[ECMO therapies in a low-volume, peripheral hospital]

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a therapeutic option for otherwise refractory pulmonary or cardiac failure. While ECMO therapy, as a highly invasive and high-risk procedure, is primarily offered at specialized centers, the time between the indication for and the implementation of ECMO therapy is outcome-relevant. This raises the question of whether ECMO therapy can be safely and successfully implemented in peripheral hospitals.

This retrospective analysis comprised all ECMO patients of a regional hospital for the period 2013-2023. Demographic data as well as therapy and survival data were recorded.

During the 10-year observation period, 54 ECMO treatments were performed at the center (53 venovenous ECMO, 1 venoarterial ECMO), of which four were transferred to a specialized center after the therapy was initiated. Of the remaining 50 patients, 24 survived the intensive care therapy (48%).

The present study demonstrates that ECMO therapies can be performed safely and with similar outcomes at peripheral hospitals, particularly if supported by a collaborating specialized center. Thus, transfers to specialized centers can be limited to patients with complicated courses.