Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for immunocompromised children with acute respiratory distress syndrome: a French referral center cohort

Abstract

Immunocompromised children are likely to develop a refractory acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The usefulness of providing extracorporeal life support (ECLS) to these patients is a subject of debate. The aim of our study was to report the outcomes and to compare factors associated with mortality between immunocompromised and non-immunocompromised children supported with veno-venous ECMO. We performed a retrospective monocentric study in the French pediatric ECMO center of Armand Trousseau Hospital, including all pediatric patients aged from 1 month to 18 years requiring ECLS for ARDS. Between 2007 and 2018, one hundred and eleven (111) patients underwent ECMO for respiratory failure; among them twenty-five (25) were immunocompromised. Survival rate at 6 months after intensive care discharge was significantly lower for immunocompromised patients compared to non-immunocompromised ones (41.7% vs. 62.8%; P=0.0.04). ARDS severity was similar between the 2 groups. Fungal pneumonias were reported only in immunocompromised patients (12.5% versus 0% in the control group; P=0.0.001). Bleeding complications were significantly more frequent in the immunocompromised group and blood product transfusions were also more frequently required in this group. Six months after intensive care discharge, survival rate of immunocompromised children supported with ECMO for pediatric ARDS is lower than for non-immunocompromised patients. But the expectation for a favorable outcome is real and it is worth it if their condition is likely to be compatible with a good long-term quality of life.