Outcomes' predictors in Post-Cardiac Surgery Extracorporeal Life Support. An observational prospective cohort study

Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS) may provide pulmonary and circulatory support for patients with acute heart failure refractory to conventional medical therapy. However, indications and effectiveness of ECLS engagement post-cardiac surgery remains a concern. We sought to analyze indications, modality and outcomes of Post-Cardiac Surgery Extracorporeal Life Support (PS-ECLS), to identify predictors of early and midterm survival after PS-ECLS.

Prospective, multicenter analysis of 209 consecutive PS-ECLS patients between January 2004 and December 2018. Demographic and clinical data before, during and after PS-ECLS were collected and their influence on hospital mortality and outcomes (early and midterm) were analyzed.

Mean PS-ECLS duration was 5.3 ± 9.6 days. Multivariate analysis of pre PS-ECLS implantation factors revealed age >70years, female, insulin-dependent diabetes, severe pulmonary hypertension, STS score >35, type/A aortic dissection, aortic cross-clamp time >150 min and pre-ECLS blood lactate >15 mmol/L as risk factors of in-hospital mortality. Instead coronary artery disease (CAD), intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) implantation, ECLS start in the operating room, and transapical left ventricular venting, were associated with a better outcome. Weaning from ECLS was possible in 56.8% of cases and survival at discharge was 42.6%. Overall, survival was 37.3%, 32.1% and 25.2%, at 6-months, 1-year and 5-years, respectively. Midterm outcome was influenced positively by younger age and CAD, negatively by diabetes, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 35% and neurological dysfunction.

PS-ECLS is a valuable option when conventional medical therapies are insufficient. The outcome predictors identified in the study could be an operative support for PS-ECLS indication and management.