Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Patients: A Comprehensive Analysis of Risk Factors and Clinical Outcomes.

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an intervention for severe heart and lung failure; however, it poses the risk of complications, including gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB). Comprehensive analyses of GIB in patients undergoing ECMO are limited, and its impact on clinical outcomes remains unclear. Methods: This retrospective study included 484 patients who received venovenous and venoarterial ECMO between January 2015 and December 2022. Data collected included patient characteristics, laboratory results, GIB details, and interventions. Statistical analyses were performed to identify risk factors and assess the outcomes. Results: GIB occurred in 44 of 484 patients (9.1%) who received ECMO. Multivariable analysis revealed that older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.06; p=0.0130) and need to change the ECMO mode (OR, 3.74; 95% CI, 1.75-7.96; p=0.0006) were significant risk factors for GIB, whereas no association was found with antiplatelet or systemic anticoagulation therapies during ECMO management. Half of the patients with GIB (22/44, 50%) underwent intervention, with endoscopy as the primary modality (19/22, 86.4%). Patients who underwent ECMO and developed GIB had higher rates of mortality (40/44 [90.9%] vs. 262/440 [59.5%]) and ECMO weaning failure (38/44 [86.4%] vs. 208/440 [47.3%]). Conclusion: GIB in patients undergoing ECMO is associated with adverse outcomes, including increased risks of mortality and weaning failure. Even in seemingly uncomplicated cases, it is crucial to avoid underestimating the significance of GIB.

Outcomes of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in COVID-19: A Single-Center Study.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can lead to acute respiratory failure, which frequently necessitates invasive mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). However, the limited availability of ECMO resources poses challenges to patient selection and associated decision-making. Consequently, this retrospective single-center study was undertaken to evaluate the characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients with COVID-19 receiving ECMO. Methods: Between March 2020 and July 2022, 65 patients with COVID-19 were treated with ECMO and were subsequently reviewed. Patient demographics, laboratory data, and clinical outcomes were examined, and statistical analyses were performed to identify risk factors associated with mortality. Results: Of the patients studied, 15 (23.1%) survived and were discharged from the hospital, while 50 (76.9%) died during their hospitalization. The survival group had a significantly lower median age, at 52 years (interquartile range [IQR], 47.5-61.5 years), compared to 64 years (IQR, 60.0-68.0 years) among mortality group (p=0.016). However, no significant differences were observed in other underlying conditions or in factors related to intervention timing. Multivariable analysis revealed that the requirement of a change in ECMO mode (odds ratio [OR], 366.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.92-69911.92; p=0.0275) and the initiation of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) (OR, 139.15; 95% CI, 1.95-9,910.14; p=0.0233) were independent predictors of mortality. Conclusion: Changes in ECMO mode and the initiation of CRRT during management were associated with mortality in patients with COVID-19 who were supported by ECMO. Patients exhibiting these factors require careful monitoring due to the potential for adverse outcomes.

Chemical Pleurodesis Using Tetracycline for the Management of Postoperative Pneumothorax Recurrence.

Background: Although there is no obvious recommendation for the management of pneumothorax recurrence after surgery, chemical pleurodesis with tetracycline has been applied as a significant treatment approach. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of chemical pleurodesis with tetracycline for the management of postoperative recurrence of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) as therapy for PSP at Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital from January 2010 to December 2016. Patients who had ipsilateral recurrence after surgery were included in this study. Patients who underwent pleural drainage with chemical pleurodesis were compared with patients who only underwent pleural drainage. Results: In total, 932 patients who underwent VATS for PSP were analyzed, and ipsilateral recurrence after surgery occurred in 67 patients (7.1%). The treatment modalities for recurrence after surgery were observation (n=12), pleural drainage alone (n=16), pleural drainage with chemical pleurodesis (n=34), and repeated VATS (n=5). Eight of the 16 patients (50 %) treated with pleural drainage alone had recurrence again, while 15 of the 34 patients (44.1%) treated with pleural drainage and chemical pleurodesis experienced further recurrence. Chemical pleurodesis with tetracycline did not show a meaningful difference in the re-recurrence rate in comparison with pleural drainage alone (p=0.332). Conclusion: Chemical pleurodesis with tetracycline for the management of postoperative recurrence of PSP was not effective. Further research is required to identify alternative drugs that can significantly decrease the re-recurrence rate.

