Duration of ECMO Is an Independent Predictor of Intracranial Hemorrhage Occurring During ECMO Support.

Abstract

We assessed the incidence and predictors of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) occurring during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. Of 154 patients who received ECMO, 12 (7.8%) developed ICH. Patients with ICH had a longer ECMO duration (9.41 vs. 5.37 days, p = 0.007), and higher activated clotting time (activated clotting time, p= 0.016). They also experienced higher frequency of bleeding at other sites (p = 0.017) and required more platelet transfusion (p = 0.016). Multivariate analysis showed that a longer ECMO duration (odds ratio [OR] = 1.074, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.005-1.148, p = 0.035) is independently associated with the risk of ICH. We recommend routine neurological checks, monitoring of coagulation parameters, and attempt earlier rather than late weaning from ECMO whenever feasible.