Case Report

Emergency Portable Pump Oxygenation

The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, The Pennsylvania State University, Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Perfusion, Hershey, PA

^* Direct communications to: Warren Bowers, R.N., C.C.P, 3400 Executive Drive, Suite 102, Raleigh, NC 27609

Abstract

(J. Extra-Corpor. Technol. 19[1] p. 228–230 Summer 1987). This report describes the successful use of emergency portable pump oxygenation (EPO) for a patient with critical aortic stenosis and severe hypotension. Portable pump oxygenation was used in the case of an 82-year-old female who manifested marked hypotension (40 mmHg. systolic), ventricular fibrillation, and acute pulmonary edema during a cardiac catheterization procedure. Cardiopulmonary bypass was initiated via femoral cannulation in the catheterization laboratory. The patient was then transported, along with the EPO apparatus, to the surgery suite where she underwent emergency aortic valve replacement. Total EPO time was 45 minutes. After an uneventful hospital stay, the patient was discharged home on postoperative day number 11.