Outcomes of Urgent Interhospital Transportation for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Patients.

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can be used in patients with refractory cardiogenic shock or respiratory failure. In South Korea, the need for transporting ECMO patients is increasing. Nonetheless, information on urgent transportation and its outcomes is scant. Methods: In this retrospective review of 5 years of experience in ECMO transportation at a single center, the clinical outcomes of transported patients were compared with those of in-hospital patients. The effects of transportation and the relationship between insertion-departure time and survival were also analyzed. Results: There were 323 cases of in-hospital ECMO (in-hospital group) and 29 cases transferred to Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital without adverse events (mobile group). The median transportation time was 95 minutes (interquartile range [IQR], 36.5-119.5 minutes), whereas the median transportation distance was 115 km (IQR, 15-115 km). Transportation itself was not an independent risk factor for 28-day mortality (odds ratio [OR], 0.818; IQR, 0.381-1.755; p=0.605), long-term mortality (OR, 1.099; IQR, 0.680-1.777; p=0.700), and failure of ECMO weaning (OR, 1.003; IQR, 0.467-2.152; p=0.995) or survival to discharge (OR, 0.732; IQR, 0.337-1.586; p=0.429). After adjustment for covariates, no significant difference in the ECMO insertion-departure time was found between the survival and mortality groups (p=0.435). Conclusion: The outcomes of urgent transportation, with active involvement of the ECMO center before ECMO insertion and adherence to the transport protocol, were comparable to those of in-hospital ECMO patients.

Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia Are Associated with In-Hospital Mortality among Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 Supported with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Metabolic abnormalities, such as preexisting diabetes or hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia during hospitalization aggravated the severity of COVID-19. We evaluated whether diabetes history, hyperglycemia before and during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support, and hypoglycemia were risk factors for mortality in patients with COVID-19. This study included data on 195 patients with COVID-19, who were aged ≥19 years and were treated with ECMO. The proportion of patients with diabetes history among nonsurvivors was higher than that among survivors. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that in-hospital mortality after ECMO support was associated with diabetes history, renal replacement therapy (RRT), and body mass index (BMI) < 18.5 kg/m2. Glucose at admission >200 mg/dL and glucose levels before ventilator >200 mg/dL were not associated with in-hospital mortality. However, glucose levels before ECMO >200 mg/dL and minimal glucose levels during hospitalization <70 mg/dL were associated with in-hospital mortality. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that glucose >200 mg/dL before ECMO and minimal glucose <70 mg/dL during hospitalization remained risk factors for in-hospital mortality after adjustment for age, BMI, and RRT. In conclusion, glucose >200 mg/dL before ECMO and minimal glucose level <70 mg/dL during hospitalization were risk factors for in-hospital mortality among COVID-19 patients who underwent ECMO.

Recipient Management before Lung Transplantation.

Lung transplantation is considered a viable treatment option for patients with end-stage lung disease. Recent decades have seen a gradual increase in the number of lung transplantation patients worldwide, and in South Korea, the case number has increased at least 3-fold during the last decade. Furthermore, the waiting list time is becoming longer, and more elderly patients (>65 years) are undergoing lung transplantation; that is, the patients placed on the waiting list are older and sicker than in the past. Hence, proper management during the pre-transplantation period, as well as careful selection of candidates, is a key factor for transplant success and patient survival. Although referring and transplant centers should address many issues, the main areas of focus should be the timing of referral, nutrition, pulmonary rehabilitation, critical care (including mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), psychological support, and the management of preexisting comorbid conditions (coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease, osteoporosis, malignancy, viral infections, and chronic infections). In this context, the present article reviews and summarizes the pre-transplantation management strategies for adult patients listed for lung transplantation.

