Postcardiotomy Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Does the Cannulation Technique Influence the Outcome?

Objectives: Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) may be cannulated using either central (cannulation of aorta) or peripheral (cannulation of femoral or axillary artery) access. The ideal cannulation approach for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock (PCS) is still unknown. The aim of this study is to compare the outcome of patients with PCS who were supported with central vs. peripheral cannulation.Methods: This is a single-center retrospective data analysis including all VA-ECMO implantations for PCS from January 2011 to December 2017. The central and peripheral approaches were compared in terms of patient characteristics, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, hospitalization length, adverse event rates, and overall survival.Results: Eighty-six patients met the inclusion criteria. Twenty-eight patients (33%) were cannulated using the central approach, and 58 patients (67%) were cannulated using the peripheral approach. Forty-three patients (50%) received VA-ECMO in the operating room and 43 patients (50%) received VA-ECMO in the ICU. Central VA-ECMO group had higher EuroSCORE II (p = 0.007), longer cross-clamp time (p = 0.054), higher rate of open chest after the procedure (p < 0.001), and higher mortality rate (p = 0.02). After propensity score matching, 20 patients in each group were reanalyzed. In the matched groups, no statistically significant differences were observed in the baseline characteristics between the two groups except for a higher rate of open chests in the central ECMO group (p = 0.02). However, no significant differences were observed in the outcome and complications between the groups.Conclusions: This study showed that in postcardiotomy patients requiring VA-ECMO support, similar complication rates and outcome were observed regardless of the cannulation strategy.

Download Full-text

Risk factors of acute renal injury and in-hospital mortality in adult patients with postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock requiring veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: utility of MELD-XI score

Perfusion ◽

10.1177/02676591211006619 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 026765912110066

Author(s):

Xiaochen Ding ◽

Haixiu Xie ◽

Feng Yang ◽

Liangshan Wang ◽

Xiaotong Hou

Keyword(s):

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Hospital Mortality ◽

Cardiogenic Shock ◽

Sofa Score ◽

Adult Patients ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

Survival Group ◽

Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Va Ecmo ◽

Postcardiotomy Cardiogenic Shock

Background: The suitability of model for end-stage liver disease excluding international normalized ratio (MELD-XI) score to predict the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) and in-hospital mortality in adult patients with postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock (PCS) requiring venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) remains uncertain. This study was performed to explore whether the MELD-XI score has the association with the incidence of AKI and in-hospital mortality in these patients. Methods: Adult patients with PCS requiring VA ECMO from January 2012 to December 2017 were enrolled and first classified into AKI group ( n = 151) versus no-AKI group ( n = 132), then classified into survival group ( n = 143) versus no-survival group ( n = 140). Multivariate logistic regressions were performed to identify factors independently associated with AKI and mortality. Baseline data were defined as the first measurement available. Results: Of 283 patients, the incidence of AKI was 53.36%. The in-hospital mortality rates were 63.58% and 33.33% in patients with and without AKI (p < 0.0001). Baseline MELD-XI score, baseline serum total bilirubin (T-Bil), baseline blood urea nitrogen (BUN), baseline left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, and lactate level at ECMO initiation were shown to be associated with the AKI. Vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS) and SOFA score at ECMO initiation as well as renal failure requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) were shown to be associated with in-hospital mortality. Conclusions: The baseline MELD-XI score, baseline BUN, baseline T-Bil, baseline LVEF, SOFA score and lactate at the initiation of ECMO were associated with AKI. AKI, SOFA score, and VIS at the initiation of ECMO were associated with in-hospital mortality, whereas MELD-XI score was not found to be associated with in-hospital mortality. A specific MELD-XI score as a threshold, as well as its sensitivity and specificity, needs to be confirmed in further studies.

Download Full-text

Left Ventricular Unloading Is Associated With Lower Mortality in Patients With Cardiogenic Shock Treated With Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circulationaha.120.048792 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 142 (22) ◽

pp. 2095-2106 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Benedikt Schrage ◽

Peter Moritz Becher ◽

Alexander Bernhardt ◽

Hiram Bezerra ◽

Stefan Blankenberg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Cardiogenic Shock ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Lower Mortality ◽

Severe Bleeding ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Matched Cohort ◽

Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Va Ecmo

Background: Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is increasingly used to treat cardiogenic shock. However, VA-ECMO might hamper myocardial recovery. The Impella unloads the left ventricle. This study aimed to evaluate whether left ventricular unloading in patients with cardiogenic shock treated with VA-ECMO was associated with lower mortality. Methods: Data from 686 consecutive patients with cardiogenic shock treated with VA-ECMO with or without left ventricular unloading using an Impella at 16 tertiary care centers in 4 countries were collected. The association between left ventricular unloading and 30-day mortality was assessed by Cox regression models in a 1:1 propensity score–matched cohort. Results: Left ventricular unloading was used in 337 of the 686 patients (49%). After matching, 255 patients with left ventricular unloading were compared with 255 patients without left ventricular unloading. In the matched cohort, left ventricular unloading was associated with lower 30-day mortality (hazard ratio, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.63–0.98]; P =0.03) without differences in various subgroups. Complications occurred more frequently in patients with left ventricular unloading: severe bleeding in 98 (38.4%) versus 45 (17.9%), access site–related ischemia in 55 (21.6%) versus 31 (12.3%), abdominal compartment in 23 (9.4%) versus 9 (3.7%), and renal replacement therapy in 148 (58.5%) versus 99 (39.1%). Conclusions: In this international, multicenter cohort study, left ventricular unloading was associated with lower mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock treated with VA-ECMO, despite higher complication rates. These findings support use of left ventricular unloading in patients with cardiogenic shock treated with VA-ECMO and call for further validation, ideally in a randomized, controlled trial.

Download Full-text

Double Distal Perfusion Catheters for Severe Limb Ischemia on the IABP Side in Patients Who Received Femoro-Femoral VA-ECMO With IABP

Frontiers in Medicine ◽

10.3389/fmed.2021.692399 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Meng Xin ◽

Liangshan Wang ◽

Xiaqiu Tian ◽

Dengbang Hou ◽

Hong Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Limb Ischemia ◽

Symptomatic Treatment ◽

Acute Limb Ischemia ◽

Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Distal Perfusion ◽

Va Ecmo ◽

Postcardiotomy Cardiogenic Shock

Background: Limited research is available on the pattern of double distal perfusion catheters in patients on venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) with an intra-aortic balloon pump(IABP). Here, we compared the outcomes of a double distal perfusion catheter and conventional treatment in patients who received VA-ECMO with IABP and had severe lower limb ischemia on the IABP side.Methods: We reviewed the data of 15 adult patients with postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock who received VA-ECMO via femoral cannulation combined with an IABP in the contralateral artery that was complicated with severe acute limb ischemia (ALI) on the same side as the IABP between January 2004 and December 2016. Patients underwent symptomatic treatment (conventional group, n = 9) and double distal perfusion catheterization treatment (DDPC group, n = 6). ALI was monitored using near-infrared spectroscopy placed on both calves after double distal perfusion catheters. The outcomes were compared.Results: All 6 patients who underwent double distal perfusion catheters were successfully decannulated without the development of osteofascial compartment syndrome, amputation, or bleeding and infection of the double distal perfusion catheters. The number of patients who weaned from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation successfully in the DDPC and conventional groups was 6 (100%) and 3 (33%, p = 0.028), respectively. The in-hospital mortality rates were 17% and 89% for the DDPC and conventional groups, respectively (p = 0.011).Conclusions: DDPC can be considered a strategy for severe limb ischemia on the IABP side in patients who received femoro-femoral VA-ECMO with IABP.

Download Full-text

Hemostasis, coagulation and thrombin in venoarterial and venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: the HECTIC study

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-87026-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Bruce Cartwright ◽

Hannah M. Bruce ◽

Geoffrey Kershaw ◽

Nancy Cai ◽

Jad Othman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Thrombin Generation ◽

Thrombotic Event ◽

Patient Characteristics ◽

Ecmo Support ◽

University Hospital ◽

Heparin Dose ◽

Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Thrombotic Complications ◽

Va Ecmo

AbstractExtracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support has a high incidence of both bleeding and thrombotic complications. Despite clear differences in patient characteristics and pathologies between veno-venous (VV) and veno-arterial (VA) ECMO support, anticoagulation practices are often the same across modalities. Moreover, there is very little data on their respective coagulation profiles and comparisons of thrombin generation in these patients. This study compares the coagulation profile and thrombin generation between patients supported with either VV and VA ECMO. A prospective cohort study of patients undergoing VA and VV ECMO at an Intensive care department of a university hospital and ECMO referral centre. In addition to routine coagulation testing and heparin monitoring per unit protocol, thromboelastography (TEG), multiplate aggregometry (MEA), calibrated automated thrombinography (CAT) and von-Willebrand’s activity (antigen and activity ratio) were sampled second-daily for 1 week, then weekly thereafter. VA patients had significantly lower platelets counts, fibrinogen, anti-thrombin and clot strength with higher d-dimer levels than VV patients, consistent with a more pronounced consumptive coagulopathy. Thrombin generation was higher in VA than VV patients, and the heparin dose required to suppress thrombin generation was lower in VA patients. There were no significant differences in total bleeding or thrombotic event rates between VV and VA patients when adjusted for days on extracorporeal support. VA patients received a lower median daily heparin dose 8500 IU [IQR 2500–24000] versus VV 28,800 IU [IQR 17,300–40,800.00]; < 0.001. Twenty-eight patients (72%) survived to hospital discharge; comprising 53% of VA patients and 77% of VV patients. Significant differences between the coagulation profiles of VA and VV patients exist, and anticoagulation strategies for patients of these modalities should be different. Further research into the development of tailored anticoagulation strategies that include the mode of ECMO support need to be completed.

