Abstract

Introduction: Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is an emerging therapy for refractory cardiogenic shock (CS); however, characteristics of patients most likely to benefit from this therapy remain to be determined. We hypothesized that the underlying etiology of CS and patient specific characteristics predict survival to discharge. Methods: We compared outcomes in patients supported with VA-ECMO for refractory CS resulting from (1) acute myocardial infarction (AMI; with or without revascularization); (2) acute pulmonary embolism (PE); (3) acute cardiomyopathy; (4) chronic cardiomyopathy; (5) post-cardiotomy; and (6) other etiologies of shock. Chi-square analysis was used to identify predictors of survival to discharge after VA-ECMO. Results: From 2009-2013, 102 patients were initiated on VA-ECMO for refractory CS. The average age was 52 ±15 (mean ± SD) years old with 71 (70%) males. Overall, 39 (38%) patients survived to discharge. In the cohort, 22 patients were post-cardiotomy and 5 (23%) of those survived to discharge. Of the 80 patients without prior cardiotomy, survival to discharge was 27% (8/30) after AMI, 64% (9/14) after PE, 75% (6/8) with acute cardiomyopathy, 50% (5/10) with chronic cardiomyopathy, and 39% (7/18) with other CS etiologies. Survivors were younger (45 ±13 vs 56 ±14, p = 0.0002) and none of the 24 patients over the age of 64 years old survived to discharge. There was a significant difference in survival when comparing etiologies of shock (p = 0.012 by Chi-square comparison among etiologies). There was no significant difference in survival by gender. Conclusions: Survival in patients with refractory CS requiring VA-ECMO may depend on age and underlying etiology of shock. Further research into predictors of survival after institution of VA-ECMO is warranted.

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