Percutaneous cardiopulmonary support with heparin-coated circuits in postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock

Abstract

Objective: Percutaneous cardiopulmonary support, a simplified form of venoarterial bypass, using totally heparin-coated circuits, has
recently come into clinical use. To clarify its efficacy in postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock to aid weaning from cardiopulmonary
bypass, we compared results of percutaneous cardiopulmonary support with those of left heart bypass using a centrifugal pump.Methods: We reviewed 18 patients treated between 1991 and 1998 who could not be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass. Nine were aided
by totally heparin-coated percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS group), and 9 supported by left heart bypass using a
centrifugal pump (LHB group). In both groups, activated clotting time was controlled at 150–200 seconds using minimal doses
of heparin as needed.Results: Weaning and survival rates were higher in the PCPS group than in the LHB group (100% vs 55.6%, and 66.7% vs 22.2%). The PCPS
group had a smaller amount of blood loss and needed a smaller amount of blood components in the immediate postoperative period.
One percutaneous cardiopulmonary support patient required surgical re-exploration for postoperative bleeding (11.1%), but
no clinical thromboembolic event occurred in the PCPS group. In the LHB group, 5 patients underwent surgical re-exploration
for postoperative bleeding (55.6%), and 2 underwent thrombus extirpation in the left ventricle (22.2%).Conclusions: Although this study was retrospective and historical backgrounds could have been involved, our data suggest that totally
heparin-coated percutaneous cardiopulmonary support system appears more effective as an aid to weaning from cardiopulmonary
bypass and in short-term circulatory support for patients in postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock.

Key wordsheparin-coated circuits–percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS)–postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock–assisted circulation