Survival of septic adults compared with nonseptic adults receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for cardiopulmonary failure: A propensity-matched analysis

Prognosis of Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Mixed, Cardiogenic and Septic Shock

Mixed cardiogenic-septic shock (MS), defined as the combination of cardiogenic (CS) and septic (SS) shock, is often encountered in cardiac intensive care units. Herein, the authors compared the impact of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) in MS, CS, and SS. Of 1,023 patients who received VA-ECMO from January 2012 to February 2020 at a single center, 211 with pulmonary embolism, hypovolemic shock, aortic dissection, and unknown causes of shock were excluded. The remaining 812 patients were grouped based on the cause of shock at VA-ECMO application: i) MS (n = 246, 30.3%), ii) CS (n = 466, 57.4%), iii) SS (n = 100, 12.3%). The MS group was younger and had lower left ventricular ejection fraction than the CS or SS group did. The 30 day and 1 year mortalities were the highest in SS (30 day mortality: 50.4% vs. 43.3% vs. 69.0%, p < 0.001 for MS versus CS versus SS, respectively; 1 year mortality: 67.5% vs. 53.2% vs. 81.0%, p < 0.001 for MS versus CS versus SS, respectively). Posthoc analysis showed that the 30 day mortality of MS was not different from CS, while the 1 year mortality of MS was worse than CS but better than SS. Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation application for MS may help improve survival and should therefore be considered if indicated.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Cardiogenic shock – A Review

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation has been used in adult in cardiogenic shock due to myocardial infarction, myocardiopathy, myocarditis, or inability to come off cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) after cardiac surgery.3 ECMO can provide partial or total support, but it is temporary. It is not a definitive treatment but a life support system that allows time for evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of the condition that causes heart failure. With high incidence of late stage coronary artery disease and infective myocarditis in India, the usage of ECMO for refractory cardiogenic shock is going to be a promising approach for effective management of refractory heat failure .ECMO has proven to be an effective therapeutic modality in managing cardiovascular collapse as a bridge to recovery or more definitive treatment options.

[Resuscitation strategy for patients with sepsis and septic shock]

Fluid and vasopressor resuscitation is, along with antimicrobial therapy and control of the focus of infection, a basic issue of the treatment of sepsis and septic shock. There is currently no accepted protocol that we can follow for the resuscitation of these patients and the Surviving Sepsis Campaign proposes controversial measures and without sufficient evidence support to establish firm recommendations. We propose a resuscitation strategy adapted to the situation of each patient: in the patient in whom community sepsis is suspected, we consider that the early administration of 30mL/kg of crystalloids is effective and safe; in the patient with nosocomial sepsis, we must carry out a more in-depth evaluation before initiating aggressive resuscitation. In patients who do not respond to initial resuscitation, it is necessary to increase monitoring level and, depending on the hemodynamic profile, administer more fluids, a second vasopressor or inotropes.

A Systematic Review of Preexisting Sepsis and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

We retrospectively reviewed all pertinent extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) studies (January 1995 to September 2017) of adults with sepsis as a primary indication for intervention and its association with morbidity and mortality. Collected data included study type, ECMO configuration, outcomes, effect size, and other features. Advanced age was a risk factor for death. Compared with nonsurvivors, survivors had a lower median Sepsis-Related Organ Failure Assessment score on day 3 (15 vs. 18, p = 0.01). Biomarkers in survivors and nonsurvivors, respectively, were peak lactate (from two studies: 4.5 vs. 15.1 mmol/L, p = 0.03; 3.6 ± 3.7 vs. 3.3 ± 2.4 mmol/L, p = 0.850) and procalcitonin levels (41 vs. 164 ng/ml, p = 0.008). Bacteremia was associated with catheter colonization, and 90.5% of a group without bloodstream infections survived to discharge; ECMO weaning was possible for less than half the bloodstream infection group. Myocarditis portended favorable outcomes for patients with sepsis who received ECMO. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was used in immunosuppressed patients with refractory cardiopulmonary insufficiency from severe sepsis with successful weaning from ECMO for most patients. Overall survival varied substantially among studies (15.38-71.43%). Existing studies do not present well-defined patterns supporting use of ECMO in sepsis because of sample sizes and disparate study designs.

Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membranous Oxygenation: Treatment Option for Sepsis-Induced Cardiogenic Shock? A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVES

Clinicians often encounter adult patients with septic shock who fail to respond to fluid therapy and vasopressors. There is an increasing interest in venoarterial extracorporeal membranous oxygenation in the treatment of patients with septic shock, but its outcomes and safety remain unclear. The aim of this study is to describe in-hospital mortality and complication rate in adult patients with septic shock who underwent venoarterial extracorporeal membranous oxygenation, and to identify patients who may potentially benefit from venoarterial extracorporeal membranous oxygenation.

DATA SOURCES

The protocol for this systematic review was registered at International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42018098848). We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Igaku Chuo Zasshi for studies of any design in which patients with septic shock were treated with venoarterial extracorporeal membranous oxygenation. Our search was updated on October 6, 2019.

STUDY SELECTION

Two independent reviewers assessed whether titles and abstracts met the eligibility criteria. Studies were included when patients met the following criteria: 1) age 18 years old or older; 2) septic shock; and 3) treated with venoarterial extracorporeal membranous oxygenation as hemodynamic support. When there were disagreements between reviewers, the full text was reviewed, and discussion was continued until a consensus was reached.

DATA EXTRACTION

Two authors independently extracted the selected patient and study characteristics and outcomes.

DATA SYNTHESIS

A total of 6,457 studies were screened. Six retrospective studies were included. The in-hospital mortality rate of patients with septic shock who underwent venoarterial extracorporeal membranous oxygenation was 76.7% (188/245). Four studies provided cardiac function with left ventricular ejection fraction and/or cardiac index. In two of these four studies where median left ventricular ejection fraction and cardiac index were 16.0% and 1.3 L/min/m and median left ventricular ejection fraction and mean cardiac index were 30.0% and 2.4 L/min/m, respectively, the in-hospital mortalities were markedly lower (14.8% and 28.6%, respectively) than the other two studies (78.1% and 91.5%, respectively) that included populations with median left ventricular ejection fraction of 25.0% and mean cardiac index of 2.1 L/min/m. Complications were reported in five studies (39 events/174 cases), hemorrhage (22 events/174 cases) being the most common.

CONCLUSIONS

Venoarterial extracorporeal membranous oxygenation remains a controversial treatment strategy in septic shock. The reported in-hospital mortality rates in patients with sepsis-induced cardiogenic shock who underwent venoarterial extracorporeal membranous oxygenation were quite inconsistent. There is a need for well-designed studies to assess the benefit and safety of venoarterial extracorporeal membranous oxygenation in patients with sepsis-induced cardiogenic shock.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Adults With Refractory Septic Shock

Because of a severe dysregulation of the host response to infection, septic shock may induce a profound imbalance between oxygen consumption and delivery, which in some cases may be refractory to conventional support measures. In this setting, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) may help to restore this ratio. Indeed, in neonates and children, this technique is already established as a valid salvage therapy. In spite of the rapid growth in the use of ECMO in recent years, the evidence of its benefits in adult patients is weak, particularly in cases of refractory septic shock. Nevertheless, several case series have reported good outcomes in selected cases with specific management. Here we explore the links between sepsis and ECMO, starting with the basic biology underlying the two entities. We then review the published literature on the use of extracorporeal support in adult patients with septic shock and finally conclude with a review of the key points of management that can optimize the results after this critical situation.

Outcomes of Adult Patients With Septic Shock Undergoing Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Therapy

BACKGROUND

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been shown to provide benefits in children, but not adults, with septic shock. This study described the clinical outcomes of adults in septic shock who underwent ECMO.

METHODS

This study retrospectively investigated adults who were supported on venoarterial or venovenous modes of ECMO and who had septic shock at the time of cannulation from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2016 at a quaternary medical center in the United States. The primary outcomes were rate of survival to hospital discharge and time to survival using Kaplan-Meier survival estimates. This study analyzed survival by mode, previous cardiac arrest, and timing of cannulation (<96 and ≥96 hours after admission to the intensive care unit). Secondary outcomes were complications and days of ECMO support, length of stay in the intensive care unit, and hospitalization days.

