Undergoing Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Therapy Research Articles

Update on Anticoagulation Strategies in Patients with ECMO-A Narrative Review.

The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has recently increased exponentially. ECMO has become the preferred mode of organ support in refractory respiratory or circulatory failure. The fragile balance of haemostasis physiology is massively altered by the patient's critical condition and specifically the aetiology of the underlying disease. Furthermore, an application of ECMO conveys another disturbance of haemostasis due to blood-circuit interaction and the presence of an oxygenator. The purpose of this review is to summarise current knowledge on the anticoagulation management in patients undergoing ECMO therapy. The unfractionated heparin modality with monitoring of activated partial thromboplastin tests is considered to be a gold standard for anticoagulation in this specific subgroup of intensive care patients. However, alternative modalities with other agents are comprehensively discussed. Furthermore, other ways of monitoring can represent the actual state of coagulation in a more complex fashion, such as thromboelastometric/graphic methods, and might become more frequent. In conclusion, the coagulation system of patients with ECMO is altered by multiple variables, and there is a significant lack of evidence in this area. Therefore, a highly individualised approach is the best solution today.

Maternal-Fetal Results of COVID-19-Infected Pregnant Women Treated with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Descriptive Report.

COVID-19 infection may produce severe pneumonia, mainly in the adult population. Pregnant women with severe pneumonia are at high risk of developing complications, and conventional therapy sometimes fails to reverse hypoxemia. Therefore, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an option in cases with refractory hypoxemic respiratory failure. This study aims to evaluate the maternal-fetal risk factors, clinical characteristics, complications, and outcomes of 11 pregnant or peripartum patients with COVID-19 treated with ECMO. This is a retrospective descriptive study of 11 pregnant women undergoing ECMO therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. In our cohort, four patients underwent ECMO during pregnancy (36.3%) and 7 during the postpartum period. Initially, they started on venovenous ECMO, and three patients were required to change modality due to clinical conditions. In total, 4/11 pregnant women (36.3%) died. We established two periods that differed in the implementation of a standardized care model for reducing associated morbidities and mortality. Neurological complications were responsible for most deaths. Regarding fetal outcomes at early-stage pregnancies on ECMO (4), we report three stillbirths (75%), and one newborn (twin pregnancy) survived and had a favorable evolution. At later-stage pregnancies, all newborns survived, and we did not identify any vertical infection. ECMO therapy is an alternative for pregnant women with severe hypoxemic respiratory failure due to COVID-19, and may improve maternal and neonatal results. Regarding fetal outcomes, the gestational age played a definitive role. However, the main complications reported in our series and others are neurological. It is essential to develop novel, future interventions to prevent these complications.

Use of Recombinant Activated Factor VII in Bleeding Lung Transplant Patients Undergoing Perioperative ECMO Therapy.

Hemostasis in critically ill patients represents a fragile balance between hypocoagulation and hypercoagulation, and is influenced by various factors. Perioperative use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)-increasingly used in lung transplantation-further destabilizes this balance, not least due to systemic anticoagulation. In the case of massive hemorrhage, guidelines recommend considering recombinant activated Factor VII (rFVIIa) as an ultima ratio treatment only after several preconditions of hemostasis have been established. These conditions are calcium levels ≥ 0.9 mmol/L, fibrinogen levels ≥ 1.5 g/L, hematocrit ≥ 24%, platelet count ≥ 50 G/L, core body temperature ≥ 35 °C, and pH ≥ 7.2. This is the first study to examine the effect of rFVIIa on bleeding lung transplant patients undergoing ECMO therapy. The fulfillment of guideline-recommended preconditions prior to the administration of rFVIIa and its efficacy alongside the incidence of thromboembolic events were investigated. In a high-volume lung transplant center, all lung transplant recipients receiving rFVIIa during ECMO therapy between 2013 and 2020 were screened for the effect of rFVIIa on hemorrhage, fulfillment of recommended preconditions, and incidence of thromboembolic events. Of the 17 patients who received 50 doses of rFVIIa, bleeding ceased in four patients without surgical intervention. Only 14% of rFVIIa administrations resulted in hemorrhage control, whereas 71% of patients required revision surgery for bleeding control. Overall, 84% of all recommended preconditions were fulfilled; however, fulfillment was not associated with rFVIIa efficacy. The incidence of thromboembolic events within five days of rFVIIa administration was comparable to cohorts not receiving rFVIIa.