Association of pulmonary arterial pressure with volume status in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: Data on pulmonary hemodynamic parameters in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are scarce. METHODS: The associations between pulmonary artery catheter parameters for the first 7 days of ECMO, fluid balance, and hospital mortality were investigated in adult patients (aged ≥19 years) who received venovenous ECMO for refractory ARDS between 2015 and 2017. RESULTS: Twenty patients were finally included in the analysis (median age, 56.0 years; interquartile range, 45.5-68.0 years; female, n=10). A total of 140 values were collected for each parameter (i.e., 7 days×20 patients). Net fluid balance was weakly but significantly correlated with systolic and diastolic pulmonary arterial pressures (PAPs; r=0.233 and P=0.011; r=0.376 and P<0.001, respectively). Among the mechanical ventilation parameters, above positive end-expiratory pressure was correlated with systolic PAP (r=0.191 and P=0.025), and static compliance was negatively correlated with diastolic PAP (r=-0.169 and P=0.048). Non-survivors had significantly higher systolic PAPs than in survivors. However, in multivariate analysis, there was no significant association between mean systolic PAP and hospital mortality (odds ratio, 1.500; 95% confidence interval, 0.937-2.404; P=0.091). CONCLUSIONS: Systolic PAP was weakly but significantly correlated with net fluid balance during the early ECMO period in patients with refractory ARDS receiving ECMO.

Population pharmacokinetics of piperacillin/tazobactam in critically ill Korean patients and the effects of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

OBJECTIVES: To explore extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)-related alterations of the pharmacokinetics (PK) of piperacillin/tazobactam and determine an optimal dosage regimen for critically ill adult patients. METHODS: Population PK models for piperacillin/tazobactam were developed using a non-linear mixed effect modelling approach. The percentage of time within 24 h for which the free concentration exceeded the MIC at a steady-state (50%fT>MIC, 100%fT>MIC, and 100%fT>4×MIC) for various combinations of dosage regimens and renal function were explored using Monte-Carlo simulation. RESULTS: A total of 226 plasma samples from 38 patients were used to develop a population PK model. Piperacillin/tazobactam PK was best described by two-compartment models, in which estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), calculated using CKD-EPI equation based on cystatin C level, was a significant covariate for total clearance of each piperacillin and tazobactam. ECMO use decreased the central volume of distribution of both piperacillin and tazobactam in critically ill patients. Patients with Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae infection, but not those with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, exhibited a PK/pharmacodynamic target attainment >90% when the target is 50%fT>MIC, as a result of applying the currently recommended dosage regimen. Prolonged or continuous infusion of 16 g/day was required when the treatment goal was 100%fT>MIC or 100%fT>4×MIC, and patients had an eGFR of 130-170 mL/min/1.73 m2. CONCLUSIONS: ECMO use decreases piperacillin/tazobactam exposure. Prolonged or continuous infusion can achieve the treatment target in critically ill patients, particularly when MIC is above 8 mg/L or when patients have an eGFR of 130-170 mL/min/1.73 m2.

Population Pharmacokinetics of Meropenem in Critically Ill Korean Patients and Effects of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Limited studies have investigated population pharmacokinetic (PK) models and optimal dosage regimens of meropenem for critically ill adult patients using the probability of target attainment, including patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). A population PK analysis was conducted using non-linear mixed-effect modeling. Monte Carlo simulation was used to determine for how long the free drug concentration was above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) at steady state conditions in patients with various degrees of renal function. Meropenem PK in critically ill patients was described using a two-compartment model, in which glomerular filtration rate was identified as a covariate for clearance. ECMO did not affect meropenem PK. The simulation results showed that the current meropenem dosing regimen would be sufficient for attaining 40%fT>MIC for Pseudomonas aeruginosa at MIC ≤ 4 mg/L. Prolonged infusion over 3 h or a high-dosage regimen of 2 g/8 h was needed for MIC > 2 mg/L or in patients with augmented renal clearance, for a target of 100%fT>MIC or 100%fT>4XMIC. Our study suggests that clinicians should consider prolonged infusion or a high-dosage regimen of meropenem, particularly when treating critically ill patients with augmented renal clearance or those infected with pathogens with decreased in vitro susceptibility, regardless of ECMO support.

Different characteristics of bloodstream infection during venoarterial and venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in adult patients.

