Prognostic Risk Analyses for Postcardiotomy Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Children: A Review of Early and Intermediate Outcomes

Outcomes in Children Who Undergo Postcardiotomy Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Report From the STS-CHSD

BACKGROUND

Children who undergo cardiac surgery may require postcardiotomy extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Although morbidities are considerable, our understanding of outcome determinants is limited. We evaluated associations between patient and perioperative factors with outcomes.

METHODS

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database was queried for patients aged <18 years old who underwent postcardiotomy ECMO from January 2016 through June 2021. The primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge. The secondary outcome was survival without neurologic injury. Logistic regression for binary outcomes and competing risk analysis for survival were used to identify the most important predictors. Variables were selected by stepwise procedure using entry level P = .35. Those with P ≤ .1 were kept in the final model.

RESULTS

Postcardiotomy ECMO was used to support 3181 patients during the same hospitalization as cardiac surgery: (A) intraoperative initiation of ECMO, n = 1206; (B) early postoperative (≤48 hours), n = 936; and (C) late postoperative (>48 hours), n = 1039. The most common primary procedure of the index operation was the Norwood procedure. Of those with intraoperative ECMO, 57% survived to discharge vs 59% with early postoperative ECMO and 42% late postoperative ECMO (χ2(2) = 64, P < .0001, V = 0.14). In all groups, postoperative septicemia, cardiac arrest, and new neurologic injury had the strongest association with mortality, whereas postoperative reintubation and unplanned noncardiac reoperation were associated with higher survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Multiple risk factors impact survival in children who undergo cardiac surgery and postcardiotomy ECMO. ECMO initiated >48 hours after surgery is associated with the poorest outcomes. This is the first step in creating a predictive tool to educate clinicians and families regarding expectations in this high-risk population.

Post cardiotomy extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in pediatric patients: Results and neurodevelopmental outcomes

BACKGROUND

The increasing complexity of congenital cardiac surgery has led to greater utilization of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support for children post-surgery. This study aims to identify risk factors for mortality and brain injury in pediatric patients requiring post-cardiotomy ECMO and to evaluate their neurological outcomes.

METHODS

This retrospective study includes pediatric patients with congenital heart diseases who required ECMO after surgery. Risk factors for in-hospital mortality and brain injury were assessed. Neurodevelopmental status was determined using the Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category (PCPC) Scale at discharge and during follow-up.

RESULTS

Between October 2014 and May 2021, 2651 pediatric patients underwent cardiac surgery, with 90 (3.4%) requiring ECMO. The mean age was 0.6 years, ranging from 1 day to 13 years and 7 months. ECMO was implemented for 45 patients due to CPB weaning failure (NW-CPB), 24 due to postoperative low-cardiac output syndrome (LCOS), and 21 for extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (E-CPR). ECMO weaning was achieved in 73 patients (81%), with an overall mortality rate of 36%. Pre-implant lactate levels (OR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.03-1.25; p = 0.009) and peak bilirubin levels (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.87-1.24; p = 0.69) were risk factors for in-hospital mortality. Survival rates were 79% for LCOS, 60% for NW-CPB, and 48% for E-CPR. Brain injury incidence was 33%, with E-CPR being a significant risk factor (p = 0.006) and NW-CPB being protective (p = 0.001). Follow-up in November 2023 showed significant improvement in neurodevelopmental status (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Elevated pre-implant lactate and elevated bilirubin levels during ECMO are major risk factors for mortality. E-CPR is the primary risk factor for brain injury. Follow-up revealed significant improvements in neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Outcomes of protocol-based management for venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in congenital heart surgery - A 2-decade experience

Background

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a vital mechanical circulatory support used with increasing frequency in complex congenital cardiac surgeries. This study evaluated the outcomes of a protocol-based venoarterial (VA) ECMO program following congenital heart surgeries.

