Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in circulatory and respiratory failure - A single-center experience

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides mechanical pulmonary and circulatory support for patients with shock refractory to conventional medical therapy. In this study we aim to describe the indications, clinical characteristics, complications and mortality associated with use of ECMO in a single tertiary hospital.

We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study of all patients supported with ECMO in two different intensive care units (general and cardiac), from the first patient cannulated in April 2011 up to October 2016.

Overall, 48 patients underwent ECMO: 29 venoarterial ECMO (VA-ECMO) and 19 venovenous ECMO (VV-ECMO). In VA-ECMO, acute myocardial infarction was the main reason for placement. The most frequent complication was lower limb ischemia and the most common organ dysfunction was acute renal failure. In VV-ECMO, acute respiratory distress syndrome after viral infection was the leading reason for device placement. Access site bleeding and hematologic dysfunction were the most prevalent complication and organ dysfunction, respectively. Almost 70% of ECMO episodes were successfully weaned in each group. Survival to discharge was 37.9% for VA-ECMO and 63.2% for VV-ECMO. In VA-ECMO, the number of inotropic agents was a predictor of mortality.

Patients with respiratory indications for ECMO experienced better survival than cardiac patients. The need for more inotropic drugs was a predictor of mortality in VA-ECMO. This is the first published record of the overall experience with ECMO in a Portuguese tertiary hospital.