Shifting Risks and Conflicting Outcomes-ECMO for Neonates with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia in the Modern Era.

OBJECTIVES: To update previously described trends for neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) receiving ECMO with changes in recommendations for care, and to determine how recent advancements in respiratory care have affected this patient population. STUDY DESIGN: This study is a retrospective review of more than 2500 neonates with CDH who received ECMO listed in the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) registry. Cochran-Armitage and multivariate regression analyses were used to analyze changes in the patient population over time and in mortality-related risk factors. RESULTS: Almost one-half (48.1%) of the term neonates survived to discharge, representing a 13.8% decline in survival over the past 25 years (P < .0001). Over the past 10 years, the prevalence of respiratory acidosis more than doubled (P < .0001) and the prevalence of major complications increased (P < .001). During the same period, the number of ECMO courses longer than 1 week increased (P < .001), whereas the prevalence of multiple complications (>4) decreased (P < .0001). Surgeries performed on ECMO were associated with worse outcomes than those performed off ECMO. ECMO duration no longer represents a mortality-related risk factor. CONCLUSIONS: Survival rates for neonates with CDH receiving ECMO have continued to drop in the modern era. Although the safety of ECMO has improved over the last decade, the number of patients experiencing significant respiratory acidosis has more than doubled-increasing the risk of intracranial hemorrhage and overall mortality. The evidence for permissive hypercapnia remains mixed; nonetheless, we believe that the risks outweigh the rewards in this patient population.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Pediatric Trisomy 21: 30 Years of Experience from the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in patients with trisomy 21 (T21), to identify risk factors for hospital mortality, and to compare outcomes with those of patients without T21. STUDY DESIGN: Children under age 18 years registered in the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry were included. Comparisons between patients with T21 and patients without T21 were performed using the χ(2) or Wilcoxon rank-sum test and multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: The study cohort included 623 patients with T21 and 46 239 patients without T21. The prevalence of T21 was 13.5/1000 patients receiving ECMO. ECMO utilization in patients with T21 increased over time, with 60% of cases occurring in the last decade. There was no significant difference in survival between patients without T21 and those with T21 (63% vs 57%; P = .23). In patients with T21, independent risk factors for mortality before cannulation were a cardiac indication for ECMO support and milrinone use (P ≤ .001 for both). Multivariable risk factors for mortality on ECMO included hemorrhagic, neurologic, renal, and pulmonary complications (P < .04 for all). CONCLUSION: The use of ECMO in patients with T21 has increased over time. Patients with a cardiac indication for ECMO have higher mortality compared with those supported for respiratory indications. Despite differences in indications for ECMO, patients with T21 have similar hospital survival as those without T21; thus, by itself, a diagnosis of T21 should not be considered a risk factor for in-hospital mortality when contemplating ECMO cannulation.