Risk factors for bleeding complications in patients undergoing extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a secondary analysis of the SAVE-J II study.

BACKGROUND: Bleeding is the most common complication in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients receiving extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR). No studies comprehensively described the incidence rate, timing of onset, risk factors, and treatment of bleeding complications in OHCA patients receiving ECPR in a multicenter setting with a large database. This study aimed to analyze the risk factors of bleeding during the first day of admission and to comprehensively describe details of bleeding during hospitalization in patients with OHCA receiving ECPR in the SAVE-J II study database. METHODS: This study was a secondary analysis of the SAVE-J II study, which is a multicenter retrospective registry study from 36 participating institutions in Japan in 2013-2018. Adult OHCA patients who received ECPR were included. The primary outcome was the risk factor of bleeding complications during the first day of admission. The secondary outcomes were the details of bleeding complications and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 1,632 patients were included. Among these, 361 patients (22.1%) had bleeding complications during hospital stay, which most commonly occurred in cannulation sites (14.3%), followed by bleeding in the retroperitoneum (2.8%), gastrointestinal tract (2.2%), upper airway (1.2%), and mediastinum (1.1%). These bleeding complications developed within two days of admission, and 21.9% of patients required interventional radiology (IVR) or/and surgical interventions for hemostasis. The survival rate at discharge of the bleeding group was 27.4%, and the rate of favorable neurological outcome at discharge was 14.1%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the platelet count (< 10 × 104/µL vs > 10 × 104/µL) was significantly associated with bleeding complications during the first day of admission (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.865 [1.252-2.777], p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: In a large ECPR registry database in Japan, up to 22.1% of patients experienced bleeding complications requiring blood transfusion, IVR, or surgical intervention for hemostasis. The initial platelet count was a significant risk factor of early bleeding complications. It is necessary to lower the occurrence of bleeding complications from ECPR, and this study provided an additional standard value for future studies to improve its safety.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes after extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients with an initial asystole rhythm.

AIM: This study aimed to describe the characteristics of cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) with an initial asystole rhythm in which extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) was introduced and discuss the clinical indications for ECPR in such patients. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of the SAVE-J II study, a retrospective, multicentre, registry study involving 36 participating institutions in Japan. Patients with an initial asystole rhythm were selected. Favourable neurological outcomes (cerebral performance categories 1-2) constituted the primary outcome. RESULTS: In total, 202 patients met the inclusion criteria, with favourable neurological outcomes at hospital discharge in 12 patients (5.9%). Causes of cardiac arrest with favourable neurological outcomes were hypothermia (7 cases), acute coronary syndrome (2 cases), arrhythmia (2 cases), and pulmonary embolism (1 case). Among patients with non-hypothermia (temperature ≥32 °C) on hospital arrival with the cardiac rhythm of asystole or pulseless electrical activity (PEA) on arrival, all 107 patients (66 asystole, 41 PEA) who lacked one or more of the requirements (witness; bystander CPR; signs of life or pupil < 5 mm) had unfavourable neurological outcomes. All 5 cases with favourable neurological outcomes, except for 1 case with a short duration of no-flow time that was highly suspected based on the patient's history, met all the requirements on hospital arrival. CONCLUSIONS: A total of 202 ECPR cases with an initial asystole rhythm, including 12 patients with favourable neurological outcomes, were described. Even if the initial cardiac rhythm is asystole, ECPR could be considered if certain conditions are met.

Traumatic retropharyngeal hematoma without spinal cord injury or spinal fracture: a retrospective multicenter analysis.

BACKGROUND: Retropharyngeal hematoma can be a life-threatening injury due to progressive upper airway obstruction. It is common following spinal cord injury or spinal fracture, and the clinical course and outcome of such patients are determined by their primary injuries. However, the natural clinical course of retropharyngeal hematoma itself remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to examine the clinical characteristics of traumatic retropharyngeal hematoma without spinal cord injury or spinal fracture (TREWISS). METHODS: We performed a multicenter retrospective analysis of patients who were diagnosed in the emergency department with soft tissue swelling of the retropharyngeal space by neck CT, between April 2010 and April 2020. The inclusion criterion was thickness of the retropharyngeal space > 7 mm at C1-C4 or > 22 mm at C5-C7 on a CT image. The exclusion criteria were (1) age < 18 years, (2) cardiopulmonary arrest, (3) other causes of soft tissue swelling besides hematoma, (4) patients with cervical spinal cord injury or spine fractures. Baseline characteristics were compared between intubated and non-intubated patients. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients were included in the analysis. Among them, 16 patients needed intubation. Median patient age was 69 years, and 27% of the patients were on antiplatelet or anticoagulant medications. The width of the hematoma on sagittal CT images was significantly wider in the intubated group [median (interquartile range), 2.5 cm (2.0-3.4) vs. 1.2 cm (0.9-1.7), p = 0.002). More than half the intubated patients needed tracheotomy. Tracheotomy was performed around day 3, and endotracheal tube was placed about 3 weeks. Only 60% of patients were successfully discharged to their homes, and one patient (6.3%) died during hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Early intubation and subsequent intensive care are important for patients with TREWISS. The patients typically require several weeks of hospitalization, although their outcomes are usually poor.

Empyema with fistula successfully treated with a comprehensive approach including bronchial blocker and embolization receiving veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: Complicated empyema accompanied by bronchopleural fistula (BPF) has high mortality. The treatment strategy for severe respiratory failure due to empyema with BPF has yet to be established. CASE PRESENTATION: A 70-year-old man was brought to our hospital and diagnosed with right empyema, BPF (at bronchi B4-10), and secondary left pneumonia. We initiated drainage followed by veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation due to the severe hypoxia. First, the patient underwent endoscopic treatment with obstructive materials (known as endobronchial Watanabe spigot [EWS]) at B8-10, and was weaned off veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation on day 7. A secondary EWS was carried out at B4-6. A combination of medical treatments (drainage, antibiotics, nutritional therapy, and rehabilitation) improved his general condition. The patient was able to leave the hospital on foot. CONCLUSION: A comprehensive approach could explain the success of the medical treatment. The principal components are the repeated application of EWS as damage control.

Pneumonia and Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Followed by Targeted Temperature Management in Patients With Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest　- Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: We examined the association between initiation of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) and the incidence of infectious complications, such as pneumonia, sepsis, and bacteremia, after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in patients who received targeted temperature management (TTM). Methods and Results: This retrospective study used data from hospital medical records of patients with OHCA treated with TTM who had been admitted to St. Luke's International Hospital between April 2006 and December 2018. The primary endpoint was the association between the type of CPR and the incidence of early onset pneumonia in the intensive care unit (ICU; between 48 h and 7 days of hospitalization). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed for the primary endpoints. After applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 254 patients were included in the analyses; of these, 52 were enrolled in the ECPR group, and 202 were enrolled in the CCPR group. Median age was 58 years, 88.5% were male, prophylactic antibiotics were used in 80.3%, and favorable neurological outcomes were observed in 51.9%. On multivariate analysis, ECPR (odds ratio [OR], 2.78; 95% CI: 1.16-6.66; P=0.037) was significantly associated with the development of early onset pneumonia. Conclusions: ECPR was an independent predictor of pneumonia after OHCA in patients who received TTM.