Approach to Sedation and Analgesia in COVID-19 Patients on Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

2021 ◽  
pp. 106002802110107
Author(s):  
Diane Dreucean ◽  
Jesse E. Harris ◽  
Prakruthi Voore ◽  
Kevin R. Donahue

Objective: To describe clinically pertinent challenges of managing sedation in COVID-19 patients on venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) and describe considerations for enhanced safety and efficacy of pharmacological agents used. Data Sources: A PubMed search was performed using the following search terms: ECMO, ARDS, sedation, COVID-19, coronavirus, opioids, analgesia, fentanyl, hydromorphone, morphine, oxycodone, methadone, ketamine, propofol, dexmedetomidine, clonidine, benzodiazepines, midazolam, lorazepam, and diazepam. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Relevant clinical and pharmacokinetic studies were considered. All studies included were published between January 1988 and March 2021. Data Synthesis: Patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome secondary to COVID-19 may progress to requiring VV-ECMO support. Agents frequently used for sedation and analgesia in these patients have been shown to have significant adsorption to ECMO circuitry, leading to possible diminished clinical efficacy. Use of hydromorphone-based analgesia has been associated with improved clinical outcomes in patients on VV-ECMO. However, safety and efficacy regarding use of other agents in this patient population remains an area of further research. Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice: This review addresses clinical challenges associated with sedation management in COVID-19 patients requiring VV-ECMO support and provides potential strategies to overcome these challenges. Conclusions: Historically, sedation and analgesia management in patients requiring ECMO support have posed a challenge for bedside clinicians given the unique physiological and pharmacokinetic changes in this patient population. A multimodal strategy to managing analgesia and sedation should be used, and the use of enteral agents may play a role in reducing parenteral agent requirements.

Perfusion ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 026765912110521
Author(s):  
Xingshu Ren ◽  
Yuhang Ai ◽  
Lina Zhang ◽  
Chunguang Zhao ◽  
Li Li ◽  
...  

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to describe sedation and analgesia management, and identify the factors associated with increased demand for medication in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients receiving venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO). Methods: This retrospective, single-center study included consecutive adult ARDS patients who received VV-ECMO for at least 24 hours from January 2018 to December 2020 in a comprehensive intensive care unit. The electronic medical records were retrospectively reviewed to collect data. Results: Forty-two adult patients meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Midazolam, sufentanil, and remifentanil were main sedatives and analgesics used in the patient population. The morphine equivalents, representative of the demand for opioids, was 512.9 (IQR, 294.5, 798.2) mg/day. The midazolam equivalents, representative of benzodiazepine requirement, was 279.6 (IQR, 208.8, 384.5) mg/day. The levels of serum creatinine, total bilirubin, lactic acid, SOFA score, and APACHE Ⅱ score at cannulation were found to be associated with opiate or benzodiazepine requirements. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed a linear correlation between midazolam equivalents and morphine equivalents (p < 0.001). In addition, there was a negative linear correlation between Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) score and midazolam equivalents (p = 0.024). Conclusions: The sedation and analgesia requirements of ARDS patients receiving VV-ECMO often increase simultaneously. More large-scale studies are needed to confirm the risk factors for increased sedation and analgesia needs in patients supported on VV-ECMO.


2021 ◽  
pp. 039139882110160
Author(s):  
Kelsey L Browder ◽  
Ayesha Ather ◽  
Komal A Pandya

The objective of this study was to determine if propofol administration to veno-venous (VV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) patients was associated with more incidents of oxygenator failure when compared to patients who did not receive propofol. This was a single center, retrospective cohort study. The primary outcome of the study is oxygenator exchanges per ECMO day in patients who received propofol versus those who did not receive propofol. Patients were 18 years or older on VV-ECMO support between January 1, 2015 and January 31, 2018. Patients were excluded if they required ECMO support for less than 48 h or greater than 21 days. There were five patients in the propofol arm that required oxygenator exchanges and seven patients in the control arm. The total number of oxygenator exchanges per ECMO day was not significantly different between groups ( p = 0.50). When comparing those who required an oxygenator exchange and those who did not, there was no difference in the cumulative dose of propofol received per ECMO hour (0.64 mg/kg/h vs 0.96 mg/kg/h; p = 0.16). Propofol use in patients on VV-ECMO does not appear to increase the number of oxygenator exchanges.


