Abstract
Background: Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) has been widely used for patients with refractory cardiogenic shock (CS). A common side-effect of this technic is the resultant increase in left ventricular (LV) afterload which could potentially aggravate myocardial ischemia, delay ventricular recovery, and increase the risk of pulmonary congestion. Several LV unloading strategies have been proposed and implemented to mitigate these complications. However, it is still indistinct that which one is the best choice for clinical application. The objective of this Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA) is to summarize the evidence and compare the efficacy of different LV unloading strategies during VA-ECMO.Methods: We will perform a systematic search to identify random controlled trials and cohort studies comparing different LV unloading strategies during VA-ECMO. PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) will be explored from their inception to 31 December 2020. The primary outcome will be in-hospital mortality. The secondary outcomes will include neurological complications, hemolysis, bleeding, limb ischemia, renal failure, gastrointestinal complications, sepsis, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of intensive care unit, and hospital stays. Pairwise and network meta-analysis will respectively be conducted using Stata (V.16, StataCorp) and Aggregate Data Drug Information System (ADDIS V.1.16.5), and the cumulative probability will be used to rank the included LV unloading strategies. The risk of bias will be conducted using the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool or Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS) according to their study design. Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias assessment will be performed. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) will be conducted to explore the quality of evidence.Discussion: This Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA) will address the problem that which strategy could achieve left ventricular (LV) unloading most effectively during venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and increase cardiogenic shock patient survival benefit, and will provide evidence for clinical decision-making.Systematic review registration: PROSPERO registry number: CRD42020165093.
Survival of patients with acute pulmonary embolism treated with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: A systematic review and meta-analysis
