Minimally invasive arthroscopy-assisted arthrodesis for thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis.

INTRODUCTION: Arthrodesis is a reliable surgical procedure for treatment of thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) osteoarthritis that provides hand strength and pain relief. Locking plate fixation is a common technique that provides rigid fixation and a high rate of bone union; however, it requires extensive surgical exploration of the first metacarpal and trapezium. Here, we report the surgical outcome of minimally invasive arthroscopy-assisted thumb CMC arthrodesis that preserves soft tissue supplying the blood flow to the bones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine thumbs of nine patients who underwent arthroscopy-assisted thumb CMC arthrodesis were retrospectively analysed (mean postoperative follow-up, 19.7 months). We investigated the time from surgery to bone union, grip strength, pinch strength (pulp and key), range of motion (ROM) of the thumb, visual analogue scale (VAS) score for pain, Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score, and Hand20 questionnaire score preoperatively and at the final follow-up. RESULTS: Bone union was observed in eight of the nine patients. The mean time to bone union was 2.9 months (range 8 weeks-9 months). Although grip strength changed from 24.0 kg preoperatively to 25.8 kg at the final follow-up (not significant), the pulp pinch strength and key pinch strength significantly increased from 2.3 kg and 3.7 kg preoperatively to 3.8 kg and 5.6 kg at the final follow-up, respectively. No significant change occurred in the thumb ROM. The DASH score, Hand20 questionnaire score, and VAS score for pain significantly improved from 29.8, 42.2, and 78.4 preoperatively to 12.4, 11.2, and 13.2 at the final follow-up, respectively. Non-union was observed in one patient. No other complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopy-assisted arthrodesis is a valuable procedure for thumb CMC osteoarthritis. However, the learning curve for this procedure must be overcome before the operative time can be shortened and successful bone union and satisfactory outcomes achieved.

Two-stage reconstruction using a vancomycin-impregnated cement spacer for finger osteomyelitis with bone and joint destruction.

OBJECTIVES: Septic arthritis and osteomyelitis are serious infections. Several treatment methods for the small joints and bones of the hands have been reported. We hypothesized that antibiotic-impregnated cement spacers could be useful for purulent finger osteomyelitis with bone and joint destruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seven patients with finger osteomyelitis with bone and joint destruction were treated using vancomycin (VCM)-impregnated cement spacers. During the first surgery, a cement spacer was placed in the space created after debridement, maintaining finger length. Intraoperative specimens were tested for bacterial growth. Systemic antibiotic treatment was administered. A second surgery was performed 6-8 weeks after the first. After spacer removal, reconstruction surgeries were performed: arthrodesis using the Masquelet technique (n = 5), vascularized bone grafting (n = 1), and silicone implant arthroplasty (n = 1). We assessed the pathogenic bacteria, duration of antibiotic treatment, infection control, time to bone union, pain on visual analogue scale (VAS) (0 - 100), total active motion (TAM) of the affected fingers, and grip strength. RESULTS: The pathogenic bacteria were methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and unknown in 3, 3, and 1 patients, respectively. Mean duration of antibiotic treatment was 6.4 weeks. In all patients, infection resolved without recurrence. One patient underwent joint arthroplasty; otherwise, bone union was achieved in 6 patients. Mean VAS score for pain was 0.9. Mean TAM was 147° for the index and middle fingers and 50° for the thumb. Mean grip strength was 86.4% of that of the unaffected side. CONCLUSION: VCM-impregnated cement spacers could be useful for finger osteomyelitis, facilitating effective infection control and the maintenance of finger length, even in severe conditions.

First Dorsal Metacarpal Artery-pedicled Second Metacarpal Vascularized Bone Graft for Nonunion after Thumb Carpometacarpal Arthrodesis.

Arthrodesis is a reliable surgical procedure for treating thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis. However, the most frequent and problematic complication of arthrodesis is nonunion. Although postarthrodesis-related nonunion is a common complication, the indications and results of revision procedures for this pathological condition have not been well documented. A 59-year-old man underwent arthrodesis for thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis, which resulted in painful nonunion 7 months after the surgery. We performed revision surgery for this pathological condition, using first dorsal metacarpal artery-pedicled second metacarpal vascularized bone graft. This method resulted in successful bone union and pain relief. First dorsal metacarpal artery-pedicled second metacarpal vascularized bone grafting could be an alternative method for nonunion, which is a common complication after thumb carpometacarpal arthrodesis.

Trapeziectomy with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition arthroplasty continuously improves hand functions up to 5-year postoperatively.

