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Examination of Hyperlucent Foci and Clinical Outcomes in Pediatric Cardiac Patients on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Author(s) -
Brothers Matthew,
Kreeger Joseph,
Mahle William T.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
echocardiography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.404
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1540-8175
pISSN - 0742-2822
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-8175.2010.01339.x
Subject(s) - medicine , extracorporeal membrane oxygenation , cardiopulmonary bypass , extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation , cardiopulmonary resuscitation , retrospective cohort study , cardiology , extracorporeal , radiology , resuscitation , surgery
Background: A number of cardiac patients on venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA‐ECMO) at our institution were found to have hyperlucent foci evident on echocardiography. However, the clinical significance of these findings is not known. Methods: To investigate this phenomenon further we undertook a retrospective analysis to determine the prevalence and clinical implications of hyperlucent foci in children supported with VA‐ECMO. Results: From January 2002 to September 2009 49 subjects were supported with VA‐ECMO. Of these, 12 (24%) were found to have hyperlucent foci. Foci were multifocal in six subjects (50%) and the most common location was left ventricular wall. No association was noted between primary cardiac diagnoses, or for inciting reason for placement on ECMO (extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation vs. transition from cardiopulmonary bypass to ECMO). There was no association between the presence of the foci and death in less than 14 days following decannulation from ECMO, hospital survival 42% versus 43%, P = 0.1. Among subjects who survived at least 14 days after ECMO decannulation hyperlucent foci resolved in 5 of 7. Conclusions: Hyperlucent foci can be seen in children supported by VA‐ECMO. They do not portend a poorer prognosis. Among hospital survivors resolution is the norm. (Echocardiography 2011;28:358‐362)