Extracorporeal life support for pancreatitis-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome

Adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) secondary to acute pancreatitis is associated with a poor prognosis. We hypothesized that extracorporeal life support (ECLS) may be an effective treatment option for the most severe cases of pancreatitis-induced ARDS.

We reviewed 8 cases of pancreatitis-induced ARDS that were treated with ECLS at our institution. We collected data on demographics, comorbidities, hemodynamic parameters, and ventilatory support used before ECLS. Our outcome measures for this study included survival to discharge, length of ECLS run, days undergoing mechanical ventilation, days in an intensive care unit, total length of hospital stay, adjunct therapies and procedures, and complications.

Overall, 5 of the 8 patients (63%) survived to discharge. Seven of the 8 patients underwent venovenous ECLS, and 1 underwent venoarterial ECLS. The overall mean length of ECLS was 9.7 ± 10.7 days. However, the mean ECLS run length in survivors was 4.3 ± 1.8 days and the longest ECLS run in a survivor was 7.25 days. Two of the 3 patients who died had very long run lengths (28.8 and 24.7 days, respectively), whereas 1 patient had a short run (2.4 days). Five of the 8 patients (63%), including all of the 3 who died, experienced a bleeding complication of some kind. Two patients required continuous venovenous hemofiltration, 1 of whom died and 1 of whom survived. Six patients underwent tracheostomy on ECLS, 1 patient already had undergone tracheostomy, and 1 patient did not undergo tracheostomy.

ECLS is useful in treating severe pancreatitis-induced ARDS. Pancreatic debridement can be performed during ECLS, using a comprehensive protocol to minimize bleeding complications.