Perfusion ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 026765912110128
Author(s):  
Ismael A Salas De Armas ◽  
Bindu Akkanti ◽  
Pratik B Doshi ◽  
Manish Patel ◽  
Sachin Kumar ◽  
...  

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. e236474
Author(s):  
Mazen Faris Odish ◽  
William Cameron McGuire ◽  
Patricia Thistlethwaite ◽  
Laura E Crotty Alexander

Bleomycin treats malignancies, such as germ cell tumours and Hodgkin lymphoma. While efficacious, it can cause severe drug-induced lung injury. We present a 42-year-old patient with stage IIB seminoma treated with radical orchiectomy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin. His postbleomycin course was complicated by the rapid onset of hypoxic respiratory failure, progressing to acute respiratory distress syndrome and requiring venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) support. Although the patient was treated with high dose systemic steroids and ultra-protective ventilator strategies to minimise ventilator-induced lung injury while on VV-ECMO, his lung injury failed to improve. Care was withdrawn 29 days later. Lung autopsy revealed diffuse organising pneumonia. We found six case reports (including this one) of bleomycin-induced lung injury requiring VV-ECMO with a cumulative survival of 33% (2/6). While VV-ECMO may be used to bridge patients to recovery or lung transplant, the mortality is high.


Author(s):  
Charles Abraham Yankah ◽  
Richard Trimlett ◽  
Elena Sandoval ◽  
Christopher Lotz ◽  
Stephane Ledot ◽  
...  

AbstractOn April 17, 2020, a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) webinar was held by selected international experts in the field of intensive care and specialized respiratory ECMO centers from Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom, which was hosted by the German Heart Centre Berlin/Charité. The experts shared their experience about the treatment of 42 patients with severe acute respiratory failure requiring venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO). Patients were predominantly male (male-to-female ratio: 3:1), with a mean age of 51 years (range: 25–73 years). VV-ECMO support was indicated in 30% of the ventilated COVID-19 patients. The mean time requiring mechanical ventilation was 16.5 days, with a mean duration of ECMO support of 10.6 days. At the time of the webinar, a total of 17 patients had already been decannulated from ECMO, whereas six died with multiorgan failure. 18 patients remained on ECMO, with their final outcomes unknown at the time of the webinar. Hospital mortality was 25.6% (as of April 17, 2020). In this respect, VV-ECMO, provided by expert centers, is a recognized and validated mode of advanced life-support during the recent COVID-19 pandemic with good outcomes.


Perfusion ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 026765912096902
Author(s):  
Steven Kin-ho Ling

Introduction: Different cannulation approaches existed for veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO). We aimed to compare the atrio-femoral (AF) and femoro-atrial (FA) configuration in terms of their flow efficiency and influence on patient outcome. Method: This was a single-centre, retrospective case control study. Adult patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and required VV ECMO service at Tuen Mun Hospital, Hong Kong, from June 2015 to January 2020 were included. Data were collected from our ECMO database for comparison. Results: Between June 2015 and January 2020, eight patients received AF configuration and 19 patients received FA configuration. The maximum achieved flow in the AF group was significantly higher than that in the FA group (4.08 ± 0.57 L/min vs. 3.52 ± 0.58 L/min, p = 0.03). The fluid balance in first 3 days of ECMO was significantly lower in the AF group compared to that in the FA group (1.16 ± 2.71 L vs. 3.46 ± 1.97 L, p = 0.02). As well, the chance for successful awake ECMO was statistically higher in the AF group (p = 0.048). Conclusion: Atrio-femoral configuration in VV ECMO was associated with a higher maximum achieved ECMO flow, less fluid gain in first 3 days of ECMO and more successful awake ECMO.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. D1-D11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly Victor ◽  
Nicholas A Barrett ◽  
Stuart Gillon ◽  
Abigail Gowland ◽  
Christopher I S Meadows ◽  
...  