RESULTS

Of 243 patients supported on ECMO during this 7-year period, 32 met the criteria for septic shock, and the majority had a pulmonary source of infection (72%). The most common mode of support was venovenous ECMO (65%), and median ejection fraction was 51%. Median time on ECMO was 5.8 days (interquartile range, 2.6, 11.3 days). Survival to hospital discharge was 13 of 32 (41%), whereas median survival was 14.5 days (interquartile range, 5.2, 23.7 days). There was no statistically significant difference in survival by subgroup, including ECMO mode. Health care-associated infections were frequent (25%).

CONCLUSIONS

This cohort of patients undergoing ECMO had equivalent median survival compared with literature-based estimates of other cohorts of patients with septic shock.

Outcomes After Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation of Pediatric In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Report From the Get With the Guidelines-Resuscitation and the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registries

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to determine cardiac arrest- and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-related risk factors associated with unfavorable outcomes after extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

DESIGN

We performed an analysis of merged data from the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization and the American Heart Association Get With the Guidelines-Resuscitation registries.

SETTING

A total of 32 hospitals reporting to both registries between 2000 and 2014.

PATIENTS

Children younger than 18 years old who suffered in-hospital cardiac arrest and underwent extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Of the 593 children included in the final cohort, 240 (40.5%) died prior to decannulation from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and 352 (59.4%) died prior to hospital discharge. A noncardiac diagnosis and preexisting renal insufficiency were associated with increased odds of death (adjusted odds ratio, 1.85 [95% CI, 1.19-2.89] and 4.74 [95% CI, 2.06-10.9], respectively). The median time from onset of the cardiopulmonary resuscitation event to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation initiation was 48 minutes (interquartile range, 28-70 min). Longer time from onset of the cardiopulmonary resuscitation event to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation initiation was associated with higher odds of death prior to hospital discharge (adjusted odds ratio for each 5 additional minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation prior to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation initiation, 1.04 [95% CI, 1.01-1.07]). Each individual adverse event documented during the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation course, including neurologic, pulmonary, renal, metabolic, cardiovascular and hemorrhagic, was associated with higher odds of death, with higher odds as the cumulative number of documented adverse events during the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation course increased.

CONCLUSIONS

Outcomes after extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation reported by linking two national registries are encouraging. Noncardiac diagnoses, preexisting renal insufficiency, longer time from onset of the cardiopulmonary resuscitation event to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation initiation, and adverse events during the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation course are associated with worse outcomes.

ECMO for Neonatal Sepsis in 2019

Sepsis and septic shock in newborns causes mortality and morbidity depending on the organism and primary site. ECMO provides cardiorespiratory support to allow adequate organ perfusion during the time for antibiotics and source control surgery (if needed) to occur. ECMO mode and cannulation site vary depending on support required and local preference. Earlier and more aggressive use of ECMO can improve survival.

Advances in Vasodilatory Shock: A Concise Review

Vasodilatory shock is a critical manifestation of cardiovascular failure. There is uncontrolled vasodilation and vascular hyporesponsiveness to endogenous vasoconstrictors, causing the failure of physiologic vasoregulatory mechanisms. Unfortunately, only few randomized studies exist to guide clinical management and hemodynamic stabilization in patients who do not respond to the standard approach of managing vasodilatory shock. The present review offers the latest updates in management of this important clinical entity and a guidance framework for future research.

Retrospective study on the effects of the prognosis of patients treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation combined with continuous renal replacement therapy

Background

Patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment often have severe fluid overload and electrolyte imbalances and may even suffer acute kidney injury (AKI). It is often necessary to use continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). In this study, we aimed to retrospectively analyze the prognosis of patients treated with ECMO combined with CRRT and to find the independent factors that affect the survival rate.

Methods

There were 32 patients who were treated with ECMO combined with CRRT in our hospital from January 2007 to December 2017 who were analyzed. All of the patients were divided into a survival group and death group. The clinical indicators and biochemical indexes of the two groups were observed, and their differences were compared. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to determine the independent risk factors.

