Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation: is it futile?
Curr Opin Anaesthesiol 2022;
35:190-194. [PMID:
35067531 DOI:
10.1097/aco.0000000000001097]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is a treatment modality used to restore end-organ perfusion in the setting of refractory cardiac arrest in patients receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Despite advances in medicine, survival from cardiac arrest remains low with conventional CPR. The body of literature relating to ECPR is limited to retrospective studies and case series, with data that are inconsistent. Routine use of ECPR is not currently endorsed by the American Heart Association.
RECENT FINDINGS
In several single-center retrospective studies, ECPR was associated with a higher level of return of spontaneous circulation and survival to hospital discharge, when compared with conventional CPR. However, data from larger population-based registry studies have not reproduced these findings. Implementation of ECPR is a complex endeavor that requires specialized, multidisciplinary expertise to be successful.
SUMMARY
ECPR may be considered as an adjunct to CPR in cases of refractory cardiac arrest. The success of ECPR relies on specialized expertise, thoughtful patient selection, and timely initiation.
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