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Updated: Dec 9, 2025
Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Peripheral Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Without Left Ventricular Venting
Published on: January 17, 2025
Cross-sectional study for the clinical application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in Mainland China, 2018
Wei Cheng1, Xu-Dong Ma2, Long-Xiang Su1
1Department of Critical Care Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 1 Shuaifuyuan, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China.
Insights
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in China showed low mortality and costs but had regional and seasonal variations. Risk factors for higher mortality included older age, male sex, underdeveloped areas, and summer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Epidemiology
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life-support technology used for severe respiratory and cardiac failure.
- Understanding the epidemiology and outcomes of ECMO is crucial for resource allocation and improving patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiology and in-hospital mortality of veno-venous (VV) and veno-arterial (VA) ECMO in Mainland China during 2018.
- To identify factors associated with in-hospital mortality in ECMO patients.
Main Methods:
- Data from 2073 ECMO cases (714 VV, 1359 VA) in 1700 tertiary hospitals across 31 provinces in 2018 were analyzed.
- Patient demographics, hospital stay, costs, and in-hospital mortality were extracted from the National Clinical Improvement System database.
Main Results:
- Overall in-hospital mortality was 29.6%. Average patient age was 50 years, with 1346 males. Average hospital stay was 17 days, and average cost was $36,334.
- Higher mortality was observed in males, patients over 70, those from underdeveloped areas, and those treated in summer. Congenital malformations and blood/nervous system abnormalities increased mortality risk.
Conclusions:
- ECMO in China had relatively low mortality and medical expenses but exhibited significant regional and seasonal disparities.
- Key risk factors for increased in-hospital mortality included older age, male sex, residing in underdeveloped regions, and summer treatment. Congenital and systemic abnormalities also correlated with higher mortality.
Background:
To investigate the epidemiology and in-hospital mortality of veno-venous (VV) and veno-arterial (VA) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in Mainland China throughout 2018.
Methods:
Patients supported by ECMO from 1700 tertiary hospitals in 31 provinces from January 1 to December 31, 2018, were selected from the National Clinical Improvement System database.
Results:
The 1700 included hospitals had 2073 cases of ECMO in 2018, including 714 VV and 1359 VA ECMOs. The average patient age was 50 years (IQR 31-63), and 1346 were male. The average hospital stay was 17 days (IQR 7-30), and the average costs per case was $36,334 (IQR 22,547-56,714). The three provinces with the highest number of ECMO cases were Guangdong, Beijing, and Zhejiang; the southeast coastal areas and regions with higher GDP levels had more cases. Overall in-hospital mortality was 29.6%. Mortality was higher among patients who were male, over 70 years old, living in underdeveloped areas, and who were treated during the summer. Mortality in provinces with more ECMO cases was relatively low. The co-existence of congenital malformations, blood system abnormalities, or nervous system abnormalities increased in-hospital mortality.
Conclusions:
Mortality and medical expenses of ECMO among patients in China were relatively low, but large regional and seasonal differences were present. Risk factors for higher in-hospital mortality were older age, male sex, in underdeveloped areas, and treatment during the summer. Additionally, congenital malformations and blood system and nervous system abnormalities were associated with in-hospital mortality.