Tracheostomy in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Single-Center Experience.

Novel coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) has led to over 6 million fatalities globally. An estimated 75% of COVID-19 patients who require critical care admission develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) needing invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and/or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Due to prolonged ventilation requirements, these patients often also require tracheostomy. We performed a review of clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients on ECMO at a high-volume tertiary care center in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. We performed a retrospective case series, including 24 adult patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who required IMV, veno-venous (ECMO), and tracheostomy. All patients were included from April to December 2021. We extracted demographic and clinical variables pertaining to the tracheostomy procedure and ECMO therapy. We performed descriptive statistical analyses. This study was approved by the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board (14217-C). We included 24 consecutive patients with COVID-19 who required tracheostomy while undergoing ECMO therapy. The mean age was 49.4 years [standard deviation (SD): 7.33], the majority of patients were male (75%), with mean body mass index of 32 (SD: 8.81). Overall mortality rate was 33.3%. Percutaneous tracheostomy was performed most frequently (83.3%) and, similar to open tracheostomy, was associated with a low rate of perioperative bleeding complications. Within surviving patients, the mean time to IMV weaning and decannulation was 60.2 (SD: 24.6) and 49.4 days (SD: 21.8), respectively. Percutaneous tracheostomy appears to be safe in COVID-19 patients on ECMO and holding anticoagulation 24 hours prior to and after tracheostomy may limit bleeding events in these patients.

Prior Antiplatelet Therapy and Stroke Risk in Critically Ill Patients Undergoing Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

We aimed to investigate whether prior exposure to antiplatelet therapy (anti-PLT) was associated with stroke incidence after the initiation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy. We conducted a population-based cohort study based on health records obtained from the National Health Insurance Service database in South Korea. Adult patients (aged ≥ 18 years) who underwent ECMO therapy in the intensive care unit during 2009–2018 were enrolled. In total, 17,237 patients who underwent ECMO therapy were included; stroke occurred in 779 (4.5%) of 17,237 patients within 7 days of initiating the ECMO therapy. The number of patients in the anti-PLT and control groups was 3909 (22.7%) and 13,328 (77.3%), respectively. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, the anti-PLT group showed 33% lower incidence of stroke than the control group (odds ratio (OR): 0.67, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.55–0.82; p < 0.001). The cardiovascular group showed 35% lower incidence of stroke than the control group (OR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.52–0.78; p < 0.001), whereas the respiratory group (p = 0.821) and the other group (p = 0.705) did not show any significant association. Prior anti-PLT therapy was associated with a lower incidence of stroke within 7 days of initiating ECMO therapy, which was more evident in the cardiovascular group.

Limb Amputation Following Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Therapy Among Survivors: A Nationwide Cohort Study from South Korea.

We aimed to investigate the incidence of limb amputation due to vascular complications related to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy among survivors and examine its association with long-term mortality in these cases. Data from the National Health Insurance Service database in South Korea were extracted for this population-based cohort study. Adult people who underwent ECMO therapy between 2005 and 2018 were included. ECMO survivors were defined as those who survived for at least 365 days after the initiation of ECMO therapy. A total of 6,968 ECMO survivors were included in the study. Among them, 114 (1.6%) underwent limb amputation within 365 days of starting ECMO therapy. On multivariable Cox regression analysis, the risk of 3-year all-cause mortality was not significantly associated with limb amputation compared with those without limb amputation (hazard ratio: 1.53; 95% CI: 0.89-2.63; P = 0.072). In South Korea, 1.6% of ECMO survivors underwent limb amputation within 365 days after initiating ECMO therapy; however, it was not significantly associated with the 3-year all-cause mortality. Our findings warrant future studies on the impact on the quality of life and morbidity-related implications among patients who undergo limb amputation due to ECMO therapy.

