Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Utilization in Blunt and Penetrating Traumatic Injuries: A Systematic Review

Background Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has become an increasingly used treatment modality for severe respiratory insufficiency in trauma patients. Examining ECMO use specifically in blunt and penetrating traumas can aid in directing future protocols. We aim to evaluate the outcomes of ECMO use in both blunt and penetrating trauma patients through a systematic review of current literature. Methods An online search of 2 databases (PubMed and Google Scholar) was performed to analyze studies, which evaluated the use of ECMO in blunt and penetrating traumas. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation guidelines were followed. Data extracted included mechanism of injury, injury severity scores (ISSs), complications, and mortality rates. Results The search demonstrated 9 studies that met our review inclusion criteria. A total of 207 patients were included, of which 64 (30.9%) were non-survivors and 143 (69.1%) were survivors. There was a total of 201 blunt traumas with 61 (30.3%) deaths, whereas penetrating traumas had 2 deaths (33.3%) out of 6 total patients. Complications reported included acute renal failure, hemorrhage at the cannula site, and transient neurological deficits. Most studies found better survival rates and less complications in younger patients and those with lower ISS. Conclusion Expanding the use of ECMO to include blunt and penetrating trauma patients provides the trauma surgeons with another crucial potentially lifesaving tool with an overall survival rate of 70%. Anticipating increased future use of ECMO in blunt and penetrating trauma patients, distinct protocols ought to be instilled to better address the care needed for these critically ill trauma patients.

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Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in trauma patients: a systematic review

World Journal of Emergency Surgery ◽

10.1186/s13017-020-00331-2 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Changtian Wang ◽

Lei Zhang ◽

Tao Qin ◽

Zhilong Xi ◽

Lei Sun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Median Time ◽

Injury Severity ◽

Case Reports ◽

Severe Trauma ◽

Trauma Patients ◽

Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Severity Scores ◽

Va Ecmo

Abstract Background Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has evolved considerably over the past two decades and has been gradually utilized in severe trauma. However, the indications for the use of ECMO in trauma remain uncertain and the clinical outcomes are different. We performed a systematic review to provide an overall estimate of the current performance of ECMO in the treatment of trauma patients. Materials and methods We searched PubMed and MEDLINE databases up to the end of December 2019 for studies on ECMO in trauma. The PRISMA statement was followed. Data on demographics of the patient, mechanism of injury, injury severity scores (ISS), details of ECMO strategies, and clinical outcome were extracted. Results A total of 58 articles (19 retrospective reports and 39 case reports) were deemed eligible and included. In total, 548 patients received ECMO treatment for severe trauma (adult 517; children 31; mean age of adults 34.9 ± 12.3 years). Blunt trauma (85.4%) was the primary injury mechanism, and 128 patients had traumatic brain injury (TBI). The mean ISS was 38.1 ± 15.0. A total of 71.3% of patients were initially treated with VV ECMO, and 24.5% were placed on VA ECMO. The median time on ECMO was 9.6 days, and the median time to ECMO was 5.7 days. A total of 60% of patients received initially heparin anticoagulation. Bleeding (22.9%) and thrombosis (19%) were the most common complications. Ischemia of the lower extremities occurred in 9 patients. The overall hospital mortality was 30.3%. Conclusions ECMO has been gradually utilized in a lifesaving capacity in severe trauma patients, and the feasibility and advantages of this technique are becoming widely accepted. The safety and effectiveness of ECMO in trauma require further study. Several problems with ECMO in trauma, including the role of VA-ECMO, the time to institute ECMO, and the anticoagulation strategy remain controversial and must be solved in future studies.

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Role of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in children with sepsis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Critical Care ◽

10.1186/s13054-020-03418-z ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Kollengode Ramanathan ◽

Nicholas Yeo ◽

Peta Alexander ◽

Lakshmi Raman ◽

Ryan Barbaro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Septic Shock ◽

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Survival Data ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Hospital Length Of Stay ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Gram Positive ◽

