Considerations for analgosedation and antithrombotic management during extracorporeal life support

Despite the immense growth in extracorporeal life support (ECLS) technology and experience, opportunity remains to better characterize the pharmacotherapeutic considerations during ECLS. Analgosedation can be particularly challenging in the ECLS population due to in drug-circuit interactions that may lead to decreased systemic concentrations and pharmacodynamic effect. ECLS also requires the use of antithrombotic agents to mitigate the prothrombotic state created by the artificial surface in the ECLS circuit. There are a number of coagulation monitoring tests available. However, optimal monitoring and management in ECLS has not been established. Heparin continues to be the anticoagulant of choice for most ECLS centers, however, there is growing interest in the use of parenteral direct thrombin inhibitors (DTI) in this population. Advances in understanding pharmacotherapeutic management have not kept up with the technological advances in this population. More investigation is warranted to gain a greater understanding of the pharmacotherapeutic implications, facilitate standardized evidence-based practices, and improve patient centered outcomes.