Chronic respiratory disease and survival outcomes after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

BackgroundQuality of life following extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy is an important health issue. We aimed to describe the characteristics of patients who developed chronic respiratory disease (CRD) following ECMO therapy, and investigate the association between newly diagnosed post-ECMO CRDs and 5-year all-cause mortality among ECMO survivors.MethodsWe analyzed data from the National Health Insurance Service in South Korea. All adult patients who underwent ECMO therapy in the intensive care unit between 2006 and 2014 were included. ECMO survivors were defined as those who survived for 365 days after ECMO therapy. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, interstitial lung disease, lung cancer, lung disease due to external agents, obstructive sleep apnea, and lung tuberculosis were considered as CRDs.ResultsA total of 3055 ECMO survivors were included, and 345 (11.3%) were newly diagnosed with CRDs 365 days after ECMO therapy. The prevalence of asthma was the highest at 6.1% (185). In the multivariate logistic regression, ECMO survivors who underwent ECMO therapy for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or respiratory failure had a 2.00-fold increase in post-ECMO CRD (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.39 to 2.89; P < 0.001). In the multivariate Cox regression, newly diagnosed post-ECMO CRD was associated with a 1.47-fold (95% CI: 1.17 to 1.86; P = 0.001) higher 5-year all-cause mortality.ConclusionsAt 12 months after ECMO therapy, 11.3% of ECMO survivors were newly diagnosed with CRDs. Patients who underwent ECMO therapy for ARDS or respiratory failure were associated with a higher incidence of newly diagnosed post-ECMO CRD compared to those who underwent ECMO for other causes. Additionally, post-ECMO CRDs were associated with a higher 5-year all-cause mortality. Our results suggest that ECMO survivors with newly diagnosed post-ECMO CRD might be a high-risk group requiring dedicated interventions.

Occurrence of Delirium during ECMO Therapy in a Critical Care Unit in Poland-A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study.

Background: The problem of delirium during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy, which has rarely been studied, is an important issue since it is necessary to ensure patient safety during therapy. This study aimed to show the incidence of delirium in patients after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy and factors affecting the occurrence of delirium in this group of patients. Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Method: The study involved a group of patients from an intensive cardiac care unit who received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy. The study lasted for more than two years, in the period from 2018 until 2020. The Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (NuDESC) and the Delirium Observation Screening Scale (DOSS) were applied. Additionally, the patients were examined using Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS), the Ramsay Sedation Scale (RSS), and a thirst intensity scale; ultimately, relationships between these factors and delirium were examined. Results: In patients who underwent ExtraCorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) therapy, delirium was confirmed by the NuDESC in 68.75% of patients in the evening hours, while it was measured by the DOSS scale in 84.38% of patients in the morning. The study found that ECMO delirium was not associated with hyperactivity, sleep disturbance, sedation, pain, or thirst. Conclusion: Delirium in patients undergoing ECMO therapy was confirmed by both the NuDESC and DOSS. Factors such as thirst and sleep disturbance after ECMO therapy were shown to influence the occurrence of delirium. The diagnosis of delirium using standardized scales is possible provided that more tests are carried out. Research should be conducted to determine whether the NuDESC is equivalent to the DOSS.

Prior Statin Therapy and Mortality After Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Therapy: A Retrospective, Population-Based, Cohort Study

To investigate whether prior statin therapy is associated with an improvement in mortality among patients who undergo extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy. Retrospective, population-based, cohort study. Health records were obtained from the National Health Insurance Service database in South Korea. All adult patients (≥18 y) who underwent ECMO therapy in the intensive care unit between 2005 and 2018 were enrolled. Statin users were defined as patients who were prescribed continuous oral statins ≥90 days before ECMO. The primary endpoint of this study was 90-day mortality. A total of 21,129 adult patients from 128 hospitals were included (4,737 [22.4%] statin users and 16,392 [77.6%] nonusers). After propensity score matching, 9,474 ECMO patients (4,737 in each group) were included in the final analysis. In the propensity-score-matched cohort, statin users exhibited lower 90-day mortality than did nonusers (58.6% [2,774/4,737] in statin users v 65.6% [3,106/4,737] in nonusers). In addition, on Cox regression, 90-day mortality in statin users was 14% less than that in nonusers (hazard ratio 0.86, 95% confidence interval 0.81-0.90; p < 0.001). Among patients who underwent ECMO in South Korea, prior statin therapy was found to be associated with lower 90-day mortality rates after ECMO therapy. However, because this study had a retrospective design, future prospective trials are needed to confirm the findings.