Download Full-text

Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation with intra-aortic balloon pump for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Perfusion ◽

10.1177/02676591211042568 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 026765912110425

Author(s):

Daochao Huang ◽

Anyi Xu ◽

QiongChan Guan ◽

Jie Qin ◽

Chuang Zhang

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Cardiogenic Shock ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Intra Aortic Balloon Pump ◽

Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Va Ecmo ◽

Postcardiotomy Cardiogenic Shock

Objective: Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) is currently recommended as a strategy to address the increased afterload in patients who received venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). The benefit of VA-ECMO with IABP in postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock is inconclusive. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to assess the influence of VA-ECMO with IABP for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock (PCS). Methods: The Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Embase were searched for all articles published from 1 January, 1964 to July 11, 2020. Retrospective cohort studies targeting the comparison of VA-ECMO with IABP and isolated VA-ECMO were included in this study. Results: We included 2251 patients in the present study (917 patients in the VA-ECMO with IABP group and 1334 patients in the isolated VA-ECMO group). Deaths occurred in 589 of 917 patients (64.2%) in the VA-ECMO with IABP group and occurred in 885 of 1334 patients (66.3%) in isolated VA-ECMO group. Pooling the results of all studies showed that VA-ECMO with IABP was not related to a reduced in-hospital mortality in patients who received VA-ECMO for PCS (RR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.86–1.04; p = 0.231). In addition, VA-ECMO with IABP was not related to an increased rate of VA-ECMO weaning in patients who received VA-ECMO for PCS (RR, 1.28; 95% CI, 0.99–1.66; p = 0.058). Conclusions: This study indicates that VA-ECMO with IABP did not improve either in-hospital survival or weaning for VA-ECMO in postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock patients.

Download Full-text

Awake venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for refractory cardiogenic shock

European Heart Journal Acute Cardiovascular Care ◽

10.1093/ehjacc/zuab018 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Santiago Montero ◽

Florent Huang ◽

Mercedes Rivas-Lasarte ◽

Juliette Chommeloux ◽

Pierre Demondion ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Cardiogenic Shock ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

High Morbidity ◽

Prognostic Impact ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Refractory Cardiogenic Shock ◽

Va Ecmo

Abstract Background Venoarterial-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is currently one of the first-line therapies for refractory cardiogenic shock (CS), but its applicability is undermined by the high morbidity associated with its complications, especially those related to mechanical ventilation (MV). We aimed to assess the prognostic impact of keeping patients in refractory CS awake at cannulation and during the VA-ECMO run. Methods A 7-year database of patients given peripheral VA-ECMO support was used to conduct a propensity-score (PS)-matched analysis to balance their clinical profiles. Patients were classified as ‘awake ECMO’ or ‘non-awake ECMO’, respectively, if invasive MV was used during ≤50% or >50% of the VA-ECMO run. Primary outcomes included ventilator-associated pneumonia and ECMO-related complication rates, and secondary outcomes were 60-day and 1-year mortality. A multivariate logistic-regression analysis was used to identify whether MV at cannulation was independently associated with 60-day mortality. Results Among 231 patients included, 91 (39%) were ‘awake’ and 140 (61%) ‘non-awake’. After PS-matching adjustment, the ‘awake ECMO’ group had significantly lower rates of pneumonia (35% vs. 59%, P = 0.017), tracheostomy, renal replacement therapy, and less antibiotic and sedative consumption. This strategy was also associated with reduced 60-day (20% vs. 41%, P = 0.018) and 1-year mortality rates (31% vs. 54%, P = 0.021) compared to the ‘non-awake’ group, respectively. Lastly, MV at ECMO cannulation was independently associated with 60-day mortality. Conclusion An ‘awake ECMO’ management in VA-ECMO-supported CS patients is feasible, safe, and associated with improved short- and long-term outcomes.