Methods and Results

This was a retrospective review of 198 patients who underwent VA-ECMO after congenital cardiac surgeries at our institute between 2004 and 2023. Patients were divided into pre-ECMO protocol (2004-2017) and post-ECMO protocol (2018-2023) implementation. There were 107 patients in the preprotocol era and 91 in the postprotocol era. We compared weaning from ECMO and survival to hospital discharge between the two eras. An analysis of the factors influencing survival to hospital discharge was also done. ECMO was initiated through the central cannulation technique through median sternotomy in all patients. The median age and weight at initiation were 4 months (interquartile range [IQR] 1-33.5 months) and 4.4 kg (IQR 3.3-10.1 kg), respectively. The successful weaning of the ECMO (n = 67/91, 73.6%) and survival to discharge (n = 43/91, 47.3%) were higher in patients of the postprotocol era. However, it was not statistically significant. Higher risk adjustment for congenital heart surgery-1 >3 and acute kidney injury were independent predictors of poorer survival to hospital discharge.

Conclusions

A protocol-based ECMO program may improve outcomes of successful weaning and survival to discharge in patients undergoing congenital cardiac surgeries.

Empowering Little Fighters: Post-Cardiotomy Pediatric ECMO and the Journey to Recovery

INTRODUCTION

Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) has long been used for cardiorespiratory support in the immediate post-paediatric cardiac surgery period with a 2-3% success as per the ELSO registry. Success in recovery depends upon the optimal delivery of critical care to paediatric patients and a comprehensive healthcare team.

METHODOLOGY

The survival benefit of children placed on central veno arterial (VA) ECMO following elective cardiac surgeries for congenital heart disease (n = 672) was studied in a cohort of 29 (4.3%) cases from the period of Jan 2018 to Dec 2022 in our cardiac surgical centre. Indications for placing these patients on central VA ECMO included inability to wean from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), low cardiac output syndrome, severe pulmonary arterial hypertension, significant bleeding, anaphylaxis, respiratory failure and severe pulmonary edema.

RESULTS

The mean time to initiation of ECMO was less than 5 h and the mean duration of ECMO support was 56 h with a survival rate of 58.3%. Amongst perioperative complications, sepsis and arrhythmia on ECMO were found to be negatively associated with survival. Improvements in the pH, PaO2 levels and serum lactate levels after initiation of ECMO were associated with survival benefits.

CONCLUSION

The early initiation of ECMO for paediatric cardiotomies could be a beacon of hope for families and medical teams confronting these challenging situations. Improvement in indicators of adequate perfusion and ventricular recoveries like pH and serum lactate and absence of arrhythmia and sepsis are associated with good outcomes.

The Utility of Risk Scores in Postcardiotomy Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

BACKGROUND

The use of a venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in the postcardiotomy shock setting (PC-ECMO) can be life-saving. Risk stratification for patients under PC-ECMO is currently challenging. The aim of this study was to assess the discriminatory ability of the different available risk scores for mortality in PC-ECMO patients.

METHODS

Patients aged >18 years undergoing coronary artery bypass, valve surgery, or a combination of these procedures and implanted an ECMO for postcardiotomy shock between January 2017 and June 2022 in a single ELSO registered center were retrospectively included. The STS, Euroscore II, SAVE, modified SAVE, APACHE II, and VIS scores were compared for their discriminatory ability concerning weaning and 30-day survival.

RESULTS

During the study period, 7342 patients underwent coronary bypass or valve surgery, of whom 109 patients with PC-ECMO were included in the analysis. The Euroscore II and STS scores were not associated significantly with 30-day mortality, whereas the SAVE, the modified SAVE, APACHE II, and VIS scores significantly predicted 30-day mortality. The SAVE and the modified SAVE scores showed moderate discrimination ability with AUCs of 0.672 and 0.695, while the APACHE and VIS scores had a satisfactory discriminatory ability with AUCs of 0.727 and 0.844, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Currently used risk scores for PC-ECMO patients do not provide satisfactory predictions for weaning and survival. VIS at the 24th hour can be a valuable parameter for risk analysis and prospective studies can investigate novel PC-ECMO risk scoring systems.