Currently, there is scarcity of data on whether differences exist in clinical characteristics and outcomes of bloodstream infection (BSI) between venoarterial (VA) and venovenous (VV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and whether they differ between Candida BSI and bacteremia in adult ECMO patients. We retrospectively reviewed data of patients who required ECMO for > 48 h and had BSIs while receiving ECMO between January 2015 and June 2020. Cases with a positive blood culture result within 24 h of ECMO implantation were excluded. We identified 94 (from 64 of 194 patients) and 38 (from 17 of 56 patients) BSI episodes under VA and VV ECMO, respectively. Fifty nine BSIs of VA ECMO (59/94, 62.8%) occurred in the first 2 weeks after ECMO implantation, whereas 24 BSIs of VV ECMO (24/38, 63.2%) occurred after 3 weeks of ECMO implantation. Gram-negative bacteremia (39/59, 66.1%) and gram-positive bacteremia (10/24, 41.7%) were the most commonly identified BSI types in the first 2 weeks after VA ECMO implantation and after 3 weeks of VV implantation, respectively. Timing of Candida BSI was early (6/11, 54.5% during the first 2 weeks) in VA ECMO and late (6/9, 66.7% after 3 weeks of initiation) in VV ECMO. Compared with bacteremia, Candida BSI showed no differences in clinical characteristics and outcomes during VA and VV ECMO, except the significant association with prior exposure to carbapenem in VA ECMO (vs. gram-negative bacteremia [P = 0.006], vs. gram-positive bacteremia [P = 0.03]). Our results suggest that ECMO modes may affect BSI clinical features and timing. In particular, Candida BSI occurrence during the early course of VA ECMO is not uncommon, especially in patients with prior carbapenem exposure; however, it usually occurs during the prolonged course of VV ECMO. Consequently, routine blood culture surveillance and empiric antifungal therapy might be warranted in targeted populations of adult ECMO patients, regardless of levels of inflammatory markers and severity scores.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Coronavirus Disease 2019: Expert Recommendations from The Korean Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery.

Since the first reported case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in December 2019, the numbers of confirmed cases and deaths have continued to increase exponentially despite multi-factorial efforts. Although various attempts have been made to improve the level of evidence for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment over the past 10 years, most experts still hesitate to take an active position on whether to apply ECMO in COVID-19 patients. Several ECMO management guidelines have been published recently, but they reflect some important differences from the Korean medical system and aspects of real-world medical practice in Korea. We aimed to find evidence on the efficacy of ECMO for COVID-19 patients by reviewing the published literature and to propose expert recommendations by analyzing the Korean COVID-19 ECMO registry data.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome after Lung Transplantation in the Immediate Postoperative Period: Case Report.

A 58-year-old man, incapable of maintaining oxygen saturation with mechanical ventilation, was admitted to our hospital for veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment. He was diagnosed with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to influenza A pneumonia. His condition stabilized with antibiotics and steroid administration, but weaning from ECMO failed due to post-infectious pulmonary sequelae. On day 84 after admission, he underwent bilateral lung transplantation. In the postoperative phase, he did not regain consciousness even after discontinuation of sedatives for 3 days. However, spontaneous pupillary reflex and eye movements were preserved, while communication and upper and lower limb movements were affected. The nerve conduction study was diagnostic of Guillain-Barré syndrome. He was managed with intravenous immunoglobulins and plasmapheresis. Mild recovery of the facial muscles was seen, but he died 24 days post-surgery due to progressive ARDS and sepsis.

Correlation of Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax and Air Pollution in Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the characteristics of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) in adolescents and to analyze the relationship between the occurrence of PSP and air pollutants. METHODS: Data pertaining to age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, initial pneumothorax volume, presence of bullae, treatment methods, and city of residence were retrospectively obtained from January 2010 to December 2014. We investigated the association between short-term exposure to air pollutants (SO2, NO2, O3, CO, and PM10) and the occurrence of PSP using a case-crossover design with conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: We collected information from 598 patients who were admitted for PSP, with a mean follow-up duration of 62.9 months. The majority (91.1%) of the patients were male. In the case-crossover design, conditional logistic regression showed that no air pollutant was associated with the occurrence of pneumothorax. The results were consistent across all city subgroups (Anyang, Gunpo, Uiwang, and Gwacheon). CONCLUSION: In our study, the incidence rate of pneumothorax was 153.8 per 100,000 person-years in male adolescents and 16.7 per 100,000 person-years in female adolescents. The case-crossover design showed that PSP in adolescents is unlikely to be related to air pollution.