Download Full-text

Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation via Direct Axillary Artery Cannulation

Innovations Technology and Techniques in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery ◽

10.1177/15569845211012655 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 155698452110126

Author(s):

Aakash Shah ◽

Ronson J. Madathil ◽

Bartley P. Griffith ◽

David J. Kaczorowski

Keyword(s):

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Axillary Artery ◽

Effective Means ◽

Severe Pulmonary Hypertension ◽

Artery Cannulation ◽

Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Femoral Vessels ◽

Distal Perfusion ◽

Va Ecmo

Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is an effective means of support for patients awaiting cardiac or cardiopulmonary transplantation. Typically, peripheral cannulation via the femoral vessels is preferred. However, an alternative is use of the axillary or subclavian artery, which is typically performed via a graft. Here we present the case of a patient who required VA-ECMO for cardiogenic shock with severe pulmonary hypertension as a bridge to heart-lung transplantation. Initially cannulated via the femoral artery, he was converted to a direct axillary cannulation strategy with a distal perfusion catheter and successfully bridged to transplantation. This technique avoids the use of an interposition graft and mitigates problems associated with it.

Download Full-text

Caveats to Acute Imaging for Acute Stroke in the Setting of Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Neurology Clinical Practice ◽

10.1212/cpj.0000000000001103 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 10.1212/CPJ.0000000000001103

Author(s):

Manuel Viamonte ◽

John Yu ◽

Franklin D Echevarria ◽

Lidia Nagae ◽

Teddy S Youn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Axillary Artery ◽

Cerebrovascular Disorders ◽

High Rate ◽

Neurologic Complications ◽

Ecmo Patient ◽

Artery Cannulation ◽

Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Va Ecmo

Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is increasingly used for cardiorespiratory support in medically refractory cases. The high rate of neurologic complications, specifically cerebrovascular disorders such as acute ischemic stroke, in VA-ECMO patients frequently prompts the acquisition of neuroimaging studies such as computed tomography with angiography and perfusion imaging (CTA and CTP). Clinicians must be familiar with the ECMO-related artifacts when interpreting such studies. Here we describe a case of asymmetric contrast opacification in a VA-ECMO patient with axillary artery cannulation.

Download Full-text

Right axillary artery cannulation for venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: a retrospective single centre observational study

European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery ◽

10.1093/ejcts/ezaa397 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Angelo Pisani ◽

Wael Braham ◽

Carlotta Brega ◽

Moklhes Lajmi ◽

Sophie Provenchere ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Axillary Artery ◽

Ecmo Support ◽

Control Group ◽

Emergency Setting ◽

Systemic Complications ◽

Artery Cannulation ◽

Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ◽

Va Ecmo

Abstract OBJECTIVES Our goal was to assess the safety, outcomes and complication rate of axillary artery cannulation for venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on data obtained from the review of medical charts of all consecutive patients undergoing VA-ECMO implantation between January 2013 and December 2017 at a teaching hospital. Only patients with right axillary VA-ECMO implantation in a non-emergency setting were included. Post-procedural outcomes and local and systemic complications were analysed. RESULTS One hundred and seventy-four [131 male (75.3%), 43 female (24.7%); mean age 56.8 ± 15.1 years] patients underwent femoral-axillary VA-ECMO. Indications were cardiogenic shock from any cause (n = 78, 44.8%) or post-cardiotomy syndrome (n = 96, 55.2%). Fifty-three (30.5%) patients died while on VA-ECMO support. At the time of VA-ECMO ablation, 89 (51.1%) patients had recovered; 13 (7.5%) patients were bridged to a long-term mechanical support device and 19 (10.9%) patients underwent heart transplants. Thirty-day and 1-year mortality was 36.2% (n = 63) and 49.4% (n = 86), respectively. The 1-year survival rate of patients who were weaned from VA-ECMO support was 72.7% (n = 88). The complications of axillary cannulation were bleeding (n = 7, 4%), local infection (n = 3, 1.7%), upper limb ischaemia (n = 2, 1.1%) and brachial plexus injury (n = 1, 0.6%). Left ventricle unloading was required for 9 (5.2%) patients. The median duration of VA-ECMO support was 7 (range 1–26) days. CONCLUSIONS Right axillary artery cannulation is a safe and reliable method for VA-ECMO support with a low rate of local complications. In the absence of a control group with femoro-femoral cannulation, no definitive conclusion about the superiority of axillary over femoral cannulation can be drawn.

Download Full-text