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an advanced form of organ support indicated in selected cases of severe cardiovascular and respiratory failure. Echocardiography is an invaluable diagnostic and monitoring tool in all aspects of ECMO support. The unique nature of ECMO, and its distinct effects upon cardio-respiratory physiology, requires the echocardiographer to have a sound understanding of the technology and its interaction with the patient. In this article, we introduce the key concepts underpinning commonly used modes of ECMO and discuss the role of echocardiography.CaseA 38-year-old lady, with no significant past medical history, was admitted to her local hospital with group A Streptococcal pneumonia. Rapidly progressive respiratory failure ensued and, despite intubation and maximal ventilatory support, adequate oxygenation proved impossible. She was attended by the regional severe respiratory failure service who established her on veno-venous (VV)-ECMO for respiratory support. Systemic oxygenation improved; however, significant cardiovascular compromise was encountered and echocardiography demonstrated a severe septic cardiomyopathy (ejection fraction <15%, aortic velocity time integral 5.9 cm and mitral regurgitation dP/dt 672 mmHg/s). Her ECMO support was consequently converted to a veno-veno-arterial configuration, thus providing additional haemodynamic support. As the sepsis resolved, arterial ECMO support was weaned under echocardiographic guidance; subsequent resolution of intrinsic respiratory function allowed the weaning of VV-ECMO support. The patient was liberated from ECMO 7 days after hospital admission.


Perfusion ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 026765912110359
Author(s):  
Sagar B Dave ◽  
Kristopher B Deatrick ◽  
Samuel M Galvagno ◽  
Michael A Mazzeffi ◽  
David J Kaczorowski ◽  
...  

Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) has become an important support modality for patients with acute respiratory failure refractory to optimal medical therapy, such as low tidal volume mechanical ventilator support, early paralytic infusion, and early prone positioning. The objective of this cohort study was to investigate the causes and timing of in-hospital mortality in patients on VV ECMO. All patients, excluding trauma and bridge to lung transplant, admitted 8/2014–6/2019 to a specialty ICU for VV ECMO were reviewed. Two hundred twenty-five patients were included. In-hospital mortality was 24.4% ( n = 55). Most non-survivors (46/55, 84%) died prior to lung recovery and decannulation from VV ECMO. Most common cause of death (COD) for patients who died on VV ECMO was removal of life sustaining therapy (LST) in setting of multisystem organ failure (MSOF) ( n = 24). Nine patients died a median of 9 days [6, 11] after decannulation. Most common COD in these patients was palliative withdrawal of LST due to poor prognosis ( n = 3). Non-survivors were older and had worse predictive mortality scores than survivors. We found that death in patients supported with VV ECMO in our study most often occurs prior to decannulation and lung recovery. This study demonstrated that the most common cause of death in patients supported with VV ECMO was removal of LST due MSOF. Acute hemorrhage (systemic or intracranial) was not found to be a common cause of death in our patient population.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Nao Umei ◽  
Shingo Ichiba

The mortality rate for respiratory failure resulting from obesity hypoventilation syndrome is high if it requires ventilator management. We describe a case of severe acute respiratory failure resulting from obesity hypoventilation syndrome (BMI, 60.2 kg/m2) successfully treated with venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO). During ECMO management, a mucus plug was removed by bronchoscopy daily and 18 L of water was removed using diuretics, resulting in weight loss of 24 kg. The patient was weaned from ECMO on day 5, extubated on day 16, and discharged on day 21. The fundamental treatment for obesity hypoventilation syndrome in morbidly obese patients is weight loss. VV-ECMO can be used for respiratory support until weight loss has been achieved.


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