Maintenance of beta-blockers and cardiac surgery-related outcomes: a prospective propensity-matched multicentre analysis.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the effects of maintaining beta-blockers on the day of surgery on the incidence of atrial fibrillation and postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. METHODS: We conducted a multicentre prospective observational study with propensity matching on patients treated with beta-blockers. We collected their baseline patient characteristics, comorbidities, and operative and postoperative outcomes. The endpoints were postoperative atrial fibrillation and AKI after cardiac surgery. RESULTS: Of the 1789 included patients, propensity matching led to 583 patients in each group. Maintenance of beta-blockers was not associated with a reduced risk of atrial fibrillation (odds ratio: 0.86 [95% confidence interval 0.66-1.14], P=0.335; 141 patients [24.2%] vs 126 patients [21.6%]). Sensitivity analysis did not demonstrate association between beta-blocker maintenance and atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery (odds ratio: 0.93 [95% confidence interval: 0.72-1.22], P=0.625). Maintenance of beta-blockers was associated with a higher rate of norepinephrine use (415 [71.2%] vs 465 [79.8%], P=0.0001) and postoperative AKI (124 [21.3%] vs 159 [27.3%], P=0.0127). No statistically significant difference was observed in ICU length of stay. CONCLUSIONS: Maintenance of beta-blockers on the day of surgery was not associated with a reduced incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation. However, maintenance of beta-blockers was associated with increased usage of vasopressors, potentially contributing to adverse postoperative renal events. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04769752.

Should the Vasoactive Inotropic Score be a Determinant for Early Initiation of VA ECMO in Postcardiotomy Cardiogenic Shock?

OBJECTIVES: The authors investigated the role of early venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) implantation in patients with postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock (PCS) on mortality and morbidity when integrating vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS) and type of catecholamine support. DESIGN: A retrospective, multicenter, observational study with propensity-weight matching. SETTING: Four university-affiliated intensive care units. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with PCS in the operating room. INTERVENTIONS: Early VA ECMO support. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of 2,742 patients screened during the study period, 424 (16%) patients were treated with inotropic drugs, and 75 (3%) patients were supported by VA ECMO in the operating room. Patients supported by VA ECMO had a higher use of vasopressor and inotropic drugs, with a higher VIS score. After propensity matching (integrating VIS and catecholamines type), mortality (56% v 20%, p < 0.001) and morbidity (cardiac, renal, transfusion) were higher in patients supported by VA ECMO than in a matched control group. CONCLUSIONS: When matching integrated the pre-ECMO VIS and the type of catecholamines, VA ECMO remained associated with high mortality and morbidity, suggesting that VIS alone should not be used as a main determinant of VA ECMO implantation.

Oesophageal-pericardial and atrio-oesophageal fistula complicating a pulmonary vein isolation procedure.

A 66-year-old man with a history of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation presented with purulent cardiac tamponade, revealing an atrio-oesophageal fistula. He underwent successful endoscopic management. A few days later, the patient fell into a sudden coma due to multiple cerebral air embolisms, resulting from a fistula between the esophagus and the right superior pulmonary vein.

Diuretics depletion improves cardiac output and ventriculo-arterial coupling in congestive ICU patients during hemodynamic de-escalation.

PURPOSE: Congestion was shown to hamper organ perfusion, but the exact timing of diuretic initiation during hemodynamic de-escalation in shock is unclear. The aim of this study was to describe the hemodynamic effects of diuretic initiation in the stabilized shock. METHODS: We performed a monocentric, retrospective analysis, in a cardiovascular medico-surgical ICU. We included consecutive resuscitated adult patients, for whom the clinician decided to introduce loop diuretic treatment for clinical signs of fluid overload. The patients were hemodynamically evaluated at the moment of diuretic introduction and 24 h later. RESULTS: Seventy ICU patients were included in this study, with a median duration of ICU stay before diuretic initiation of 2 [1-3] days. 51(73%) patients were classified as congestive (central venous pressure > 12 mmHg). After treatment, the cardiac index increased towards normal values in the congestive group (2.7 ± 0.8 L min- 1 m- 2 from 2.5 ± 0.8 L min- 1 m- 2, p = 0.042), but not in the non-congestive group (2.7 ± 0.7 L min- 1 m- 2 from baseline 2.7 ± 0.8 L min- 1 m- 2, p = 0.968). A decrease in arterial lactate concentrations was observed in the congestive group (2.1 ± 2 mmol L- 1 vs. 1.3 ± 0.6 mmol L- 1, p < 0.001). The diuretic therapy was associated with an improvement of ventriculo-arterial coupling comparing with baseline values in the congestive group (1.69 ± 1 vs. 1.92 ± 1.5, p = 0.03). The norepinephrine use decreased in congestive patients (p = 0.021), but not in the non-congestive group (p = 0.467). CONCLUSION: The initiation of diuretics in ICU congestive patients with stabilized shock was associated with improvement of cardiac index, ventriculo-arterial coupling, and tissue perfusion parameter. These effects were not observed in non-congestive patients.