Zwischen Himmel und Hölle: Erfahrungen von Eltern mit einem kritisch kranken Kind mit extrakorporaler Membranoxygenierung (ECMO) - Eine qualitative-explorative Studie mit Paarinterviews.

Between Heaven and Hell: Experiences of parents with a critically ill child with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) - A qualitative-explorative study with couple interviews Abstract. Background: It is a traumatic experience for parents when their child's severe illness necessitates a period of intensive care. This situation becomes even more challenging for parents if a highly technical therapy such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit is required. Aim: The study explores the experiences of parents of critically ill children undergoing ECMO therapy with the aim of better understanding their needs and identifying courses of action for healthcare professionals. Method: The qualitative-explorative study was based on interviews with six couples whose critically ill child is or has been receiving ECMO during the last year, which were used to examine their experiences. The analysis of six such interviews was performed using intensive paraphrasing and inductive coding. Results: The parents' situation can be best characterised as ambivalent with simultaneous feelings of hope and fear. They recognize the danger to their child's life, leading to intense feelings of helplessness with strong emotional reactions. It becomes apparent that there is too little fit between the emotional world of the parents and the action patterns of the health care professionals. Conclusions: The health care professionals thinking logic is based on professional criteria, such as the life threat and risks of ECMO, which ignores the emotional needs of the parents. For this reason, it is important to be more sensitive to the parents and to share positive little signs about their child' s state of health and ability to suffer with them.

Use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in obstetric patients: a retrospective cohort study.

There is little information on the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in pregnant women. Our objectives are to estimate the use of ECMO in pregnant patients, identify clinical conditions associated with ECMO use, and assess survival rates by the associated condition. Using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project-Nationwide Inpatient Sample, we carried out a retrospective cohort study of all delivery admissions in the United States from January 1, 1999, to October 1, 2015. Within the cohort, women who received ECMO therapy were identified using ICD-9 codes and then survival rates among these women were calculated. There were 83 women who underwent ECMO therapy in our cohort of 15,335,205 births, for an overall ECMO use rate of 0.54/100,000 pregnancies. The incidence of ECMO use increased from 0.23/100,000 in 1999 to 2.57/100,000 in 2015. Patients on ECMO were more likely to be older, have a lower income, and have pre-existing medical conditions when compared with the patients not on ECMO. The overall survival rate for the ECMO group was 62.7%. The most common reason for ECMO use was acute respiratory failure. Etiologies associated with the highest survival in those on ECMO were pneumonia and venous thromboembolism, which were found to have survival rates of 75.0% and 81.0%, respectively. The incidence of ECMO use in the obstetric population increased over the last decade and a half. Although it carries a limited survival rate within this population, it has proven life-saving for many suffering from complications of pregnancy and delivery.

Extracellular histones indicate the prognosis in patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy.

Extracellular histones have been recently identified as damage-associated molecular-pattern (DAMP) molecules involved with the pathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases. This study intended to investigate whether extracellular histones can indicate the prognosis in critically ill patients supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy. A total of 56 patients undergoing ECMO were analysed retrospectively. Median concentrations of extracellular histones in patients before ECMO were assessed and used to divide the patients into two groups (Group 1 <48 µg/ml and Group 2 ⩾48 µg/ml). Mortality rate, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores and systemic inflammation were compared between the groups. There were relatively higher concentrations of extracellular histones in Group 2 patients (57.78 µg/ml [48.4, 71.3]) than in Group 1 patients (36.76 µg/ml [28.5, 39.3], p<0.0001). The hospital mortality rate was 55.4% for the entire study subjects, with significantly worsened mortality in Group 2 in contrast to Group 1 (58.8% vs. 50%, p=0.031). Moreover, Group 2 patients had significantly higher SOFA scores and more pronounced systemic inflammation than Group 1 patients prior to ECMO initialization. Extracellular histones are known contributors to cell damage and organ injury. Our study showed that extracellular histones have a predictive value in the assessment of outcome of patients undergoing ECMO therapy and may be helpful for risk stratification in clinical settings.

