Gators vs. Crocodiles - Report from SEECMO 2023
Critical Care Research Group Founder and Director Prof John Fraser and Dr Silver Heinsar traveled to Florida this month to present at The University of Florida’s Specialist Education in ECMO meeting (SEECMO). We caught up with Dr Heinsar to hear about the conference covering COVID-19 related VV-ECMO, mobilising ECMO patients, patient transport, and mechanical circulatory support for cardiac failure.
“As one of the international speakers invited to present at SEECMO, I was able to share findings from our pulsatile ECMO studies. We recently finished major preclinical trials that showed pulsatile VA-ECMO is associated with improved outcomes. The audience, consisting of international ECMO specialists, found the results highly interesting and they were well received,” said Dr Heinsar.
When not attending or presenting a session at the conference, John and Silver met with research and industry leaders, but also with emerging researchers, allied health specialists and medics. There was a great interest in what the CCRG labs have to offer - a complete package of device development starting from numerical, bench top and preclinical studies, all the way to clinical testing.
This was the first time CCRG had representation at the conference and, with John and Silver the furthest traveling invited guests, it's fair to say the Group’s international profile continues to grow. This was further illustrated when Prof Bob Bartlett commended CCRG at the Speaker’s Dinner held at Prof Giles Peek’s home, about 20 miles out of Gainesville.
“Prof Bartlett gave several lectures, including a talk entitled “War Stories”, where he shared some of the hurdles of transporting ECMO patients in the early days. It’s an honour to stand next to a giant in this field, share stories, share laughs, and to be recognised and acknowledged by one of our biggest idols,” said Dr Heinsar.
Prof Bartlett, together with Prof Theodor Kolobow (1931-2018), is widely considered the father of ECMO. Prof Bartlett treated the very first neonatal ECMO survivor back in 1976, referred to as Baby Esperanza. Esperanza Pineda now has a family and frequently attends ECMO conferences. In addition to 50 years of research in this field, Prof Bartlett continues to advise clinicians personally around the world about best practices in ECMO.
As part of his participation at the conference, John hosted the “TOP GUN ECMO” competition where different centers competed against the clock to modify an ECMO circuit.
Competitors were required to stop the ECMO pump, clamp the circuit, cut it, attach the new piece whilst ensuring no air gets in, and then restart the circuit. Prof Fraser was in full ‘sports commentator’ mode as he donned a gold jacket to host the competition, while Prof Peek was on refereeing duties, making sure any bubbles in the circuit wouldn’t go unpunished, adding extra time to the team’s score as a penalty.
Prof John Fraser with TOP GUN ECMO Competition winners from UCLA. University of Florida’s Prof Giles Peek (back centre) acted as referee.
Prof John Fraser and Dr Silver Heinsar with Mrs Wanda Bartlett (centre)
CCRG PhD Research Fellow Dr Silver Heinsar
“One of the most difficult jobs as an ECMO specialist is changing parts of the circuit when the old circuit part has either clotted or is malfunctioning. Every move needs to be fast, but also according to sterility standards and without letting any air into the closed circuit which is filled with blood,” explains Silver.
Silver also reflected on the importance of the ELSO and ECMO communities.
“ELSO and the wider ECMO community come together to share ideas and innovate in a field where 1 in 2 patients die. Whilst these are the sickest patients and high mortality rates can be expected, there is still so much that can be improved. Sharing experience and data is the only way our patients can survive and thrive. ELSO data is available for use on request by all its centers, for example The Prince Charles Hospital where CCRG is headquartered is an ELSO center. Events like SEECMO build networks, inspire new ideas, show us that we are really not so different, and allow us to see our friends whom we might usually only see through the computer screen.”