Risk Factors of Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Strokes During Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Analysis of Data From the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry.

OBJECTIVES: Stroke is commonly reported in patients receiving venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, but risk factors are not well described. We sought to determine preextracorporeal membrane oxygenation and on-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation risk factors for both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes in patients with venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: Data reported to the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization by 366 extracorporeal membrane oxygenation centers from 2013 to 2019. PATIENTS: Patients older than 18 years supported with a single run of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of 15,872 venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients, 812 (5.1%) had at least one type of acute brain injury, defined as ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, or brain death. Overall, 215 (1.4%) experienced ischemic stroke and 484 (3.1%) experienced hemorrhagic stroke. Overall inhospital mortality was 36%, but rates were higher in those with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke (68% and 73%, respectively). In multivariable analysis, preextracorporeal membrane oxygenation pH (adjusted odds ratio = 0.10; 95% CI, 0.03-0.35; p < 0.001), hemolysis (adjusted odds ratio = 2.27; 95% CI, 1.22-4.24; p = 0.010), gastrointestinal hemorrhage (adjusted odds ratio = 2.01; 95% CI 1.12-3.59; p = 0.019), and disseminated intravascular coagulation (adjusted odds ratio = 3.61; 95% CI, 1.51-8.66; p = 0.004) were independently associated with ischemic stroke. Pre-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation pH (adjusted odds ratio = 0.28; 95% CI, 0.12-0.65; p = 0.003), preextracorporeal membrane oxygenation Po2 (adjusted odds ratio = 0.96; 95% CI, 0.93-0.99; p = 0.021), gastrointestinal hemorrhage (adjusted odds ratio = 1.70; 95% CI, 1.15-2.51; p = 0.008), and renal replacement therapy (adjusted odds ratio=1.57; 95% CI, 1.22-2.02; p < 0.001) were independently associated with hemorrhagic stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Among venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients in the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization registry, approximately 5% had acute brain injury. Mortality rates increased two-fold when ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes occurred. Risk factors such as lower pH and hypoxemia during the pericannulation period and markers of coagulation disturbances were associated with acute brain injury. Further research on understanding preextracorporeal membrane oxygenation and on-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation risk factors and the timing of acute brain injury is necessary to develop appropriate prevention and management strategies.

Modifiable Risk Factors and Mortality From Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Strokes in Patients Receiving Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Results From the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry.

OBJECTIVES: Although acute brain injury is common in patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, little is known regarding the mechanism and predictors of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. We aimed to determine the risk factors and outcomes of each ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke in patients with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: Data reported to the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization by 310 extracorporeal membrane oxygenation centers from 2013 to 2017. PATIENTS: Patients more than 18 years old supported with a single run of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of 10,342 venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients, 401 (3.9%) experienced ischemic stroke and 229 (2.2%) experienced hemorrhagic stroke. Reported acute brain injury during venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation decreased from 10% to 6% in 5 years. Overall in-hospital mortality was 56%, but rates were higher when ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke were present (76% and 86%, respectively). In multivariable analysis, lower pre-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation pH (adjusted odds ratio, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.09-0.49; p < 0.001), higher PO2 on first day of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (adjusted odds ratio, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.02; p = 0.009), higher rates of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuit mechanical failure (adjusted odds ratio, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.02-1.74; p = 0.03), and renal replacement therapy (adjusted odds ratio, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.14-1.94; p = 0.004) were independently associated with ischemic stroke. Female sex (adjusted odds ratio, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.16-2.22; p = 0.004), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation duration (adjusted odds ratio, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.03; p = 0.02), renal replacement therapy (adjusted odds ratio, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.30-2.52; p < 0.001), and hemolysis (adjusted odds ratio, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.11-3.16; p = 0.02) were independently associated with hemorrhagic stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a decrease in the prevalence of acute brain injury in recent years, mortality rates remain high when ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes are present. Future research is necessary on understanding the timing of associated risk factors to promote prevention and management strategy.