Results

The fluid balance at ECMO day 3, SOFA score and lactate at CRRT initiation, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score at ECMO weaning, CRRT duration, ECMO to CRRT interval, mechanical ventilation (MV) duration, length of ICU, and overall hospital length of stay were statistically significant (P<0.05). The clinical biochemical indexes at CRRT initiation and ECMO weaning [serum creatinine, pH, white blood cell (WBC), hemoglobin (Hb), bilirubin]; patient's age, gender and BMI; and the fluid balance at ECMO days 1 and 7 were not statistically significance (P>0.05). The fluid balance at ECMO day 3 and lactate at CRRT initiation by multivariable logistic regression analysis were independent risk factors affecting patient prognosis.

Conclusions

The fluid balance at ECMO day 3 and lactate at CRRT initiation are the prognosis independent risk factors for ECMO + CRRT patients.

Early changes in coagulation profiles and lactate levels in patients with septic shock undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Background

To investigate the impact of coagulation profiles and lactate levels in patients with septic shock undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

Methods

A retrospective analysis of coagulation profiles, including disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) score, before and during 48 h of ECMO support [on day 0 (pre-ECMO), day 1, and day 2], was conducted in patients with septic shock undergoing ECMO.

Results

A total of 37 patients were included, and 15 (40.5%) patients survived. The initial DIC scores did not change in either the pre-ECMO overt-DIC (n=15) or non-overt-DIC (n=22) group after ECMO commencement. However, the DIC scores were significantly higher, at all three time-points, in non-survivors than in survivors. Additionally, the lactate levels improved considerably in the pre-ECMO non-overt-DIC group and in survivors during ECMO support, but not in the pre-ECMO overt DIC group or non-survivors. On a multivariate analysis, the pre-ECMO DIC score was significantly associated with hospital death [odds ratio (OR), 3.935; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.170-13.230]. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves revealed that the combination of pre-ECMO DIC score plus lactate level was the best predictor of hospital death (area under the curve, 0.879; 0.771-0.987); patients with combined scores >9.35 (the optimal cut-off) exhibited a three-fold higher mortality rate than did those with lower scores (81.8% vs. 26.7%, P=0.001).

Conclusions

During the early period of ECMO support, the coagulation profiles and lactate levels exhibited different trajectories in survivors and non-survivors. Furthermore, the pre-ECMO DIC score plus lactate level was the best predictor of hospital death.

Pathogens and outcomes in pediatric septic shock patients supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

BACKGROUND

Refractory septic shock is the leading cause of mortality in children. There is limited evidence to support extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) use in pediatric septic shock. We described the etiology and outcomes of septic patients in our institution and attempted to find predictive factors.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 55 pediatric patients with septic shock who required ECMO support in a tertiary medical center from 2008 to 2015. Septic shock was defined as culture proved or clinical suspected sepsis with hypotension or end-organ hypoperfusion. ECMO would be applied when pediatric advanced life support steps were performed thoroughly without clinical response. Patient's demographics, laboratory parameters before and after ECMO, and outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

Among 55 children with ECMO support, 31% of them survived on discharge. For 25 immunocompromised patients, causal pathogens were found in 17 patients: 7 due to bacteremia, 9 with preexisting virus infections and one with invasive fungal infection. Among 30 previously healthy patients, causal pathogens were found in 18 patients: 10 due to bacteremia (the most common was pneumococcus), 7 with preexisting virus infections including influenza (n = 4), adenovirus (n = 2), RSV, and 1 patient had mixed virus and bacterial infections. Predictive factors associated with death were arterial blood gas pH, CO₂ and Glasgow Coma Scale (p < 0.05). SOFA score was a valuable predictive scoring system for outcome prediction (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric patients with refractory septic shock had high mortality rate and ECMO could be used as a rescue modality, and SOFA score could be applied to predict outcomes.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of complications and mortality of veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for refractory acute respiratory distress syndrome

Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for refractory acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a rapidly expanding technique. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the most recent literature to analyse complications and hospital mortality associated with this technique. Using the PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analysis, MEDLINE and EMBASE were systematically searched for studies reporting complications and hospital mortality of adult patients receiving veno-venous ECMO for severe and refractory ARDS. Studies were screened for low bias risk and assessed for study size effect. Meta-analytic pooled estimation of study variables was performed using a weighted random effects model for study size. Models with potential moderators were explored using random effects meta-regression. Twelve studies fulfilled inclusion criteria, representing a population of 1042 patients with refractory ARDS. Pooled mortality at hospital discharge was 37.7% (CI 95% = 31.8–44.1; I² = 74.2%). Adjusted mortality including one imputable missing study was 39.3% (CI 95% = 33.1–45.9). Meta-regression model combining patient age, year of study realization, mechanical ventilation (MV) days and prone positioning before veno-venous ECMO was associated with hospital mortality (p < 0.001; R² = 0.80). Patient age (b = 0.053; p = 0.01) and maximum cannula size during treatment (b = −0.075; p = 0.008) were also independently associated with mortality. Studies reporting H1N1 patients presented inferior hospital mortality (24.8 vs 40.6%; p = 0.027). Complication rate was 40.2% (CI 95% = 25.8–56.5), being bleeding the most frequent 29.3% (CI 95% = 20.8–39.6). Mortality due to complications was 6.9% (CI 95% = 4.1–11.2). Mechanical complications were present in 10.9% of cases (CI 95% = 4.7–23.5), being oxygenator failure the most prevalent (12.8%; CI 95% = 7.1–21.7). Despite initial severity, significant portion of patients treated with veno-venous ECMO survive hospital discharge. Patient age, H1N1-ARDS and cannula size are independently associated with hospital mortality. Combined effect of patient age, year of study realization, MV days and prone positioning before veno-venous ECMO influence patient outcome, and although medical complications are frequent, their impact on mortality is limited.

The Simplified Acute Physiology Score II as a Predictor of Mortality in Patients Who Underwent Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Septic Shock

BACKGROUND

The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for patients with septic shock is controversial. The outcomes are favorable in children but heterogeneous in adults. The present study aimed to analyze the outcomes of adult patients who underwent ECMO for septic shock, and to determine the factors associated with prognosis.

METHODS

We respectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent ECMO for septic shock between January 2007 and December 2013. Patients were divided into survivor and nonsurvivor groups based on survival to hospital discharge. The patient characteristics before and during ECMO were compared between the groups. Independent risk factors for mortality were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression, receiver-operating characteristic curves, and Kaplan-Meier analysis.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight patients were treated with venoarterial (n = 21), venovenous (n = 4), or venoarteriovenous (n = 3) mode ECMO. The overall survival rate to hospital discharge was 35.7%. The Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS II) and prealbumin were predictors of survival to hospital discharge. The optimal cutoff value for SAPS II was 80 (area under the curve 0.80, p = 0.010). Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that the cumulative survival rate at hospital discharge and at 54-month follow-up was significantly higher among patients with SAPS II of 80 or less compared with patients with SAPS II greater than 80 (66.7% versus 12.5% and 58.3% versus 12.5%, respectively; p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

It is still difficult to conclude whether ECMO should be recommended as therapy for adult patients with septic shock. However, a SAPS II score of 80 or less may be an indicator of favorable outcomes with the use of ECMO.

Predictors of survival in adults undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation with severe infections

BACKGROUND

To identify novel factors associated with the survival of septic adults receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to improve patient selection and outcomes.

METHODS

Cases were identified from our ECMO registry from 2001 to 2011 if they were ≥16 years and received ECMO for life-threatening sepsis.