Epidemiology, risk factors and outcomes of norepinephrine use in cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass: a multicentric prospective study.

BACKGROUND: The present study was designed to describe the prevalence of norepinephrine use, the factors associated with its use, and the incidence of postoperative complications according to norepinephrine use, in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. METHOD: We performed a prospective, multicenter, observational study in 4 University-affiliated medico-surgical cardiovascular units. We analyzed all patients treated with cardiac surgery after excluding pre-ECMO surgery, LVAD implantation, heart transplantation and intra-operative hemorrhage. RESULTS: Of 9316 patients screened during the study period, 2862 were included and 2510 were analyzed. Among them, 1549 (61%) were treated with norepinephrine with a median maximal dose of 0.11 [0.06-0.2] µg.kg-1.min-1 and a median duration of 10 h [2-24]. Norepinephrine was most often started in the operating room before cardiopulmonary bypass. The multiple regression logistic analysis identified several modifiable (haematocrit, maintenance of beta-blocker, cardiopulmonary bypass time, glucose-insulin-potassium, Custodiol cardioplegia, Delnido cardioplegia, and fibrinogen transfusion) and non-modifiable factors (age, ASA score, chronic high blood pressure, coronary disease, dyslipidemia, right ventricular dysfunction, left ventricular dysfunction, active endocarditis, and valvular aortic surgery) associated with norepinephrine use. Mortality, morbidity (neurological and renal complications, death) and length of stay in the ICU were higher in patients treated with norepinephrine. CONCLUSION: Norepinephrine is often used in cardiac surgical patients but for <24 h with a low dose. Many preoperative and surgical factors are associated with norepinephrine use. Patients supported by norepinephrine have a higher incidence of major postoperative events.

Balanced Nonopioid General Anesthesia With Lidocaine Is Associated With Lower Postoperative Complications Compared With Balanced Opioid General Anesthesia With Sufentanil for Cardiac Surgery With Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Propensity Matched Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: There are no data on the effect of balanced nonopioid general anesthesia with lidocaine in cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. The main study objective was to evaluate the association between nonopioid general balanced anesthesia and the postoperative complications in relation to opioid side effects. METHODS: Patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass between 2019 and 2021 were identified. After exclusion of patients for heart transplantation, left ventricular assistance device, and off-pump surgery, we classified patients according to an opioid general balanced anesthesia or a nonopioid balanced anesthesia with lidocaine. The primary outcome was a collapsed composite of postoperative complications that comprise respiratory failure and confusion, whereas secondary outcomes were acute renal injury, pneumoniae, death, intensive care unit (ICU), and hospital length of stay. RESULTS: We identified 859 patients exposed to opioid-balanced general anesthesia with lidocaine and 913 patients exposed to nonopioid-balanced general anesthesia. Propensity score matching yielded 772 individuals in each group with balanced baseline covariates. Two hundred thirty-six patients (30.5%) of the nonopioid-balanced general anesthesia versus 186 patients (24.1%) presented postoperative composite complications. The balanced lidocaine nonopioid general anesthesia group was associated with a lower proportion with the postoperative complication composite outcome OR, 0.72 (95% CI, 0.58-0.92; P = .027). The number of patients with acute renal injury, death, and hospital length of stay did not differ between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: A balanced nonopioid general anesthesia protocol with lidocaine was associated with lower odds of postoperative complication composite outcome based on respiratory failure and confusion.

