Cannulation-related complications are a known source of morbidity in patients supported on veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). Despite its prevalence, little is known regarding the outcomes of patients who suffer such complications. This is a single institution review of cannulation-related complications and its effect on mortality in patients supported on VA-ECMO from January 2010-2015 using three cannulation strategies: axillary, femoral, and central. Complications were defined as advanced if they required major interventions (fasciotomy, amputation, site conversion). Patients were divided into two groups (complication present vs. not present) and Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to determine any differences in their survival distributions. There were 103 patients supported on VA-ECMO: 41 (40%), 36 (35%), and 26 (25%) were cannulated via axillary, femoral, and central access, respectively. Cannulation-related complications occurred in 33 (32%) patients and this did not differ significantly between either axillary (34%), femoral (36%), or central (23%) strategies (P = 0.52). The most common complications encountered were hemorrhage and limb ischemia in 19 (18%) and 11 (11%) patients. Hemorrhagic complications did not differ between groups (P = 0.37), while limb ischemia and hyperperfusion were significantly associated with femoral and axillary cannulation, at a rate of 25% (P < 0.01) and 15% (P = 0.01), respectively. There was no difference in the incidence of advanced complications between cannulation groups: axillary (12%) vs. femoral (14%) vs. central (8%; P = 0.75). In addition, no increase in mortality was noted in patients who developed a cannulation-related complication by Kaplan-Meier estimates (P = 0.37). Cannulation-related complications affect a significant proportion of patients supported on VA-ECMO but do not differ in incidence between different cannulation strategies and do not affect patient mortality. Improved efforts at preventing these complications need to be developed to avoid the additional morbidity in an already critical patient population.

The duration of cortical isoelectric states seems related to neurodevelopmental outcomes. Strategies using continuous EEG monitoring to minimize isoelectric states may be useful during complex congenital heart surgery.

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Objective Right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) reconstruction necessitates frequent reoperation. To understand the early outcomes, we analyzed our results to provide the intra‐ and postoperative morbidity and mortality. We hypothesized that multiple previous sternotomies do not influence the morbidity, mortality, or survival. Design We performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent reoperative RVOT reconstruction at the University of Rochester Medical Center and SUNY Upstate Medical Center from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2009. Patients were divided into three groups based upon the number of previous sternotomies: Group 1 with one, Group 2 with two, and Group 3 with three or more previous sternotomies. Results 220 patients had reoperative RVOT reconstruction, 103 in Group 1, 71 in Group 2, and 46 in Group 3. There was no difference in the percentage of inadvertent cardiotomy between groups (Group 1: 2%, Group 2: 1%, Group 3: 2%; P =.9) The number of previous sternotomies had no effect upon infection, arrhythmia, or the percentage of patients who received a red blood cell transfusion (Group 1: 56%, Group 2: 49% Group 3: 43%; P =.3). Perioperative mortality for the entire group was 3/220 (1.4%), with no difference between groups. At a mean follow‐up of 39 months, there was a survival of 98% for Groups 1 and 3 and 97% for Group 2 (P =.7). Conclusion Reoperative RVOT reconstruction can safely be performed with limited morbidity and mortality. The number of previous sternotomies does not influence the rate of cardiotomy, red blood cell transfusion, or early outcome.

Bi-ventricular (Bi-V) mechanical circulatory support is commonly used as a bridge to cardiac transplant. However, the optimal strategy is unknown. We examined the outcomes, as well as the costs in the use of Bi-V support as a bridge to cardiac transplant. From 2001 to 2014, three different Bi-V support strategies were utilized: 1) Para-corporeal ventricular assist device (PVAD-2001-2006), 2) Heartmate II left ventricular assist device in conjunction with a temporary CentriMag right ventricular assist device (HMII + CMAG-2006-2012), and the total artificial heart (TAH-2012-2014). Total costs were derived from the hospitalization at implant, and postimplant costs defined as equipment and re-hospitalizations before transplantation. Sixty-five (34 PVADs, 20 HMII + CMAG, and 11 TAHs) devices were used as a bridge for transplant. There were no differences in implant variables including age, INTERMACS score, or implant length of stay. Although the wait list mortality was not different between groups (PVAD-32%, HMII + CMAG-45%, TAH-54%; p = 0.3), the percentage of patients transplanted were highest in the PVAD group: (PVAD-55.8%, HMII + CMAG-30.0%, TAH-18.2%; p = 0.01). Total costs were not significantly different between groups (PVAD-$306,166 ± 247,839, HMII + CMAG-$278,958 ± 135,324, TAH-$321,387 ± 21,2477; p = 0.5). Despite variations in therapy, outcomes and costs for patients requiring Bi-V support as a bridge to cardiac transplant have remained constant.