Qiong Yang, Md, Nicholas C. Cavarocchi, Md, Hitoshi Hirose, Md, Phd

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Introduction:

Cerebral oximetry is utilized as a non-invasive method to ensure adequate cerebral perfusion. In a review of our clinical experience, it was noted that there were consistent inaccurate values from normal utilizing relative (INVOS, Covidien, Mansfield, MA) cerebral oximetry as opposed to absolute (FORESIGHT, CAS medical, Branford, CT) cerebral oximetry in darker skin patients.

Presented 24th Annual ELSO Conference. Philadelphia, PA. Sep 19-21, 2013.

Reactive Oxygen And Nitrogen Species Induce Protein And Dna Modifications Driving Arthrofibrosis Following Total Knee Arthroplasty., Theresa A Freeman, Javad Parvizi, Craig J Della Valle, Marla J Steinbeck

Theresa A Freeman

BACKGROUND: Arthrofibrosis, occurring in 3%-4% of patients following total knee arthroplasty (TKA), is a challenging condition for which there is no defined cause. The hypothesis for this study was that disregulated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrogen species (RNS) mediates matrix protein and DNA modifications, which result in excessive fibroblastic proliferation.

RESULTS: We found increased numbers of macrophages and lymphocytes, along with elevated amounts of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in arthrofibrotic tissues when compared to control tissues. MPO expression, an enzyme that generates ROS/RNS, is usually limited to neutrophils and some macrophages, but was found by immunohistochemistry to be expressed …

A Cost Reducing Ecmo Model: A Single Institutional Experience., En Yaw Hong, Suzanne Wallace, Amy Tropea, Jaime Byrne, Msn, Rn, Hitoshi Hirose, Md, Phd, Harrsion Pitcher, Md, Nicholas C. Cavarocchi, Md

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Background: The demand for ECMO support has grown. Its provision remains limited due to several factors (high cost, complicated technology, lack of expertise) which increase healthcare cost. Our goal was to assess if an ICU run ECMO model (without continuous bedside perfusion) would decrease costs while maintaining patient safety and outcomes.

Method: We performed a retrospective review that analyzed the cost and safety benefits of a newly implemented ICU-run ECMO unit from 2011-2012. The program consisted of a dedicated ICU involving multidisciplinary providers (ICU RN, mid-level providers and intensivists). In year one, we introduced an education platform, new technology and …

The Impact Of A New Ecmo Program On Clinical Outcomes Of Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated By Cardiogenic Shock., Shinya Unai, Md, Harrsion Pitcher, Md, Qiong Yang, Md, Nicholas Ruggiero, Md, Hitoshi Hirose, Md, Phd, Nicholas C. Cavarocchi, Md

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Objective:

To investigate if a new ECMO program will improve the outcome of patients who had acute myocardial infarction complicated with cardiogenic shock.

Presented 24th Annual ELSO Conference. Philadelphia, PA. Sep 19-21, 2013.

Mrsa Sepsis And Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome During Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (Ecmo)., Philip Hsiao, Bs, Joseph Miessau, Bs, Harrsion Pitcher, Md, Qiong Yang, Md, Michael Baram, Md, Nicholas C. Cavarocchi, Md, Hitoshi Hirose, Md, Phd

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Presentation:

A 39 year old female African American presented with respiratory distress two days after ERCP for pancreatitis.

The patient quickly deteriorated, required intubation, and developed severe hypotension requiring vasopressors.

VA-ECMO was initiated for ARDS and SIRS due to on-going pancreatitis.

Pre ECMO ABG: PH 7.01, PaCO2 70, PaO2 70 with FiO2 100% with PEEP 15

Profound hypotension, required 2 pressors

Preliminary results of cultures were negative at the time of ECMO placement.

Presented 24th Annual ELSO Conference. Philadelphia, PA. Sep 19-21, 2013.

