Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026
Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Peripheral Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Without Left Ventricular Venting
Published on: January 17, 2025
Infections occurring during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use in adult patients
Hsin-Yun Sun1, Wen-Je Ko, Pi-Ru Tsai
1Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
Objective:
The application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in adults has been increasing, but infections occurring during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use are rarely described.
Methods:
We retrospectively analyzed the prospectively collected data on nosocomial infection surveillance of 334 patients aged 16 years or more undergoing their first extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for more than 48 hours at a university hospital from 1996 to 2007 for respiratory (20.4%) and cardiac (79.6%) support.
Results:
During a total of 2559 extracorporeal membrane oxygenation days, 55 episodes of infections occurred in 45 patients (13.5%), including 38 bloodstream (14.85 per 1000 extracorporeal membrane oxygenation days), 6 surgical site, 4 respiratory tract, 3 urinary tract, and 4 other infections. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (16.7%) and Candida species (14.6%) were the predominant blood isolates. In stepwise logistic regression analysis, longer duration of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use (odds ratio 1.003; 95% confidence interval, 1.001-1.005; P = .004), mechanical complications (odds ratio, 4.849; 95% confidence interval, 1.569-14.991; P = .006), autoimmune disease (odds ratio, 6.997; 95% confidence interval, 1.541-31.766; P = .012), and venovenous mode (odds ratio, 4.473; 95% confidence interval, 1.001-19.977; P = .050) were independently associated with a higher risk for infections during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use. Overall in-hospital mortality was 68.3%, and its independent risk factors included older age (odds ratio, 1.037; 95% confidence interval, 1.021-1.054; P < .001), neurologic complications (odds ratio, 51.153; 95% confidence interval, 6.773-386.329; P < .001), and vascular complications (odds ratio, 1.922; 95% confidence interval, 1.112-3.320; P < .001), but not infections during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use.
Conclusions:
Bloodstream infection was the most common infection during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use. Duration of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, mechanical complications, autoimmune disease, and venovenous mode seemed to be independently associated with infections.
Related Concept Videos
01:16Oxygen Delivering System II: Venturi Mask and Transtracheal Oxygen
Venturi Mask
The Venturi mask, named after the Venturi effect, is designed to deliver precise oxygen concentrations. It consists of a large tube with an oxygen inlet that narrows down, causing a pressure drop that pulls air in through adjustable side ports. The mask is a lightweight,...
01:26Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies. Common...
01:25Peritoneal Dialysis II: Peritoneal Dialysis Systems and Complications
01:30Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
01:25Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
01:23Oxygen Delivering System III: Tracheostomy and T-piece
Tracheostomy
A tracheostomy is a surgically created opening (stoma) in the anterior part of the trachea. It is used to establish a patient airway, bypass an upper airway obstruction, simplify the removal of secretions, permit long-term...