Aims Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is increasingly being used to support patients in cardiogenic shock (CS). Early determination of disposition is paramount, as longer durations of support have been associated with worse outcomes. We describe a stepwise, bedside weaning protocol to assess cardiopulmonary recovery during VA-ECMO.
Methods and resultsOver 1 year, we considered all patients on VA-ECMO for CS for the Weaning Protocol (WP) at our centre. During the WP, patients had invasive haemodynamic monitoring, echocardiography, and blood gas analysis while flow was reduced in 1 LPM decrements. Ultimately, the circuit was clamped for 30 min, and final measures were taken. Patients were described as having durable recovery (DR) if they were free of pharmacological and mechanical support at 30 days postdecannulation. Over 12 months, 34 patients had VA-ECMO for CS. Fourteen patients were eligible for the WP at 4-12 days. Ten patients tolerated full flow reduction and were successfully decannulated. Twenty-four per cent of the entire cohort demonstrated DR with no adverse events during the WP. Patients with DR had significantly higher ejection fraction, cardiac index, and smaller left ventricular size at lowest flow during the WP. Conclusions We describe a safe, stepwise, bedside weaning protocol to assess cardiac recovery during VA-ECMO. Early identification of patients more likely to recover may improve outcomes during ECMO support.
An intrauterine device (IUD) is a highly effective and widely utilized option for long-acting reversible contraception. IUDs are generally well-tolerated with a low rate of serious complications. Perforation of an IUD through the uterine wall and into the urinary bladder is a rare event that may be asymptomatic. The approach for surgical removal primarily depends on the location of the device. We present a case report of a 41-year-old woman who was found to have a partially intravesical IUD and associated 2.4 cm bladder calculus. Removal of the intravesical IUD and stone was achieved with cystoscopy, cystolitholapaxy, and robot-assisted laparoscopic cystotomy.
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