Left Ventricular Thrombus Found In A Patient With Ards And Stress-Induced Cardiomyopathy Requiring Veno-Arterial Ecmo., Shreya Gupta, Bs, Joseph Miessau, Ms, Harrsion Pitcher, Md, Michael Baram, Md, Nicholas C. Cavarocchi, Md, Hitoshi Hirose, Md, Phd

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Presentation:

68 year-old male with a history of acute leukemia with complete remission after bone marrow transplant 4 months ago, coronary disease s/p LAD stents about 14 years ago with no chronic anti-platelet medication, and repeated episode of DVT despite appropriate anti-coagulation, presented with viral pneumonia (rhinovirus).

Antithrombin Iii Deficiency In A Patient Requiring Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation., Jonathan R. Sarik, Md, Shinya Unai, Md, Harrsion Pitcher, Md, Qiong Yang, Md, Hitoshi Hirose, Md, Phd, Nicholas C. Cavarocchi, Md

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Introduction:

Antithrombin or antithrombin III (ATIII) is a vitamin K-independent, natural anticoagulant that is the major inhibitor of thrombin. With the binding of heparin, a conformational change in antithrombin occurs that increases the inactivation of thrombin by antithrombin by 4000-fold. Antithrombin deficiency can be hereditary or acquired; the acquired form is frequently encountered in patients requiring mechanical circulatory support.

Formulation of clots within the circuit of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life-threatening emergency and requires emergent intervention. Decreased ATIII is associated with a hypercoagulable state, which can lead to dangerous complications for patients requiring mechanical circulatory support.

We Came, We Saw, We Cannulated?, Hitoshi Hirose, Md, Phd, Kumar Gaurav, Md, Nicholas C. Cavarocchi, Md, Vanjul Agarwal, Md, Roselle Almeida, Md, Andrew Toscano, Md, Urvashi Vaid, Md, Ms, Bharat K. Awsare, M.D., Fccp, Michael Baram, Md

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Introduction: Despite advances in management of patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), mortality due to ARDS still remains high. In patients with refractory gas-exchange abnormalities, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is considered as salvage therapy that aims to decrease ventilator induced lung injury and provide lung rest. injury and provide lung rest.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients diagnosed with ARDS from October 2010 to September 2012. The aim of the study was to describe the population of patients placed on ECMO for ARDS in our institution. All patients placed on ARDSnet protocol were identified in the …

Surgical Outcome In Pet-Positive, Mri-Negative Patients With Temporal Lobe Epilepsy, Carla Lopinto-Khoury, Michael R. Sperling, Christopher Skidmore, Maromi Nei, James Evans, Ashwini Sharan, Scott Mintzer

maromi nei

PURPOSE: Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission computed tomography (FDG-PET) hypometabolism is important for surgical planning in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), but its significance remains unclear in patients who do not have evidence of mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We examined surgical outcomes in a group of PET-positive, MRI-negative patients and compared them with those of patients with MTS. METHODS: We queried the Thomas Jefferson University Surgical Epilepsy Database for patients who underwent anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) from 1991 to 2009 and who had unilateral temporal PET hypometabolism without an epileptogenic lesion on MRI (PET+/MRI-). We compared …

Assessment Of Nutritional Adequacy In Patients On Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation., Hitoshi Hirose, Md, Phd, Joseph Miessau, Pa-C, Evanthia Foliou, Rd, Pawel Karbowski, Pa-C, Ms, Melanie K. Sion, Md, Christine Feldmeier, Md

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Introduction: Nutrition is a key element of recovery from the state of critical illness. Little is known about nutritional adequacy in patients supported on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for severe cardio-respiratory dysfunction. A study was performed whether or not early nutrition support improve outcomes of the patients on ECMO.

Methods: A retrospective IRB approved review was conducted of all patients supported on ECMO from 7/10 to 6/12. The patients were divided into 2 groups, survivors and non-survivors. Age, sex, preoperative comorbidities, type and duration of ECMO, day to initiation and goal feeding, caloric intake, weekly biomarkers (pre-albumin, albumin, …