Prospective Cohort Study of Population Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamic Target Attainment of Vancomycin in Adults on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

The aim of this study was to develop a population pharmacokinetics (PK) model for vancomycin and to evaluate its pharmacodynamic target attainment in adults on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). After a single 1,000-mg dose of vancomycin, samples were collected 9 times per patient prospectively. A population PK model was developed using a nonlinear mixed-effect model. The probability of target attainment (PTA) of vancomycin was evaluated for various dosing strategies using Monte Carlo simulation. The ratio of the area under the vancomycin concentration-time curve at steady state over 24 h to the MIC (AUC/MIC ratio) was investigated by applying the vancomycin breakpoint distribution of MICs for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus A total of 22 adult patients with 194 concentration measurements were included. The population PK was best described by a three-compartment model with a proportional residual error model. Vancomycin clearance and steady-state volume of distribution were 4.01 liters/h (0.0542 liters/h/kg) and 29.6 liters (0.400 liters/kg), respectively. If the treatment target AUC/MIC value was only ≥400, a total daily dose of 3 to 4 g would be optimal (PTA of ≥90%) for patients with normal renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] = 60 to 120 ml/min/1.73 m2) when the MIC was presumed to be 1 mg/liter. However, AUC/MIC values of 400 to 600 were difficult to attain with any dosing strategy regardless of MIC and eGFR. Thus, it is hard to achieve efficacy and safety targets in patients on ECMO using the population dosing approach with Monte Carlo simulations, and therapeutic drug monitoring should be implemented in these patients.

Significance of druggable targets (PD-L1, KRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA, MSI, and HPV) on curatively resected esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) still remains intractable disease with few therapeutic options. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), which is essential for immune evasion, is involved in the pathogenesis of ESCC and thus is a potential therapeutic target. PIK3CA, KRAS, and BRAF mutations, microsatellite instability (MSI) caused by deficient mismatch repair (dMMR), and human papillomavirus (HPV) can potentially upregulate PD-L1 expression, which might contribute to the clinical outcome of patients with ESCC. METHODS: We investigated the significance of the present druggable markers [PD-L1, PIK3CA, KRAS, and BRAF mutations, MSI caused by deficient dMMR, and HPV] in 64 curatively resected ESCCs, using immunohistochemistry (PD-L1 and MMR protein expression), direct sequencing (KRAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA mutations), real-time PCR (HPV infection), and MSI using quasi-monomorphic markers. RESULTS: PD-L1 expression, PIK3CA mutation, and MSI/dMMR were detected in 35.9, 12.5, and 17.2% of ESCCs, respectively. HPV was rarely detected (1.6%) (high-risk HPV68), whereas KRAS and BRAF mutations were not detected in ESCCs. PD-L1-positive tumors were not correlated with PIK3CA mutation or MSI/dMMR (all P > 0.05). PD-L1, PIK3CA mutation, and MSI/dMMR characterized the patients associated with light smoking, female and younger age, and younger age and well-differentiated tumors, respectively (all P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, only PD-L1-positivity was an independent favorable prognostic factor for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) (P = 0.023, P = 0.014). In the PD-L1-negative ESCCs, PIK3CA mutation had a poor prognostic impact on both OS and DFS (P = 0.006, P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: PIK3CA mutation may be an alternative prognostic biomarker in PD-L1-negative curatively resected ESCCs that can be optional to identify high-risk patients with worse clinical outcome who require more intensive therapy and follow-up.