RESULTS

A total of 151 adults with a median (25th-75th percentile) age of 51 (37-63) years were analyzed. Pneumonia (50%), myocarditis (20%), and primary bloodstream infections (15%) were the main types of infection, caused by predominantly nonfermentative Gram-negative bacteria (NFGNB) (26%), Enterobacteriaceae (24%), and Gram-positive cocci (21%). The in-hospital mortality of patients with NFGNB, enteric, and Gram-positive bacterial pneumonias were 100%, 68%, and 14%, respectively. Using the Cox-proportional hazards model, we found that age >75 years (hazard ratio [HR], 1.98, 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.30-3.02), pre-ECMO dialysis (HR, 3.20, 95% CI, 1.34-7.63), longer door-to-ECMO intervals (HR, 1.01, 95% CI, 1.00-1.02), venoarterial mode (HR, 2.58, 95% CI, 1.55-4.21), and fungal (HR, 2.83, 95% CI, 1.36-5.88) and NFGNB sepsis (HR, 2.48, 95% CI, 1.44-4.27) were associated with mortality. Gram-positive sepsis (HR, 0.20, 95% CI, 0.08-0.57), myocarditis (HR, 0.12, 95% CI, 0.06-0.27), pneumonia (HR, 0.54, 95% CI, 0.30-0.90), and effective empirical antimicrobial therapy were predictive of survival (HR, 0.57, 95% CI, 0.37-0.89); all P < .05. Excluding the 67 heavily premorbid patients, we found that 54% survived ECMO and 42% survived to discharge, with significantly more survivors with door-to-ECMO times of ≤96 hours than >96 hours (59% vs 15%, P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Better outcomes were associated with door-to ECMO times of 96 hours or less, for Gram-positive rather than Gram-negative sepsis, and for pneumonia rather than primary bloodstream infections.

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To discuss the role of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in patients with cardiac arrest.

RECENT FINDINGS

Return to spontaneous circulation dramatically decreases with the duration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). In this context, it has been proposed to implement venoarterial ECMO in order to assist CPR (ECPR) both in inhospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) and in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

SUMMARY

This review highlights that ECPR is feasible for both IHCA and OHCA. In the recent series, the outcome of ECPR in IHCA is satisfactory, with survival rates good with neurologic outcome reaching the 40-50% range. All series converge in highlighting that time from cardiac arrest to ECMO flow is a critical determinant of outcome, with survival rates of 50% when initiated within 30 min of IHCA, 30% between 30 and 60 min, and 18% after 60 min. Results of ECPR in OHCA are more challenging. Recent series suggest that good outcome can be obtained in 15-20% of the patients, provided that time from arrest to ECMO is shorter than 60 min. Duration of cardiac arrest seems to be more important than location of cardiac arrest. ECPR thus seems to be a valuable option in selected cases.

Short-term result of renal transplantation using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-supported brain-dead donors

BACKGROUND

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is now widely used to maintain hemodynamic stability after traumatic events among medical centers. It remains unclear whether renal transplantation using ECMO-supported donors carries poorer outcomes.

METHODS

From February 2010 to March 2013, we performed 9 renal transplantations (6 females and 3 males) from 5 ECMO-supported donors. Demographic data and clinical outcomes were retrospectively analyzed through medical chart review.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period was 15 ± 9 months (range: 8-37). Eight of the 9 grafts remained functioning within the follow-up period. One (11.1%) graft loss was noted after repeated acute rejection. Acute rejection occurred in 3/9 (33%) of cases. Delayed graft function was also observed in 3/9 (33%) of cases.

CONCLUSION

Renal transplantation using ECMO-supported brain-dead donors was not associated with an unacceptably high rate of graft loss in this short-term follow-up. It might be an alternative way to expand donor pools.

Strategies to improve drug development for sepsis

Sepsis, a common and potentially fatal systemic illness, is triggered by microbial infection and often leads to impaired function of the lungs, kidneys or other vital organs. Since the early 1980s, a large number of therapeutic agents for the treatment of sepsis have been evaluated in randomized controlled clinical trials. With few exceptions, the results from these trials have been disappointing, and no specific therapeutic agent is currently approved for the treatment of sepsis. To improve upon this dismal record, investigators will need to identify more suitable therapeutic targets, improve their approaches for selecting candidate compounds for clinical development and adopt better designs for clinical trials.

Successful Use of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in an Adult Patient With Toxic Shock-Induced Heart Failure

Cardiomyopathy secondary to toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening problem. We report the case of a 51-year-old male who presented with profound cardiogenic shock and multiorgan failure that could not be managed by conventional therapy with intravenous fluids, vasopressors and inotropes. Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) was instituted as a bridge to recovery. After administration of antibiotics and intravenous immunoglobulin, the patient’s condition improved and he was successfully weaned off ECMO after 6 days. The patient recovered from multiorgan failure, and left ventricular ejection fraction improved from <10% pre-ECMO to 65% 8 months after discharge. This case supports the view that VA ECMO can be used successfully to support vital organ perfusion in patients with profound but reversible cardiomyopathy attributed to TSS.