INTRODUCTION: Trapeziectomy with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition (LRTI) arthroplasty is a reliable surgical procedure for the treatment of thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis, which provides good long-term outcomes. However, it remains unclear when the greatest benefit of this procedure can be obtained, and how long these benefits will continue. Therefore, we investigated the middle- to long-term advantages of this procedure by analysing the chronological changes in clinical outcomes by following the same patients from 1 year to a median 5 years after trapeziectomy with LRTI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen thumbs that completed consecutive clinical and radiographic evaluations preoperatively, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, and median 5 years (range 4-8 years) after trapeziectomy with LRTI were included in this study. We investigated grip strength, pinch strength, range of motion (ROM) of the thumb, a visual analogue scale for pain, Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, Hand20 questionnaire score, trapezial space height, and trapezial space ratio at every time point. RESULTS: Hand strength (grip, pulp, and lateral pinch), palmar abduction, DASH score, and Hand20 questionnaire score were improved at 1 year postoperatively while the radial abduction showed significant improvement at the final follow-up. Moreover, pulp pinch strength, DASH score, and Hand20 questionnaire score continued to improve significantly from 1 year postoperatively to the final follow-up. Conversely, trapezial space height and ratio continuously decreased up to the final follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Trapeziectomy with LRTI consecutively improved the pinch strength, ROM of the thumb, DASH score, and Hand20 questionnaire score up to 5 years postoperatively. It also maintained the improvement of the other clinical outcomes up to 5 years postoperatively except for radiological findings.

ECMO During COVID-19: A Society of Thoracic Surgeons/Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Survey.

Background: The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Workforce on Critical Care and the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization sought to identify how the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has changed the practice of venoarterial (VA) and venovenous (VV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) programs across North America. Methods: A 26-question survey covering 6 categories (ECMO initiation, cannulation, management, anticoagulation, triage/protocols, and credentialing) was emailed to 276 North American Extracorporeal Life Support Organization centers. ECMO practices before and during the COVID-19 pandemic were compared. Results: Responses were received from 93 (34%) programs. The percentage of high-volume (>20 cases per year) VV ECMO programs increased during the pandemic from 29% to 41% (P < .001), as did institutions requiring multiple clinicians for determining initiation of ECMO (VV ECMO, 25% to 43% [P = .001]; VA ECMO, 20% to 32% [P = .012]). During the pandemic, more institutions developed their own protocols for resource allocation (23% before to 51%; P < .001), and more programs created sharing arrangements to triage patients and equipment with other centers (31% to 57%; P < .001). Direct thrombin inhibitor use increased for both VA ECMO (13% to 18%; P = .025) and VV ECMO (12% to 24%; P = .005). Although cardiothoracic surgeons remained the primary cannulating proceduralists, VV ECMO cannulations performed by pulmonary and critical care physicians increased (13% to 17%; P = .046). Conclusions: The Society of Thoracic Surgeons/Extracorporeal Life Support Organization collaborative survey indicated that the pandemic has affected ECMO practice. Further research on these ECMO strategies and lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic may be useful in future global situations.

Save the Leg: Utilization of Distal Perfusion Catheter With Impella CP® May Prevent Morbidity of Limb.

Leg ischemia is a potential complication of percutaneous left ventricular assist device (Impella CP®) placement. To avoid leg ischemia in at-risk patients, a distal perfusion catheter (DPC) should be placed. In utilizing a passive distal perfusion system from the contralateral femoral artery, we optimized blood flow to the distal limb mitigating leg ischemia. A 65-year-old female with dilated cardiomyopathy complicated by hemodynamic instability was placed on an Impella CP via the right femoral artery. A DPC was placed to the right distal femoral artery and connected to the wire re-access port of the Impella CP. Despite this, the leg became ischemic shortly after admission to the ICU. A contralateral femoral arterial line was placed in standard fashion, and it was connected to the DPC while the wire re-access port was capped. Shortly after placement of the new DPC system, the right lower extremity distal pulses returned, and distal leg ischemia was resolved. Another patient, a 67-year-old male with acute myocardial infarction, was placed on an Impella CP via the left femoral artery for cardiogenic shock. His hemodynamics continued to deteriorate, requiring initiation of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) via the right femoral artery and vein with associated DPC placement. Shortly after the initiation of VA ECMO, the Impella CP-related extremity (left leg) became ischemic. A left femoral DPC was placed and connected to the side port of the right femoral arterial cannula. After initiation of the additional DPC system, the left leg ischemia resolved. Distal leg ischemia with Impella CP is not a rare event. Utilization of a DPC to Impella CP may decrease the morbidity of limb malperfusion.

Massive hemoptysis bridged with VV ECMO: A case report.

