Percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass support (PCPS) has become a widespread standard modality for the treatment of circulatory collapse; however, its clinical use for postcardiotomy low cardiac output syndrome (LOS) has been reported to be unsatisfactory. We reviewed the clinical outcomes of twenty-three patients undergoing cardiac surgery and treated with PCPS. Solitary coronary artery grafting was undertaken for nine patients, while three had concomitant procedures. The remaining patients underwent valvular surgery. The indications for PCPS were preoperative shock in two patients and postcardiotomy LOS or shock in twenty-one patients. All patients except one underwent an intraaortic balloon pump. Sixteen of the twenty-three patients (69.6%) were weaned from PCPS and twelve patients (52.2%) reached hospital discharge. A univariate analysis revealed that risk factors for hospital mortality were age older than seventy years (P = 0.05), PCPS running time (P = 0.017), low cardiac function at the institution of PCPS (P = 0.004), and urine output within the initial 24 h (P = 0.041). The cardiac index (CI) in survivors was improved within 24 h, and eleven of the twelve survivors were weaned off PCPS within 48 h, whereas ten of the twelve nonsurvivors required PCPS for more than 48 h (P = 0.0006). There is little possibility of weaning patients from PCPS who do not show any signs of hemodynamic recovery within 48 h after its institution. Limited use of PCPS within 48 h may be applicable for postcardiotomy patients, but other cardiopulmonary support, such as a left ventricular assist device, may be required when hemodynamic recovery is not obtained within 48 h.
Adolescent Adult