Population Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Gentamicin in Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Gentamicin pharmacokinetics may be altered in pediatric patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Description of gentamicin pharmacokinetics and relevant variables can improve dosing. A retrospective population pharmacokinetic study was designed, and pediatric patients who received gentamicin while undergoing ECMO therapy over a period of 6 1/2 years were included. Data collection included the following: patient demographics, serum creatinine, albumin, hematocrit, gentamicin dosing and serum concentrations, urine output, and ECMO circuit parameters. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the patient population. Population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed with NONMEM, and simulation was performed to identify empiric doses to achieve therapeutic serum concentrations. A total of 37 patients met study criteria (75.7% male patients), with a median age of 0.17 [interquartile range (IQR) 0.12-0.82] years. Primary indications for ECMO included the following: congenital diaphragmatic hernia (n = 17), persistent pulmonary hypertension (n = 5), and septic shock (n = 4). Patients received a total of 117 gentamicin doses [median 1.8 (IQR 1.4-2.9) mg/kg/dose] and had 125 serum concentrations measured at a median of 22.8 (IQR 15.8-25.5) hours after a dose. Population pharmacokinetic analysis identified a 2-compartment model with additive error as the best fit. Covariates included the following: allometrically scaled fat-free mass on clearance, central and peripheral volume of distribution (VDcentral and VDperipheral), and intercompartmental clearance; serum creatinine on clearance; ultrafiltration rate on central volume of distribution. Simulation identified dosage of 4-5 mg/kg/dose every 24 hours for neonates and infants as an acceptable empiric dosing regimen. Children and adolescents had elevated trough concentrations when dosed according to traditional dosing methods. Fat-free mass should be used to dose gentamicin in pediatric ECMO patients. Serum creatinine is a marker of gentamicin clearance and should be used to adjust gentamicin dosing in pediatric ECMO patients.

Weaning from prolonged veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) after transfer to a specialized center: a retrospective study.

Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vvECMO) is increasingly used as rescue therapy in severe respiratory failure. In patients with pre-existent lung diseases or persistent lung injury weaning from vvECMO can be challenging. This study sought to investigate outcomes of patients transferred to a specialized ECMO center after prolonged ECMO therapy. We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients admitted to our medical intensive care unit (ICU) between 01/2013 and 12/2016 who were transferred from an external ICU after > 8days on vvECMO. 12 patients on ECMO for > 8days were identified. Prior to transfer, patients underwent ECMO therapy for 18 ± 9.5days. Total time on ECMO was 60 ± 46.6days. 11/12 patients could be successfully weaned from ECMO, 7/12 in the first 28days after transfer (8 ± 8.8 ECMO-free days at day 28). In 7 patients, ECMO could be terminated after at least partial lung recovery, in 4 patients after salvage lung transplant. No patient died or needed re-initiation of ECMO therapy at day 28. In summary, weaning from vvECMO was feasible even after prolonged ECMO courses and salvage lung transplant could be avoided in most cases. Patients may benefit from transfer to a specialized ECMO center.

Intravenous immunoglobulin fails to improve ARDS in patients undergoing ECMO therapy

BackgroundAcute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with high mortality rates. ARDS patients suffer from severe hypoxemia, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy may be necessary to ensure oxygenation. ARDS has various etiologies, including trauma, ischemia-reperfusion injury or infections of various origins, and the associated immunological responses may vary. To support the immunological response in this patient collective, we used intravenous IgM immunoglobulin therapy to enhance the likelihood of pulmonary recovery.MethodsARDS patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) who were placed on ECMO and treated with (IVIG group; n = 29) or without (control group; n = 28) intravenous IgM-enriched immunoglobulins for 3 days in the initial stages of ARDS were analyzed retrospectively.ResultsThe baseline characteristics did not differ between the groups, although the IVIG group showed a significantly reduced oxygenation index compared to the control group. We found no differences in the length of ICU stay or ventilation parameters. We did not find a significant difference between the groups for the extent of inflammation or for overall survival.ConclusionWe conclude that administration of IgM-enriched immunoglobulins as an additional therapy did not have a beneficial effect in patients with severe ARDS requiring ECMO support.Trial registrationClinical Trials: NCT02961166; retrospectively registered.

