ECMO as a bridge to cardiac surgery: stabilizing unstable patients for a definitive procedure

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in adults has been used in post-cardiotomy patients who decline hemodynamically. Cardiogenic shock in patients with potential surgically correctable cardiac conditions are at significantly higher risk for post-operative morbidity and mortality. We present experience with a pre-emptive approach of ECMO institution pre-operatively to stabilize patients with cardiogenic shock.

This study expands on a pilot study with a group of twenty patients who were supported with ECMO pre-operatively in different institutions over a period between 2011 and 2021. The patients presented with cardiogenic shock. Peripheral veno-arterial (VA) ECMO support was used in all the patients. Cardiac surgery was performed via median sternotomy utilizing the in situ ECMO cannulae to institute cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Seventeen patients were weaned off ECMO support following a mean duration of support of 156 h. Fifteen patients survived to discharge. The 30-day mortality and in-hospital mortality were 25% (expected 67% by European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) II). The causes of mortality included persistent bleeding in 2 patients due to liver dysfunction, and one with low platelet counts. The other two had multi-organ failure.

Variable period of pre-operative ECMO support provides hemodynamic stability and may prevent or reverse the multi-organ dysfunction if instituted on time in patients presenting with cardiogenic shock. This strategy allows cardiac surgery to be performed with acceptable risk.