Predictors of survival following veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in patients with acute myocardial infarction-related refractory cardiogenic shock: clinical and coronary angiographic factors.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify the determinant factors of survival in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and refractory cardiogenic shock (RCS) who underwent veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). METHODS: Sixty-nine consecutive patients with AMI-related RCS were enrolled in the study. They were treated with ECMO and primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The clinical scores and coronary angiography (CAG) factors related to 100-day survival were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty patients (43.5%) survived for more than 100 days. The CAG showed that 19 (27.5%) patients had left main disease (LMD). There were 17 (24.6%), 27 (39.1%), and 25 (36.3%) patients with one-vessel, two-vessel, and three-vessel disease, respectively. There were significant differences between the survivors and non-survivors in the simplified acute physiology score II (SAPSII) (65.4±17.2 vs. 83.1±13.0, P<0.001), sepsis-related organ failure assessment score (SOFA) (10.4±2.7 vs. 12.3±2.5, P=0.004), survival after veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation score (SAVE) (-4.4±4.3 vs. -8.4±3.1, P<0.001), CPR time (15.8±16.6 vs. 30.0±29.5, P=0.048), LMD [4 (13.3%) vs. 15 (38.5%), P=0.029], and number of coronary artery disease (NCAD) (P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that NCAD (OR 3.788, P=0.008) was one of the independent predictors of mortality. The ROC analysis showed that SAPSII (AUC 0.786, P<0.001), SOFA (AUC 0.715, P=0.002), and SAVE (AUC 0.766, P<0.001) equally predict mortality. The combined NCAD parameters more accurately predicted mortality and differences in the AUC values (d-AUC) between SAPSII plus NCAD vs. SAPSII (d-AUC 0.073, z=2.256, P=0.024), SOFA plus NCAD vs. SOFA (d-AUC 0.058, z=2.773, P=0.006), and SAVE plus NCAD vs. SAVE (d-AUC 0.036, z=2.332, P=0.020). CONCLUSIONS: The SAPSII, SOFA, and SAVE scores predict the prognosis of ECMO-treated AMI patients with RCS. The CAG findings reinforce the predictive power of each score.

Brain natriuretic peptide levels predict 6-month mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock who were weaned off extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

There are limited data regarding the association between brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels obtained after weaning from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and the outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS)-associated cardiogenic shock.We prospectively obtained data regarding patients (aged ≥ 19 years) with ACS-associated cardiogenic shock who received ECMO and were subsequently weaned off the treatment. BNP levels were collected at 5 time points: pre-ECMO implantation, post-ECMO implantation, pre-ECMO weaning, day 1 after ECMO weaning, and day 5 after ECMO weaning.Of 48 patients with ACS-related cardiogenic shock, 33 were included in this analysis. Mean patient age was 59.0 (50.0-66.5) years, and 5 patients (15.2%) were women. Eight patients had asystole/pulseless electrical activity before ECMO and 14 (42.4%) had 3-vessel disease on coronary angiography. During the 6-month follow up, 12 (36.4%) patients died. BNP levels after ECMO weaning were significantly different between 6-month survivors and non-survivors. Cox proportional hazards model revealed that BNP levels (tertiles) on days 1 and 5 after ECMO weaning were significantly associated with 6-month mortality (hazard ratio, 7.872; 95% confidence interval, 1.870-32.756; 8.658 and 1.904-39.365, respectively). According to the Kaplan-Meier curves, the first tertile had significantly longer survival compared to the third tertile for both days 1 and 5 after ECMO weaning.Post-ECMO weaning BNP levels (days 1 and 5) were significantly associated with increased 6-month mortality in patients with ACS complicated by refractory cardiogenic shock who were weaned off ECMO.

Clinical outcomes of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in acute traumatic lung injury: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a challenging procedure in patients who have experienced severe trauma. Particularly, patients with traumatic lung injury and posttraumatic acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) have a high risk of bleeding during this procedure. This study aimed to determine the safety and feasibility of ECMO in patients with traumatic ARDS. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records and investigated the clinical outcomes of ECMO in 42 patients with traumatic ARDS, among whom near-drowning (42.9%) was the most frequent cause of injury. RESULTS: Thirty-four of 42 patients (81%) survived and were discharged after a median hospital stay of 23 days. A multivariate analysis identified a lactate level (odds ratio: 1.493, 95% confidence interval: 1.060-2.103, P = 0.022) and veno-venous (VV) ECMO (odds ratio: 0.075, 95% confidence interval: 0.006-0.901, P = 0.041) as favorable independent predictors of survival in patients with traumatic ARDS who underwent ECMO. The optimal cut off value for pre-ECMO lactate level was 10.5 mmol/L (area under the curve = 0.929, P = 0.001). In Kaplan-Meier analysis, the survival rate at hospital discharge was significant higher among the patients with a pre-ECMO lactate level of 10.5 mmol/L or less compared with patients with pre-ECMO lactate level greater than 10.5 mmol/L (93.8% versus 40.0%, respectively; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: ECMO yielded excellent survival outcomes, particularly in patients with low pre-treatment lactate levels who received VV ECMO. Therefore, ECMO appears safe and highly feasible in a carefully selected population of trauma patients.

