Background: Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) has been shown to be a viable and effective treatment for patients suffering from refractory cardiogenic shock (rCS), which is associated with high mortality rates. Although ECMO therapy used as short-term mechanical circulatory support (MCS) has shown tremendous growth in its application over the past decade, the complication and mortality rates remain high. This retrospective study analyzes complications associated with VA-ECMO support, evaluates the use of defined protocols at a single center, and examines factors that may contribute to patient complication and mortality. Methods: This retrospective analysis included 184 patients who were supported with ECMO from September 2014 through March 2018 at Integris Baptist Medical Center (IBMC). Descriptive statistics were generated to analyze baseline characteristics, demographics, complications, and outcomes. Results: Acute myocardial infarct (AMI) was the primary etiology of this cohort (N=40; 22%). The mean age was 55±15 (median 56, range 15-84) years. All patients were inotrope and/or vasopressor dependent prior to ECMO initiation. Mean time on ECMO support was 7.8±7.9 days with median time of 6 days. Total patient days on support were 1,430. Most ECMO cannulations, 97 (52%) were performed within Integris Baptist Medical Center, with 48% done outside the hospital; 38% were performed outside of the hospital by the IBMC ECMO team, and 10.5% were performed by an outside team. Bleeding was noted to be the most common VA ECMO complication [N=41; 22.3%; 0.028 events per patient day (EPPD)]. Conclusions: A dedicated 24/7 ECMO service using a multidisciplinary team (MDT) and defined protocols in a single center is able to effectively reduce complications due to VA-ECMO support in the sickest of the sick VA-ECMO patients.

In patients undergoing LER, cilostazol use was associated with improved 1-year freedom from amputation. Patients with renal failure and diabetes also demonstrated a significant benefit from taking cilostazol. Further studies are needed to evaluate the benefits of cilostazol after LER.

Objectives: Cilostazol, an antiplatelet agent with vasodilating properties, has not been well evaluated in conjunction lower extremity revascularization (LER). We evaluated the association between cilostazol and limb salvage after endovascular (ENDO) or open surgery (OPEN) for lower extremity revascularization (LER). Methods: Patients aged $65 years undergoing LER were identified from 2007 to 2008 MedPAR files using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision codes. Demographics, comorbidities, and disease severity were obtained. Postprocedural use of cilostazol was identified using National Drug Codes and Part

The objective of this study was to investigate if the insurance status of patients impacted the treatment options and prognosis in acute limb ischemia (ALI). A retrospective chart review was performed at a single university tertiary care center using ICD-9 codes for the diagnosis and procedure for ALI from January 2000 to January 2011. A total of 96 patients were diagnosed with ALI, comprising of 66 males and 30 females with a mean age of 56 years (range was 19-80 years). Time to presentation and prognosis (rate and level of amputation) were analyzed using insurance status as the independent variable. Patients covered under commercial insurance were compared to patients with Medicare and Medicaid and to patients without any insurance coverage. Statistical analysis was performed using the proportion z test to evaluate differences among the groups investigated. A "p" value of ≤0.05 was considered significant. In this study, ALI occurred more commonly in African Americans (p = 0.0029) and in patients without insurance coverage regardless of race (p = 0.0034). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), hypertension (HTN), and acute renal failure (ARF) were significantly higher in the uninsured group, compared to the insured group (p = 0.0005, 0.0055, and 0.0034, respectively). The time to hospital admission was significantly longer in uninsured patients compared to the insured group (p = 0.0449). The rates of major amputation above the ankle were 46% in patients with commercial insurance, 62% in the government insurance (Medicare and Medicaid) group, and 51% in the uninsured group. There was no significant difference in major versus minor amputation in patients with commercial insurances. However, the rates of major amputation were significantly higher than the rates of minor amputation in both Medicare and Medicaid and uninsured patients (p = 0.005, and <0.0001, respectively). With respect to acute lower limb ischemia, African Americans presented more frequently and were more likely to be uninsured. The incidences of COPD, HTN, and ARF were significantly higher in uninsured patients. The majority of the amputations in Medicare and Medicaid * Corresponding author. S. Premaratne et al. 219 and uninsured populations were likely above the ankle. Results suggest that government insurance coverage does not prevent major amputation in patients with ALI.

No abstract