Membrane Oxygenation

Abstract Background The benefits of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in children with sepsis remain controversial. Current guidelines on management of septic shock in children recommend consideration of ECMO as salvage therapy. We sought to review peer-reviewed publications on effectiveness of ECMO in children with sepsis. Methods Studies reporting on mortality in children with sepsis supported with ECMO, published in PubMed, Scopus and Embase from 1972 till February 2020, were included in the review. This study was done in adherence to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis statement after registering the review protocol with PROSPERO. Study eligibility was independently assessed by two authors and disagreements resolved by a third author. Publications were reviewed for quality using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system. Random-effects meta-analyses (DerSimonian and Laird) were conducted, and 95% confidence intervals were computed using the Clopper-Pearson method. Outliers were identified by the Baujat plot and leave-one-out analysis if there was considerable heterogeneity. The primary outcome measure was survival to discharge. Secondary outcome measures included hospital length of stay, subgroup analysis of neonatal and paediatric groups, types and duration of ECMO and complications . Results Of the 2054 articles screened, we identified 23 original articles for systematic review and meta-analysis. Cumulative estimate of survival (13 studies, 2559 patients) in the cohort was 59% (95%CI: 51–67%). Patients had a median length of hospital stay of 28.8 days, median intensive care unit stay of 13.5 days, and median ECMO duration of 129 h. Children needing venoarterial ECMO (9 studies, 208 patients) showed overall pooled survival of 65% (95%CI: 50–80%). Neonates (< 4 weeks of age) with sepsis needing ECMO (7 studies, 85 neonates) had pooled survival of 73% (95%CI: 56- 87%). Gram positive organisms were the most common pathogens (47%) in septic children supported with ECMO. Conclusion Survival rates of children with sepsis needing ECMO was 59%. Neonates had higher survival rates (73%); gram positive organisms accounted for most common infections in children needing ECMO. Despite limitations, pooled survival data from this review indicates consideration of ECMO in refractory septic shock for all pediatric age groups.

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Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in trauma: A single institution experience and review of the literature

The International Journal of Artificial Organs ◽

10.1177/0391398818794111 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 41 (12) ◽

pp. 845-853 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Aaron Strumwasser ◽

Joshua M Tobin ◽

Reynold Henry ◽

Chrissy Guidry ◽

Caroline Park ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Trauma Patient ◽

Patient Population ◽

Injury Severity ◽

Blunt Injury ◽

Trauma Patients ◽

Single Institution ◽

Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Severity Scores ◽

Level I

Introduction: Limited options exist for cardiovascular support of the trauma patient in extremis. This patient population offers challenges that are often considered insurmountable. This article identifies a heterogeneous group of trauma patients in extremis who may benefit from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Methods: Data were sourced from the medical records of all patients placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation following trauma at a Level I Trauma Center between 1 December 2016 and 1 December 2017. Results: All patients were male (N = 7), mostly with blunt injuries (n = 5), with an average age of 41 years and with an average Injury Severity Scores of 33 (median = 34). Two out of seven patients survived (28.5%). Survivors tended to have a longer duration on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (13.5 vs 3.8 days), had extracorporeal membrane oxygenation initiated later (15 vs 7.8 days), and had suffered a blunt injury. Two patients were initiated on veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (both non-survivors) and five were initiated on veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (two survivors, three non-survivors). Five patients were heparinized immediately (one survivor, four non-survivors), and two patients were heparinized after clotting was noted in the circuit (one survivor, one non-survivor). Three of the seven (42.8%) patients suffered cardiac arrest either prior to, or during, the initiation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (all non-survivors). Discussion: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use in the trauma patient in extremis is not standard; however, this article demonstrates that extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is feasible in a complex, heterogeneous patient population when treated at designated centers.

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Traumatic respiratory failure and veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support

Perfusion ◽

10.1177/02676591211012840 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 026765912110128

Author(s):

Ismael A Salas De Armas ◽

Bindu Akkanti ◽

Pratik B Doshi ◽

Manish Patel ◽

Sachin Kumar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Failure ◽

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Injury Severity ◽

Invasive Mechanical Ventilation ◽

Ecmo Support ◽

Trauma Patients ◽

Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Trauma Service ◽

Proper Patient Selection ◽

Vv Ecmo

Background: Respiratory failure (RF) is a common cause of death and morbid complication in trauma patients. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is increasingly used in adults with RF refractory to invasive mechanical ventilation. However, use of ECMO remains limited for this patient population as they often have contraindications for anticoagulation. Study design: Medical records were retroactively searched for all adult patients who were admitted to the trauma service and received veno-venous ECMO (VV ECMO) support between June 2015 and August 2018. Survival to discharge and ECMO-related complications were collected and analyzed. Results: Fifteen patients from a large Level I trauma center met the criteria. The median PaO2/FiO2 ratio was 53.0 (IQR, 27.0–76.0), median injury severity score was 34.0 (IQR, 27.0–43.0), and the median duration of ECMO support was 11 days (IQR, 7.5–20.0). For this cohort, the survival-to-discharge rate was 87% (13/15). The incidence of neurologic complications was 13%, and deep vein thrombosis was reported in two cases (13%). Conclusions: Survival rates of trauma patients in this study are equivalent to, or may exceed, those of non-trauma patients who receive ECMO support for other types of RF. With the employment of a multidisciplinary team assessment and proper patient selection, early cannulation, traumatic RF may be safely supported with VV ECMO in experienced centers.

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