Clinical implications of the initial SAPS II in veno-arterial extracorporeal oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: Prediction of survival and weaning probability in VA ECMO (veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) patients could be of great benefit for real-time decision making on VA ECMO initiation in critical ill patients. We investigated whether the SAPS II score would be a real-time determinant for VA ECMO initiation and could be a predictor of survival and weaning probability in patients on VA ECMO. METHODS: Between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2014, VA ECMO was carried out on 135 adult patients suffering from primary cardiogenic shock. To avoid selection bias, we excluded respiratory failure patients treated with VV or other types of ECMO. Successful VA ECMO weaning was defined as weaning, followed by stable survival for more than 48 hours. Survival after VA ECMO was defined as successful weaning and treatment of the underlying medical condition, followed by discharge without any further events. RESULTS: A total of 135 patients consisted of 41 women and 94 men, with a mean age of 59.4±16.5 years. Fifty-three patients had successful weaning, and 35 survived and were discharged uneventfully. Compared to the non-survivors, the survivors showed a lower SAPS II (67.77±20.79 vs. 90.29±13.31, P<0.001), a lower SOFA score (12.63±3.49 vs. 15.33±2.28, P<0.001), a lower predicted death rate (71.12±30.51 vs. 94.00±9.36, P<0.001), a higher initial ipH (7.14±0.22 vs. 6.98±0.15, P<0.001), and a lower initial lactate level (7.09±4.93 vs. 12.11±4.84, P<0.001). The average duration of hospital stay in the successful vs. failed weaning groups was 33.43±27.41 vs. 6.35±8.71 days, and the average duration of ICU stay in the successful vs. failed weaning groups was 20.60±16.88 vs. 5.39±5.95 days. By multivariate logistic regression analysis of initial parameters for VA ECMO assistance, the simplified acute physiology score II (SAPS II) (OR =1.1019, P=0.0389), ipH (OR =0.0010, P=0.0452), and hospital stay (OR =0.8140, P=0.001) had an association with in-hospital mortality on VA ECMO. The initial SAPS II score [area under the curve (AUC) =0.821] demonstrated significantly superior prediction of VA ECMO mortality than age (AUC =0.697), SOFA score (AUC =0.701), ipH (AUC =0.551), and the other parameters. By multivariable CoX regression analysis of survival, only the SAPS II score proved to have statistical significance (hazard ratio, 1.0423; 95% CI, 1.0083-1.0775; P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Although the precise predictive scoring systems for VA ECMO still remains one of the most difficult challenges to ECMO physicians, the SAPS II score could provide valuable information on prognosis to patient himself, family members and caretakers, and might help physicians increase the survival rate and might avoid a waste of healthcare resources.

Lung Compliance and Outcomes in Patients With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Receiving ECMO.

BACKGROUND: Limited data are available regarding mechanical ventilation strategies in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of acute respiratory distress syndrome patients on ECMO was conducted in 9 hospitals in Korea. Data on ventilator settings (pre-ECMO and 0, 4, 24, and 48 hours after ECMO) were collected. Based on the effect of the duration and intensity of mechanical ventilator on outcomes, time-weighted average values were calculated for ventilator parameters. RESULTS: The 56 patients included in the study had a mean age of 55.5 years. The hospital and 6-month mortality rates were 48.1% and 54.0%, respectively, with a median ECMO duration of 9.4 days. After initiation of ECMO, peak inspiratory pressure, above positive end-expiratory pressure, tidal volume, and respiration rate were reduced, while lung compliance did not change significantly. Before and during ECMO support, tidal volume and lung compliance were higher in 6-month survivors than in nonsurvivors. In Cox proportional models, both lung compliance (odds ratio, 0.961; 95% confidence interval, 0.928 to 0.995) and time-weighted average-lung compliance (odds ratio, 0.943; 95% confidence interval, 0.903 to 0.986) were significantly associated with 6-month mortality. Kaplan-Meier curves revealed that patients with higher lung compliance before ECMO had a longer survival time at the 6-month follow-up than did those with lower lung compliance. CONCLUSIONS: Lung compliance, whether before or during ECMO, may be an important predictor of outcome in acute respiratory distress syndrome patients receiving ECMO. However, this result requires confirmation in larger clinical studies.