Short-Term Mortality Among Pediatric Patients With Heart Diseases Undergoing Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation serves as a crucial mechanical circulatory support for pediatric patients with severe heart diseases, but the mortality rate remains high. The objective of this study was to assess the short-term mortality in these patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for observational studies that evaluated the short-term mortality of pediatric patients undergoing veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. To estimate short-term mortality, we used random-effects meta-analysis. Furthermore, we conducted meta-regression and binomial regression analyses to investigate the risk factors associated with the outcome of interest. We systematically reviewed 28 eligible references encompassing a total of 1736 patients. The pooled analysis demonstrated a short-term mortality (defined as in-hospital or 30-day mortality) of 45.6% (95% CI, 38.7%-52.4%). We found a significant difference (P<0.001) in mortality rates between acute fulminant myocarditis and congenital heart disease, with acute fulminant myocarditis exhibiting a lower mortality rate. Our findings revealed a negative correlation between older age and weight and short-term mortality in patients undergoing veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Male sex, bleeding, renal damage, and central cannulation were associated with an increased risk of short-term mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

The short-term mortality among pediatric patients undergoing veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for severe heart diseases was 45.6%. Patients with acute fulminant myocarditis exhibited more favorable survival rates compared with those with congenital heart disease. Several risk factors, including male sex, bleeding, renal damage, and central cannulation contributed to an increased risk of short-term mortality. Conversely, older age and greater weight appeared to be protective factors.

Postcardiotomy Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support in Patients with Congenital Heart Disease

Background

This study investigated mortality and morbidity in patients requiring post-cardiotomy extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support after operations for congenital heart disease (CHD).

Methods

CHD patients requiring postoperative ECMO support between May 2011 and May 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into non-survivors and survivors to hospital discharge. Survival outcomes and associations of various factors with in-hospital death were analyzed.

Results

Fifty patients required postoperative ECMO support. Patients' median age and weight at the time of ECMO insertion were 1.85 months (interquartile range [IQR], 0.23-14.5 months) and 3.84 kg (IQR, 3.08-7.88 kg), respectively. Twenty-nine patients (58%) were male. The median duration of ECMO support was 6 days (IQR, 3-12 days). Twenty-nine patients (58%) died on ECMO support or after ECMO weaning, and 21 (42%) survived to hospital discharge. Postoperative complications included renal failure (n=33, 66%), bleeding (n=11, 22%), and sepsis (n=15, 30%). Prolonged ECMO support (p=0.017), renal failure (p=0.005), continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) application (p=0.001), sepsis (p=0.012), bleeding (p=0.032), and high serum lactate (p=0.002) and total bilirubin (p=0.017) levels during ECMO support were associated with higher mortality risk in a univariate analysis. A multivariable analysis identified CRRT application (p=0.013) and a high serum total bilirubin level (p=0.001) as independent risk factors for death.

Conclusion

Postcardiotomy ECMO should be considered as an important therapeutic modality for patients unresponsive to conventional management. ECMO implementation strategies and management in appropriate patients without severe complications, particularly renal failure and/or liver failure, are crucial for achieving positive outcomes.

Outcomes and factors associated with early mortality in pediatric postcardiotomy veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Mortality and morbidity of children received veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) support after cardiac surgery remain high despite remarkable advances in medical management and devices. The purpose of this study was to describe outcomes and risk factors of applying VA-ECMO in the surgical pediatric population. We retrospectively analyzed 85 consecutive pediatric patients (aged <18 years) who received postcardiotomy VA-ECMO from January 2010 to December 2018. Median (IQR) age at ECMO implantation in this cohort was 12.7 (6.4, 43.2) months, median weight was 8.5 (6.0, 12.8) kg, mean ECMO duration was 143.2 ± 81.6 hours and mean hospital length of stay was 48.4 ± 32.4 days. Seventy-five patients (88.2%) were indicated for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock. The successful ECMO weaning rate was 70.6% and in-hospital mortality was 52.9%. The most common diagnosis was transposition of great arteries (n = 18, 21.2%), while acute kidney injury occurred most often (n = 64, 75.3%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that thrombocytopenia, hemolysis, and nosocomial infection were positively correlated with in-hospital mortality. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis presented that thrombocytopenia significantly increased the 180-day mortality in patients with successful weaning. Therefore, multiple factors had adverse effects on prognosis. Patient selection and procedures from ECMO implantation to weaning need to be closely monitored and performed in a timely manner to improve outcome.