Regional Cerebral Abnormalities Measured by Frequency-Domain Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Pediatric Patients During Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a form of advanced cardiorespiratory support provided to critically ill patients with severe respiratory or cardiovascular failure. While children undergoing ECMO therapy have significant risk for neurological morbidity, currently there is a lack of reliable bedside tool to detect the neurologic events for patients on ECMO. This study assessed the feasibility of frequency-domain near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for detection of intracranial complications during ECMO therapy. The frequency-domain NIRS device measured the absorption coefficient (µa) and reduced scattering coefficient (µs') at six cranial positions from seven pediatric patients (0-16 years) during ECMO support and five healthy controls (2-14 years). Regional abnormalities in both absorption and scattering were identified among ECMO patients. A main finding in this study is that the abnormalities in scattering appear to be associated with lower-than-normal µs' values in regional areas of the brain. Because light scattering originates from the intracellular structures (such as nuclei and mitochondria), a reduction in scattering primarily reflects loss or decreased density of the brain matter. The results from this study indicate a potential to use the frequency-domain NIRS as a safe and complementary technology for detection of intracranial complications during ECMO therapy.

Mechanical Ventilation in Patients with the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Treated with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Impact on Hospital and 30 Day Postdischarge Survival.

Mechanical ventilation support for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients involves the use of low tidal volumes and positive end-expiratory pressure. Nevertheless, the optimal ventilator strategy for ARDS patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy remains unknown. A retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of adult ARDS patients treated with V-V ECMO from October 2012 to May 2015 was performed. Mechanical ventilation data, as well as demographic and clinical data, were collected. We assessed the association between ventilator data and outcomes of interest. The primary outcome was hospital survival. Secondary outcome was 30 day survival posthospital discharge. Sixty-four ARDS patients were treated with ECMO. Univariate analysis showed that plateau pressure was independently associated with hospital survival. Tidal volume, positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), and plateau were independently associated with 30 day survival. Multivariate analysis, after controlling for covariates, revealed that a 1 unit increase in plateau pressure was associated with a 21% decrease in the odds of hospital survival (95% confidence interval [CI] = 6.39-33.42%, p = 0.007). In regards to 30 day survival postdischarge, a 1 unit increase in plateau pressure was associated with a 14.4% decrease in the odds of achieving the aforementioned outcome (95% CI = 1.75-25.4%, p = 0.027). Also, a 1 unit increase in PEEP was associated with a 36.2% decrease in the odds of 30 day survival (95% CI = 10.8-54.4%, p = 0.009). Among ARDS patients undergoing ECMO therapy, only plateau pressure is associated with hospital survival. Plateau pressure and PEEP are both associated with 30 day survival posthospital discharge.

Runtime and aPTT predict venous thrombosis and thromboembolism in patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: a retrospective analysis.

Background Even though bleeding and thromboembolic events are major complications of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), data on the incidence of venous thrombosis (VT) and thromboembolism (VTE) under ECMO are scarce. This study analyzes the incidence and predictors of VTE in patients treated with ECMO due to respiratory failure.MethodsRetrospective analysis of patients treated on ECMO in our center from 04/2010 to 11/2015. Patients with thromboembolic events prior to admission were excluded. Diagnosis was made by imaging in survivors and postmortem examination in deceased patients.ResultsOut of 102 screened cases, 42 survivors and 21 autopsy cases [mean age 46.0 ± 14.4 years; 37 (58.7 %) males] fulfilling the above-mentioned criteria were included. Thirty-four patients (54.0 %) underwent ECMO therapy due to ARDS, and 29 patients (46.0 %) with chronic organ failure were bridged to lung transplantation. Despite systemic anticoagulation at a mean PTT of 50.6 ± 12.8 s, [VT/VTE 47.0 ± 12.3 s and no VT/VTE 53.63 ± 12.51 s (p = 0.037)], VT and/or VTE was observed in 29 cases (46.1 %). The rate of V. cava thrombosis was 15/29 (51.7 %). Diagnosis of pulmonary embolism prevailed in deceased patients [5/21 (23.8 %) vs. 2/42 (4.8 %) (p = 0.036)]. In a multivariable analysis, only aPTT and time on ECMO predicted VT/VTE. There was no difference in the incidence of clinically diagnosed VT in ECMO survivors and autopsy findings.ConclusionsVenous thrombosis and thromboembolism following ECMO therapy are frequent. Quality of anticoagulation and ECMO runtime predicted thromboembolic events.