Doppler study of portal vein and renal venous velocity predict the appropriate fluid response to diuretic in ICU: a prospective observational echocardiographic evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Fluid overload and venous congestion are associated with morbi-mortality in the ICU (intensive care unit). Administration of diuretics to correct the fluid balance is common, although there is no strong relationship between the consequent fluid loss and clinical improvement. The aim of the study was to evaluate the ability of the portal pulsatility index, the renal venous impedance index, and the VEXUS score (venous ultrasound congestion score) to predict appropriate diuretic-induced fluid depletion. METHODS: The study had a prospective, observational, single-center observational design and was conducted in a university-affiliated medico-surgical ICU. Adult patients for whom the clinician decided to introduce loop diuretic treatment were included. Hemodynamic and ultrasound measurements (including the portal pulsatility index, renal venous impedance index and VEXUS score) were performed at inclusion and 2 hours after the initiation of the diuretics. The patients' characteristics were noted at inclusion, 24 h later, and at ICU discharge. The appropriate diuretic-induced fluid depletion was defined by a congestive score lower than 3 after diuretic fluid depletion. The congestive score included clinical and biological parameters of congestion. RESULTS: Eighty-one patients were included, and 43 (53%) patients presented with clinically significant congestion score at inclusion. Thirty-four patients (42%) had an appropriate response to diuretic-induced fluid depletion. None of the left- and right-sided echocardiographic parameters differed between the two groups. The baseline portal pulsatility index was the best predictor of appropriate response to diuretic-induced fluid depletion (AUC = 0.80, CI95%:0.70-0.92, p = 0.001), followed by the renal venous impedance index (AUC = 0.72, CI95% 0.61-0.84, p = 0.001). The baseline VEXUS score (AUC of 0.66 CI95% 0.53-0.79, p = 0.012) was poorly predictive of appropriate response to diuretic-induced fluid depletion. CONCLUSION: The portal pulsatility index and the renal venous impedance index were predictive of the appropriate response to diuretic-induced fluid depletion in ICU patients. The portal pulsatility index should be evaluated in future randomized studies.

Determinants of Arterial Pressure of Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide in Patients Supported by Veno-Arterial ECMO.

Background: The present study aimed to assess the determinants of arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and carbon dioxide (PaCO2) in the early phase of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) support. Even though the guidelines considered both the risks of hypoxemia and hyperoxemia during ECMO support, there are a lack of data concerning the patients supported by VA ECMO. Methods: This is a retrospective, monocentric, observational cohort study in a university-affiliated cardiac intensive care unit. Hemodynamic parameters, ECMO parameters, ventilator settings, and blood gas analyses were collected at several time points during the first 48 h of VA ECMO support. For each timepoint, the blood samples were drawn simultaneously from the right radial artery catheter, VA ECMO venous line (before the oxygenator), and from VA ECMO arterial line (after the oxygenator). Univariate followed by multivariate mixed-model analyses were performed for longitudinal data analyses. Results: Forty-five patients with femoro-femoral peripheral VA ECMO were included. In multivariate analysis, the patients' PaO2 was independently associated with QEC, FDO2, and time of measurement. The patients' PaCO2 was associated with the sweep rate flow and the PpreCO2. Conclusions: During acute VA ECMO support, the main determinants of patient oxygenation are determined by VA ECMO parameters.

Implementation of a regional multidisciplinary veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation unit improved survival: a historical cohort study.