Risk factors and outcomes for hyperbilirubinaemia after heart surgery in children

INTRODUCTION

Liver dysfunction, associated with morbidity and mortality, is common in patients with CHD. We investigate risk factors for and outcomes of hyperbilirubinaemia in neonates and infants after cardiac surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a retrospective analysis of neonates and infants undergoing cardiac surgery at our institution between January 2013 and December 2017, we identified those with post-operative conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia. We tested various demographic and surgical risk factors, and use of post-operative interventions, for an association with conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia. We also tested hyperbilirubinaemia for association with post-operative mortality and prolonged length of stay.

RESULTS

We identified 242 post-operative admissions, of which 45 (19%) had conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia. The average conjugated bilirubin level in this group was 2.0 mg/dl versus 0.3 mg/dl for peers without hyperbilirubinaemia. The post-operative use of both extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (OR 4.97, 95% CI 1.89-13.5, p = 0.001) and total parenteral nutrition (OR 2.98, 95% CI 1.34-7.17, p = 0.010) was associated with conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia. No demographic variable analysed was found to be a risk factor. Hyperbilirubinaemia was associated with higher odds of mortality (OR 3.74, 95% CI 2.69-13.8, p = 0.005) and prolonged length of stay (OR 2.87, 95% CI 2.02-7.97, p = 0.005), which were independent of other risk factors.

DISCUSSION

We identified the post-operative use of total parenteral nutrition and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as risk factors for hyperbilirubinaemia. These patients were more likely to experience morbidity and mortality than control peers. As such, bilirubin may be marker for elevated risk of poor post-operative outcomes and should be more frequently measured after cardiac surgery.

Use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in postcardiotomy pediatric patients: parameters affecting survival

AIM

We aimed to investigate the risk factors affecting survival after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use in pediatric postcardiotomy patients.

METHODS

One hundred thirty-three consecutive patients who underwent surgery for congenital heart disease who needed extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

In all, 3,082 patients were operated, of which 140 patients (4.54% of the total number of operations) needed extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Eighty (60.1%) patients were successfully weaned and 51 (38.3%) patients were discharged. Of the 50 patients discharged during the mean follow-up period of 34.8 (0-192.4) months, 6 (12%) patients died. The extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support was instituted in 29 (21.8%) patients for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cardiopulmonary resuscitation, in 44 (33.1%) patients due to the inability to be separated from cardiopulmonary bypass, in 19 (14.3%) patients due to respiratory failure, and in 41 patients due to low cardiac output syndrome. Eighty patients (60.2%) were successfully weaned from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. The remaining 53 (39.8%) patients died on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Mortality was observed in 29 (21.8%) of the 80 patients in the successful weaning group, while the remaining 51 (38.3%) patients were discharged from the hospital. Multivariate analysis showed that double-ventricular physiology increased the rate of successful weaning (odds ratio: 3.4, 95% confidence interval lower: 1.5 and upper: 8, p = 0.004) and prolonged extracorporeal membrane oxygenation durations were a risk factor in successful weaning (odds ratio: 0.9, 95% confidence interval lower: 0.8 and upper: 0.9, p = 0.007). The parameters affecting mortality were the presence of syndrome (odds ratio: 3.8, 95% confidence interval lower: 1.0 and upper: 14.9, p = 0.05), single-ventricular physiology (odds ratio: 5.3, 95% confidence interval lower: 1.8 and upper: 15.3, p = 0.002), and the need for a second extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (odds ratio: 12.9, 95% confidence interval lower: 1.6 and upper: 104.2, p = 0.02). While 1-year survival was 15.2% and 3-year survival was 12.1% in patients with single-ventricular physiology, the respective survival rates were 43.9% and 40.8%.

CONCLUSION

Parameters affecting mortality after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in pediatric postcardiotomy patient group were the presence of a syndrome, multiple runs of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and single-ventricular physiology. Timing of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation initiation, appropriate patient selection, appropriate reintervention or reoperation for patients with correctable pathology, the use of an appropriate cannulation strategy in single-ventricle patients, management of shunt flow, and appropriate interventions to reduce the incidence of complications play key roles in improving survival.