Arterial Complications in Patients Undergoing Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation via Femoral Cannulation

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides continuous cardiopulmonary support on a long-term basis. It has been speculated that patients undergoing ECMO via femoral arterial cannulation are more likely to develop peripheral vascular complications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of peripheral vascular complications in this group of patients and outline the modalities used for treatment. Data were collected for all patients who had femoral artery cannulation for ECMO therapy from June 2008 to October 2011. Primary outcome was any vascular complication. Secondary outcomes were 30-day mortality and amputation. Operative reports were reviewed to analyze the surgical procedures implied for treating vascular complications. One hundred one patients underwent ECMO therapy during the period of study; 63.4% were male with an average age of 47.7 years. Mean length of hospital stay was 19.8 days and average length of time on the ECMO device was 7.33 days. Indications for ECMO included cardiogenic shock in 61 patients (60.4%), pulmonary failure in 37 (36.6%), and combined cardiac and pulmonary failure in 3 (3%). Overall mortality comprised 42 patients (42%). Risk factors for peripheral arterial disease included hypertension (32%), diabetes mellitus (21.8%), hyperlipidemia (21.7%), and smoking (19.8%). Eighteen patients (17.8%) developed peripheral vascular complications (confidence interval 10‒25%). Among the patients who developed vascular complications, 78% were male and average length of time on the device was 7.16days. Indications for ECMO were cardiac failure in 13 (72%) and pulmonary failure in 5 (28%). Two (11%) were managed nonoperatively and 16 (89%) needed surgical intervention, 8 (44.44%) of whom required femoral endarterectomy with patch angioplasty. One patient required below-knee amputation. None required distal bypass. Mortality among patients with vascular complications was 28% (P = 0.30). Indications for use of ECMO in these patients included cardiogenic shock in 13 (72%) and pulmonary failure in 5 (28%). The mortality rate was 58% among diabetic patients and 34% in nondiabetic patients (P = 0.007). Vascular complications occur in less then 20% of ECMO patients with the majority requiring femoral reconstruction. Development of vascular complications does not appear to increase risk of amputation or mortality. Among those patients who develop vascular complications, the most common indication for ECMO is cardiogenic shock.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is associated with increased long-term mortality following extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Aim: Information on predisposing risk factors influencing long-term survival after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support remains scarce. In critically ill patients chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an independent risk factor for mortality and morbidity. We assessed the influence of COPD on cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in patients undergoing ECMO therapy. Methods: We prospectively included 191 patients undergoing veno-arterial ECMO therapy following cardiovascular surgery at a university-affiliated tertiary care center into our registry. Results: The median follow-up time was 51 months (IQR 34– 71 months) for corresponding to 4197 overall months of follow-up. 125 patients (65%) died, 88% of deaths were due to cardiovascular causes. Long-term survival was decreased in patients with COPD after 1 year (23% vs. 44%) and after 6 years (14% vs. 35%) compared to patients without COPD (figure 1). COPD was independently associated with all-cause mortality with a hazard ratio of 4.82 (95% CI 1.13-20.50, p=0.033) and cardiovascular mortality with a hazard ratio of 6.88 (95% CI 1.57–30.15, p=0.011). ![Figure][1] Figure 1. COPD and CV mortality Conclusions: We identified COPD as a strong and independent predictor of long-term all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in patients undergoing ECMO therapy following cardiovascular surgery. The current study presents valuable information for a comprehensive decision-making process prior to ECMO implantation and helps to identify high-risk patients that may benefit from intensified treatment of co-morbidities and close check-ups after hospital discharge. [1]: pending:yes