PURPOSE: Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vvECMO) is a highly invasive technique with a high risk of mortality. Based on reports of improved outcomes in high-volume ECMO centers, we established a regional vvECMO unit. The objective of this study was to evaluate how the vvECMO unit affected patient mortality rates. METHODS: This was a historical cohort study of all patients admitted to Dijon University Hospital and supported by vvECMO between January 2011 and June 2021. Patients managed with the vvECMO unit were compared with patients managed with non-vvECMO units. The primary outcome was 90-day mortality. RESULTS: Of 172 patients treated using vvECMO, 69% were men, and the median [interquartile range] age was 59 [48-66] yr. Of the 172 patients, 35 were treated in the vvECMO unit and 137 were treated elsewhere (110/137 before the unit was established and 27/137 after). Ninety-day mortality was lower in patients managed in the vvECMO unit (15/35, 43% vs 92/137, 67%; P = 0.005). Within the vvECMO unit, mortality rates were also lower for the subgroup of patients managed after the specialized unit was established (15/35, 43% vs 20/27, 74%; P = 0.002). After adjusting for baseline severity of illness at vvECMO initiation, the vvECMO unit was independently associated with a lower 90-day mortality rate (hazard ratio, 0.41; 95% confidence interval, 0.21 to 0.80). CONCLUSION: The establishment of a vvECMO unit was associated with reduced 90-day mortality. This improved survival may relate to patient selection, more specialized mechanical ventilation support, and/or improvement of vvECMO care.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: L'oxygénation par membrane extracorporelle veino-veineuse (ECMO-VV) est une technique hautement invasive qui s'accompagne d'un risque élevé de mortalité. Sur la base de comptes rendus faisant état d'améliorations des devenirs dans les centers pratiquant un volume important d'ECMO, nous avons mis en place une unité régionale d'ECMO-VV. L'objectif de cette étude était d'évaluer l'impact de l'unité d'ECMO-VV sur les taux de mortalité des patients. MéTHODE: Nous avons réalisé une étude de cohorte historique incluant tous les patients admis au CHU de Dijon et traités par ECMO-VV entre janvier 2011 et juin 2021. Les patients pris en charge par l'unité d'ECMO-VV ont été comparés aux patients pris en charge par d'autres unités. Le critère d'évaluation principal était la mortalité à 90 jours. RéSULTATS: Sur 172 patients traités par ECMO-VV, 69 % étaient des hommes et l'âge médian [écart interquartile] était de 59 [48-66] ans. Sur les 172 patients, 35 ont été traités par l'unité d'ECMO-VV et 137 ont été traités ailleurs (110/137 avant la création de l'unité et 27/137 après). La mortalité à 90 jours était plus faible chez les patients pris en charge par l'unité d'ECMO-VV (15/35, 43 % vs 92/137, 67 %; P = 0,005). Au sein de l'unité d'ECMO-VV, les taux de mortalité étaient également plus faibles pour le sous-groupe de patients pris en charge après la création de l'unité spécialisée (15/35, 43 % vs 20/27, 74 %; P = 0,002). Après ajustement pour tenir compte de la gravité initiale de la maladie à la mise en place de l'ECMO-VV, l'unité d'ECMO-VV était indépendamment associée à un taux de mortalité plus faible à 90 jours (rapport de risque, 0,41; intervalle de confiance à 95 %, 0,21 à 0,80). CONCLUSION: La mise en place d'une unité d'ECMO-VV a été associée à une réduction de la mortalité à 90 jours. Cette amélioration de la survie peut être liée à la sélection des patients, à un soutien par ventilation mécanique plus spécialisé et /ou à l'amélioration des soins d'ECMO-VV.

Evaluation of the Oxiris Membrane in Cardiogenic Shock Requiring Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support: Study Protocol for a Single Center, Single-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is the rescue treatment proposed to patients with refractory cardiogenic shock. The VA-ECMO implantation promotes inflammation and ischemia-reperfusion injuries through the VA-ECMO flow, causing digestive mucosa barrier disrupture and inducing translocation of bacterial wall components-Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) with further inflammation and circulatory impairment. LPS is a well-studied surrogate indicator of bacterial translocation. Oxiris membrane is a promising and well-tolerated device that can specifically remove LPS. The main study aim is to compare the LPS elimination capacity of Oxiris membrane vs. a non-absorbant classical renal replacement (RRT) membrane in patients with cardiogenic shock requiring VA-ECMO. Methods: ECMORIX is a randomized, prospective, single-center, single-blind, parallel-group, controlled study. It compares the treatment with Oxiris membrane vs. the standard continuous renal replacement therapy care in patients with cardiogenic shock support by peripheral VA-ECMO. Forty patients will be enrolled in both treatment groups. The primary endpoint is the value of LPS serum levels after 24 h of treatment. LPS serum levels will be monitored during the first 72 h of treatment, as clinical and cardiac ultrasound parameters, biological markers of inflammation and 30-day mortality. Discussion: Oxiris membrane appears to be beneficial in controlling the VA-ECMO-induced ischemia-reperfusion inflammation by LPS removal. ECMORIX results will be of major importance in the management of severe cases requiring VA-ECMO and will bring pathophysiological insights about the LPS role in this context. Clinical Trial Registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT04886180.

Vasopressor-Sparing Strategies in Patients with Shock: A Scoping-Review and an Evidence-Based Strategy Proposition.

