TAKAYUKI NISHIGAKI

Introduction: A survey was conducted on the quantity of infusion pumps and syringe pumps owned by medical institutions employing clinical engineers, along with reference indices. <br>Methods: The survey was carried out between April 15 and July 30, 2022. A total of 11 items were surveyed, including pump quantities. Medical institutions were categorized into hospitals and clinics, and the correlation with the number of units owned per bed was examined. Descriptive statistics served as reference indices. <br>Results: The average number of pumps per bed was 0.39 for infusion pumps and 0.27 for syringe pumps, with the pump quantity rising in proportion to the number of beds. The most frequently utilized reference indices for determining the number of owned units were the operating ratio and the maximum number of units in use, in that sequence. However, there was variation in the calculation formula for the operating ratio among medical institutions. <br>Conclusion: The quantity of infusion pumps and syringe pumps owned was ascertained using foundational data, which, for the first time, incorporated indicators beyond the operating ratio.

It currently remains unclear whether stroke volume variation (SVV) before hemodialysis (HD) is an independent predictor of decreased blood pressure (BP) during HD. Fifty-two patients were divided into two groups (Decreased BP during HD group: N = 10, Non-decreased BP group: N = 42). Fractional shortening was lower, and mean arterial pressure (MAP) and SVV were higher in the Decreased BP during HD group. A multiple logistic regression analysis identified low fractional shortening, high MAP, and high SVV as independent predictors of decreased BP during HD. The areas under the ROC curves were as follows: 0.849 for MAP, 0.712 for SVV, and 0.893 for MAP and SVV. Optimal threshold values were 93.0 mm Hg for MAP and 17.3 % for SVV. A multivariate regression analysis identified anemia and a longer dialysis vintage as independently related factors for higher SVV. Our results suggest that high SVV is an independent predictor for decreased BP during HD.

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a new pediatric extra-corporeal life support (ECLS) system (Endumo 2000, Heiwa Bussan, Tokyo, Japan) for postoperative management after the Norwood operation. Thirty-three consecutive patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome or its variant undergoing the Norwood operation between August 2007 and December 2013 were divided into two groups according to available ECLS devices. Before November 2009, pediatric Emersave (TERUMO, Saitama, Japan) was employed as the ECLS device, and 14 patients were operated on during this period (Emersave era: 7 boys; 2.9 kg). After December 2009, Endumo 2000 was employed and 19 patients were operated on (Endumo era: 8 boys, 3.1 kg). The demographic characteristics of both groups showed no significant differences. ECLS was initiated in 7 of 14 patients (50%) during the Emersave era and 7 of 19 patients (37%) during the Endumo era (p = 0.45). Chest reentry for hemostasis during ECLS support was more frequently needed in patients supported by Emersave (5/7) than Endumo (1/7) (p = 0.03). The first ECLS circuit durability of Endumo was significantly longer than that of Emersave (p = 0.01). The survival at discharge rate in patients required ECLS was 0% (0/7) when supported by Emersave, but 57% (4/7) by Endumo (p = 0.02). As a result, the survival at discharge rate was 43% (6/14) in the Emersave era and 79% (14/19) in the Endumo era (p = 0.03). Longer durability and superior antithrombogenicity of the Endumo 2000 contributed to the improvement of surgical outcomes after the Norwood operation.

A 5-year-old girl with right atrial isomerism, complete atrioventricular septal defect, hypoplastic left ventricle, double outlet right ventricle, and mixed-type total anomalous pulmonary venous connection with totally occluded left pulmonary veins presented at our center for fenestrated total cavo-pulmonary connection with an extra cardiac conduit at the age of 3 years. Eleven months after the Fontan completion, she developed protein-losing enteropathy (PLE). Spontaneously closed fenestration was thought to be the cause of the PLE, and she underwent revision of fenestration at the age of 5 years. After the operation, PLE did not improve, and newly developed hypoxemia impaired her systemic ventricular function, leading to the initiation of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) with the Endumo(®) system 18 days after the operation to treat her hemodynamic instability. Although the ECMO circuit was changed three times during the first 8 days, the fourth circuit could be used for 74 days without hemolysis and serum leakage, until the patient unfortunately died 82 days after the operation due to multi-organ failure.

We investigated early clinical outcomes of a new extracorporeal life support (ECLS) system (Endumo 2000, Heiwa Bussan, Tokyo, Japan), which consists of a ROTAFLOW centrifugal pump, a BIOCUBE oxygenator with plasma-leakage-tight polymer fibers, and a biocompatible coating (T-NCVC coating), in pediatric patients <1 year old. From 2008 to 2011, 31 patients required ECLS. Except for 1 patient who was instituted with a transitional ECLS device, a conventional ECLS system (pediatric Emersave, TERUMO, Saitama, Japan) was initiated in 14 patients before December 2009 (6 boys, 63.4 ± 87.1 days old, 3.1 ± 1.0 kg), and the Endumo 2000 was initiated in 16 patients after December 2009 (8 boys, 43.9 ± 78.5 days old, 3.2 ± 0.7 kg). Primary reasons for the institution of ECLS were intraoperative low output syndrome in 11 patients, post-cardiotomy cardiopulmonary collapse in 9 patients, and other reasons in 10 patients. The median support period was 21.7 ± 20.7 days and the total number of circuit exchanges was 83. The median first circuit durability was significantly longer in the Endumo group [8.0 days (range 5.9-13.2) vs. 4.4 days (1.9-8.3)] (p = 0.020). Significant cranial hemorrhage occurred in only 1 patient, who received the Emersave system. The success rate for weaning from ECLS was 14.3% in the Emersave group and 56.3% in the Endumo group. Univariate analysis showed that usage of the Endumo 2000 was a predictor for successful weaning from the ECLS (p = 0.017) as well as survival at discharge (p = 0.032). The Endumo 2000 system provided safe and effective cardiopulmonary support without complications.

Quick setup is mandatory for cardiopulmonary resuscitation using an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) assist device. Our conventional ECMO circuit for pediatric patients consists of a centrifugal pump (CX-HP) and membrane oxygenator (CX10H). Because of the large priming volume (260 ml), the circuit had to be primed with donor blood and required 30 minutes for setup. We started to use a low-prime ECMO with small centrifugal pump (HPM-15) and membrane oxygenator (MENOX Alpha Cube) for induction of ECMO beginning in 2000. The priming volume of this low-prime circuit is only 99 ml. The circuit can be primed without donor blood, even in the small patient, and requires only 10 minutes to set up. We review our experiences with cardiopulmonary resuscitation for sudden cardiopulmonary collapse in pediatric patients, including postcardiotomy patients. From 1997 to 2000, 23 patients underwent ECMO support with a conventional circuit (group A). From 2000 to 2004, we used low-prime circuit for induction of ECMO in 12 patients (group B). After the induction of ECMO with low-prime circuit, ECMO was converted to conventional heparin-bonded circuit for the longer support. The results suggested that the quick induction of ECMO with low-prime circuit has significant advantages in cardiopulmonary support in pediatric patients.