Outcomes of Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Among Children With Noncardiac Illness Categories

Survival and Neurocognitive Outcomes After Noncardiac Illness Indications for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Young Children

This referral center prospective inception cohort study included 84 consecutive children having extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for noncardiac illness indications at the age of less than 6 years from 2000 to 2017. Long-term outcomes were survival, neurocognitive (Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scales of Intelligence) and functional (General Adaptive Composite) scores, and disability, with optimal outcome defined as scores greater than or equal to 80 and without disability. Age at cannulation was 551 (standard deviation [SD] = 571) days, 40 (47.6%) were male, 12 (14.3%) had known chromosomal abnormality, and 15 (17.9%) had nonchromosomal congenital abnormality. Survival was 45 (53.6%) to hospital discharge, and 41 (48.8%) to age 6 years. In 40/41 (97.6%) survivors with follow-up, at mean age of 56.1 (SD = 5.1) months, neurocognitive and functional scores were shifted to the left, with 30-42.5% having a score greater than 2 SD below population norms. Optimal outcome occurred in 11/40 (27.5%) survivors, and 11/84 (13.1%) overall. On multiple regression full-scale intelligence quotient was associated with longer time in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) pre-ECMO (OR per hour -0.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.03 to -0.01; p = 0.005), known chromosomal abnormality (odds ratio [OR] = -18.99, 95% CI = -29.04 to -8.04; p = 0.001), and seizure pre-ECMO (OR = -17.00, 95% CI = -30.00 to -4.00; p = 0.012). Predictors of mortality included peak lactate on ECMO and nonchromosomal congenital abnormality. Findings may help with ECMO decision-making and counseling.

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation for pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A review of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry

AIMS

Current data are insufficient for the leading resuscitation societies to advise on the use of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) for pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). The aim of this study was to explore the current utilization of ECPR for pediatric OHCA and characterize the patient demographics, arrest features, and metabolic parameters associated with survival.

METHODS

Retrospective review of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry database from January 2020 to May 2023, including children 28 days to 18 years old who received ECPR for OHCA. The primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge.

RESULTS

Eighty patients met inclusion criteria. Median age was 8.8 years [2.0-15.8] and 53.8% of patients were male. OHCA was witnessed for 65.0% of patients and 46.3% received bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Initial rhythm was shockable in 26.3% of patients and total CPR duration was 78 min [52-106]. Signs of life were noted for 31.3% of patients and a cardiac etiology precipitating event was present in 45.0%. Survival to discharge was 29.9%. Initial shockable rhythm was associated with increased odds of survival (unadjusted OR 4.7 [1.5-14.5]; p = 0.006), as were signs of life prior to ECMO (unadjusted OR 7.8 [2.6-23.4]; p < 0.001). Lactate levels early on-ECMO (unadjusted OR 0.89 [0.79-0.99]; p = 0.02) and at 24 h on-ECMO (unadjusted OR 0.62 [0.42-0.91]; p < 0.001) were associated with decreased odds of survival.

CONCLUSIONS

These preliminary data suggest that while overall survival is poor, a carefully selected pediatric OHCA patient may benefit from ECPR. Further studies are needed to understand long-term neurologic outcomes.