Despite the abundant literature on vasopressor therapy, few studies have focused on vasopressor-sparing strategies in patients with shock. We performed a scoping-review of the published studies evaluating vasopressor-sparing strategies by analyzing the results from randomized controlled trials conducted in patients with shock, with a focus on vasopressor doses and/or duration reduction. We analyzed 143 studies, mainly performed in septic shock. Our analysis demonstrated that several pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies are associated with a decrease in the duration of vasopressor therapy. These strategies are as follows: implementing a weaning strategy, vasopressin use, systemic glucocorticoid administration, beta-blockers, and normothermia. On the contrary, early goal directed therapies, including fluid therapy, oral vasopressors, vitamin C, and renal replacement therapy, are not associated with an increase in vasopressor-free days. Based on these results, we proposed an evidence-based vasopressor management strategy.

Oral Water Has Cardiovascular Effects Up to 60 min in Shock Patients.

Aim: Little is known about the cardiovascular effects of oral water intake in shock patients. This study was designed to assess the effect of oral water on stroke volume and blood pressure during a 1-h time period. Method and Results: This open-label, randomized clinical trial included patients admitted to intensive care with acute circulatory failure. Three ICU units at the anesthesia and critical care department of the Dijon Bourgogne University Hospital. Patients were randomized 1:1 to an intervention or standard care group. The intervention group received 500 ml of oral water while the standard care group received intravenous administration of 500 ml of physiological saline solution. Baseline SV did not differ between the two groups (36 ml [28;51] vs. 38 ml [30;51], p = 0.952). The number of patients who were fluid responders did not differ between the two groups [n = 19 (76%) vs. n = 18 (72%), p = 1]. The median change in stroke volume during the three time points did not differ between the two groups (p < 0.05). In the intervention group, blood pressure increased up to 60 min. In the control group, blood pressure quickly increased at the end of fluid expansion, then returned close to baseline value at 60 min. Conclusion: Shock patients who were administered oral water experienced improvements in blood pressure and blood flow up to 60 min when compared with patients who received intravenous saline solution. Further studies are warranted to confirm these effects. Clinical Trial Registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov, identifier: NCT03951519.

Risk Factors of Bleeding in Patients Undergoing Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) is increasingly being used for circulatory shock. Bleeding is a frequent complication and is associated with increased mortality. The purpose of our study was to identify factors associated with early major bleeding after VA ECMO initiation. METHODS: We performed a retrospective observational study based on our database. In accordance with the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization definition, the population was divided in two groups: major bleeding events (group B) and no major bleeding events (group O). We collected data on all major bleeding events occurring during the first 48 hours after VA ECMO initiation. RESULTS: Of the 243 patients analyzed, 111 patients (46%) had an early major bleeding event. Independent risk factors associated with early major bleeding events were postcardiotomy VA ECMO (odds ratio [OR] 1.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08 to 3.62; P = .02), body mass index (OR 0.91; 95% CI, 0.85 to 0.98; P = .01), hemoglobinemia (OR 0.8; 95% CI, 0.7 to 0.92; P = .002), fibrinogen (OR 0.67; 95% CI, 0.52 to 0.84; P = .001), and pH (OR 0.15; 95% CI, 0.02 to 1.04; P = .05). By using a receiver-operating characteristics curve analysis, hemoglobin level less than 9 g dL-1, fibrinogen level less than 2 g L-1, pH lower than 7.12, and body mass index below 25 kg/m2 were identified to predict early major bleeding events. Major bleeding events were independently associated with mortality (OR 2.54; CI 95%, 1.38 to 4.66; P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: We found that postcardiotomy VA ECMO, hemoglobin levels less than 9 g dL-1, fibrinogen levels less than 2 g L-1, pH lower than 7.12, and body mass index below 25 kg/m2 were associated with a higher risk for early major bleeding events.

