An established extracorporeal membrane oxygenation protocol promotes survival in extreme hypothermia

Historical reports indicate that active rewarming with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can salvage a patient after hypothermic cardiac arrest. We created a protocol that includes ECMO for extreme hypothermia to guide rewarming of the hypothermic patient.

A retrospective review of the ECMO rewarming protocol (2004-2006) was conducted.

The active rewarming protocol is a flowchart that is available on our hospital intranet and can be accessed in the trauma bay. A severely hypothermic patient triggers the activation of a TRAUMA ONE-OP ECMO response. During the 2-year period, there were 5 activations of the system and 4 children were placed on ECMO. Two of the 4 were dramatically salvaged and eventually discharged neurologically intact. All 5 children were found pulseless at the scene before transport. The average time from the injury occurrence to arrival was 94 minutes (range, 41-181 minutes). Mean cardiopulmonary resuscitation time was 78.2 minutes (range, 37-152 minutes). The mean core temperature on arrival was 25.4 degrees C (range, 20.4 degrees C-28.6 degrees C). The average time from arrival to ECMO cannulation was 25.5 minutes (range, 16-37 minutes).

A preemptive strategy for the severely hypothermic patient provides an organized approach and prompt response. Expeditious rewarming can make the difference in an opportunity for survival.