ABSTRACT
Introduction:Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is well-recognized treatment modality for patients with refractory cardiogenic shock. Uncomplicated cannulation is a prerequisite and basis for achieving a successful outcome in ECMO. Vascular access is obtained either by surgical cut-down. Common vascular access complications are bleeding and limb ischemia. Objective: To evaluate cannulation technique, the incidence of vascular complications, and their impact on the outcome. Methods: A retrospective data analysis conducted on 95 patients receiving ECMO from 2013 to 2020 was done. The patients were divided into two groups: no vascular access complications (non-VAC group) and vascular access complications (VAC group). The groups were compared related to the hospital and ICU stays and blood transfusion. Results: The patients in both groups were demographically and clinically comparable. The Non-VAC group had 75 patients, whereas the VAC group had a total of 20 patients. The main complication observed in the VAC group was bleeding from the cannulation site which required more blood transfusion than the non-VAC group (6.8 ± 1.02 vs 4.2 ± 1.26). Limb ischemia was another complication seen in the VAC group (4.2%, n = 4). Two patients had delayed bleeding after decannulation. The overall average length of stay in the hospital was statistically similar in both the groups (22 days in the VAC group vs 18 days in the non-VAC group), but the average ICU stay was more in the VAC group compared to the non-VAC group (18 days vs 12.06 days). Conclusion: Bleeding and limb ischemia are the important vascular access site complications, which increase blood transfusion requirements, ICU stay, and overall hospital stay.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics and influencing factors on clinical outcome of patients receiving extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR).Methods:A total of 78 patients receiving ECPR admitted to the Department of Emergency Medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Jiangsu Provincial People’s Hospital) from March 2015 to December 2020 were retrospectively enrolled. Patients were divided into the survival group and death group according to clinical outcome. Their baseline data, CPR associated parameters, and pre-ECPR laboratory tests were compared between the two groups.Results:Of the 78 included patients, 51 patients were male and 27 female. Twenty-three patients finally survived, including 10 males and 13 females. There were no significant differences in age, body mass index and underlying diseases (hypertension, diabetes and coronary heart disease) between the two groups (all P > 0.05). The proportion of male patients in the survival group was lower than that in the death group ( P=0.017). Meanwhile Survival After Veno-Arterial ECMO (SAVE) score was significantly higher in the survival group than that in the death group[ (-1.57±4.15) vs. (-9.36±5.36), P<0.001]. The proportion of by-stander CPR in the survival group was higher than that in the death group ( P=0.014). The pre-ECPR serum AST, ALT, and Cr levels in the survival group were significantly lower than those in the death group (all P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that by-stander CPR ( OR=0.114, 95% CI: 0.015~0.867, P=0.036) and SAVE score ( OR=0.625, 95% CI: 0.479~0.815, P=0.001) were independent risk factors predicting ICU death in patients receiving ECPR. Conclusions:ECPR is an efficient tool to improve clinical outcomes of patients with cardiac arrest. By-stander CPR and SAVE score are independent risk factors predicting ICU death in patients receiving ECPR.