Anaesthesia and ICU sedation with sevoflurane do not reduce myocardial injury in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: A randomized prospective study.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effect of anaesthesia and ICU sedation with sevoflurane to protect the myocardium against ischemia-reperfusion injury associated to cardiac surgery assessed by troponin release. METHODS: We performed a prospective, open-label, randomized study in cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Patients were randomized to an algorithm-based intervention group and a control group. The main outcome was the perioperative kinetic of cardiac troponin I (cTnI). The secondary outcomes included composite endpoint, GDF-15 (macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1) value, arterial lactate levels, and the length of stay (LOS) in the ICU. RESULTS: Of 82 included patients, 81 were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis (intervention group: n = 42; control group: n = 39). On inclusion, the intervention and control groups did not differ significantly in terms of demographic and surgical data. The postoperative kinetics of cTnI did not differ significantly between groups: the mean difference was 0.44 ±â€Š1.09 µg/ml, P = .69. Incidence of composite endpoint and GDF-15 values were higher in the sevoflurane group than in propofol group. The intervention and control groups did not differ significantly in terms of ICU stay and hospital stay. CONCLUSION: The use of an anaesthesia and ICU sedation with sevoflurane was not associated with a lower incidence of myocardial injury assessed by cTnI. Sevoflurane administration was associated with higher prevalence of acute renal failure and higher GDF-15 values.

Pupillometry pain index decreases intraoperative sufentanyl administration in cardiac surgery: a prospective randomized study.

Pupillometry has proven effective for the monitoring of intraoperative analgesia in non-cardiac surgery. We performed a prospective randomized study to evaluate the impact of an analgesia-guided pupillometry algorithm on the consumption of sufentanyl during cardiac surgery. Fifty patients were included prior to surgery. General anesthesia was standardized with propofol and target-controlled infusions of sufentanyl. The standard group consisted of sufentanyl target infusion left to the discretion of the anesthesiologist. The intervention group consisted of sufentanyl target infusion based on the pupillary pain index. The primary outcome was the total intraoperative sufentanyl dose. The total dose of sufentanyl was lower in the intervention group than in the control group and (55.8 µg [39.7-95.2] vs 83.9 µg [64.1-107.0], p = 0.04). During the postoperative course, the cumulative doses of morphine (mg) were not significantly different between groups (23 mg [15-53] vs 24 mg [17-46]; p = 0.95). We found no significant differences in chronic pain at 3 months between the 2 groups (0 (0%) vs 2 (9.5%) p = 0.49). Overall, the algorithm based on the pupillometry pain index decreased the dose of sufentanyl infused during cardiac surgery.Clinical trial number: NCT03864016.

Prognosis Value of Early Veno Arterial PCO2 Difference in Patients Under Peripheral Veno Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

INTRODUCTION: Veno arterial membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) is increasingly used for cardiogenic failure. However, hemodynamic targets for adequate resuscitation remain a challenge. The PCO2 gap and the ratio between PCO2 gap and the arteriovenous difference in oxygen (PCO2 gap/Da-vO2) are marker of peripheral hypoperfusion. We hypothesized that the PCO2 gap and the PCO2 gap/Da-vO2 ratio might be useful parameters in VA ECMO patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted an observational prospective study between September 2015 and February 2017. All consecutive patients >18 years of age who had been treated with peripheral VA ECMO for cardiac failure were included. We compared two groups of patients: patients who died of any cause under VA ECMO or in the 72 h following VA ECMO weaning (early death group)-and patients who survived VA ECMO weaning more than 72 h (surviving group). Blood samples were drawn from arterial and venous VA ECMO cannulas at H0, H6, and H24. The ability of PCO2 gap and PCO2 gap/Da-vO2 to discriminate between early mortality and surviving was studied using receiver operating characteristic curves analysis. RESULTS: We included 20 patients in surviving group and 29 in early death group. The PCO2 gap was higher in the early death group at H6 (7.4 mm Hg [5.7-10.1] vs. 5.9 mm Hg [3.8-9.2], P < 0.01). AUC for PCO2 gap at H6 was 0.76 (0.61-0.92), with a cutoff of 6.2 mm Hg. The PCO2 gap/Da-vO2 was higher in the early death group at H0 (2.1 [1.5-2.6] vs. 1.2 [0.9-2.4], P < 0.01) and at H6 (2.1 [1.3-2.6] vs. 1.0 [0.8-1.7], P < 0.01). AUC for PCO2 gap/Da-vO2 at H0 and H6 were 0.79 and 0.73 respectively; the cut-off value was 1.4. CONCLUSIONS: Early PCO2 gap and PCO2 gap/Da-vO2 ratio are higher in the early death group in patients under VA ECMO.