Objective: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can provide full pulmonary support when a patient is completely apneic. The combination of veno-venous (VV) ECMO and induced apnea can be utilized to control significant hemoptysis. We present a case of massive hemoptysis that developed while on VV ECMO and was treated with temporary discontinuation of the ventilator and serial declotting bronchoscopies. Methods: A 42-year-old male with recent acute ST elevation myocardial infarction status post cardiac stent developed aspiration pneumonia that progressed to acute respiratory distress syndrome. The patient's biventricular function was preserved. VV ECMO was placed for lung rescue on hospital day #7, and tracheostomy was performed for ventilator dependence on hospital day #12. On hospital day #18, the patient developed significant hemoptysis despite the discontinuation of anticoagulation. Bronchoscopy revealed massive bleeding from bilateral bronchi. To facilitate tamponade within the tracheobronchial tree, the ventilator was temporarily discontinued while VV ECMO provided full respiratory support. After 48 h, mechanical ventilation was resumed, and daily bronchoscopies were performed to remove clots from both bronchi until a chest x-ray showed improvement in bilateral opacifications. Bronchoscopy was performed a total of 14 times. There was no recurrence of bronchial bleeding, the patient's respiratory status improved, and VV ECMO was weaned off on hospital day #37. The patient was transferred to a long-term rehabilitation facility 36 days after successful VV ECMO decannulation on hospital day #73. Conclusions: This patient's survival of massive hemoptysis was facilitated largely by the utilization of serial declotting bronchoscopies with VV ECMO providing full pulmonary support during temporary discontinuation of mechanical ventilation.

Surgical Triage and Timing for Patients With Coronavirus Disease: A Guidance Statement from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to disrupt the provision of cardiac procedural services due to overwhelming interval surges in COVID-19 cases and the associated crisis of cardiac intervention deferment. Despite the availability of widespread testing, highly efficacious vaccines, and intensive public health efforts, the pandemic is entering its third year, where new severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 variants have increased the likelihood that patients scheduled for a cardiac intervention will contract COVID-19 in the perioperative period. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Workforce on Critical Care, the STS Workforce on Adult Cardiac and Vascular Surgery, and the Canadian Society of Cardiac Surgeons have developed this document, endorsed by the STS and affirmed by the Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions and the Canadian Association of Interventional Cardiology, to provide guidance for cardiac procedure deferment and intervention timing for preoperative patients diagnosed with COVID-19. This document is intended for the perioperative cardiac surgical team and outlines the present state of the pandemic, the impact of COVID-19 on intervention outcome, and offers a recommended algorithm for individualized cardiac procedure triage and timing.

A multidisciplinary approach to prolonged extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for acute respiratory distress syndrome due to coronavirus 2019-case report.

Patients with novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) may develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and require extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. Currently there is no specific treatment for COVID-19 available; thus, for patients with severe ARDS, the respiratory condition needs to improve while on ECMO support. Here we present a multidisciplinary team approach to the care of a patient with COVID-related ARDS requiring three months of veno-venous (VV) ECMO which lead to recovery. A 35-year-old male was transferred to us with ARDS due to COVID-19 infection with a lactate 13.7 mmol/L and an arterial-blood gas oxygenation of 75 mmHg on maximum ventilator settings. He was placed on VV ECMO during which he developed pneumonia, bacteremia, and pneumothoraces; however, his other organ functions were preserved. During his time in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), multiple subspecialist teams participated in his care including physicians, pharmacists, nurses, nutritionists, case management, and social work. The VV ECMO was weaned off after 91 days of support, after which he had a prolonged hospital course due to inflammatory bowel disease, and aspiration pneumonia. CT scan performed six weeks prior to discharge showed mild improvement in diffuse airspace opacities superimposed on extensive chronic cystic changes. He was eventually discharged to a rehabilitation facility 68 days after ECMO removal. He was then seen in our outpatient pulmonary clinic one month and our Post-Intensive Care Syndrome clinic three months after discharge on two liters of nasal cannula oxygen. Pulmonary function testing done at this time demonstrated severe restrictive lung disease and severely reduced diffusion capacity. This case highlights the need for multidisciplinary collaboration among hospital teams to ensure success and patient survival in the setting of COVID ARDS. In those COVID ARDS patients with intact renal, metabolic, hematologic, and cardiovascular function, ECMO should be strongly considered.

Red blood cell transfusion requirements for patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a rescue procedure used for cardiac and pulmonary dysfunction. Patients on ECMO often require blood transfusions to maintain oxygen delivery and recover from bleeding complications. Goals of the current study were to determine transfusion requirements while on ECMO, and incidence and transfusion requirements for bleeding complications. METHODS: Packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions and bleeding complications were identified by retrospective chart review of patients on ECMO from 2010 to 2018 at our institution. Patients were categorized into those who did not bleed (group A) and those who bled (group B). Incidence, sites of bleed, and transfusion requirement for each bleeding were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 217 patients including veno-arterial (VA) (n = 148) and veno-venous (VV) (n = 69) ECMO, we identified 62 patients without bleeding complications (group A) and 155 patients with bleeding complications (group B). In group A, transfusion requirement was 0.6 PRBC/day for VA-ECMO (n = 42) and 0.2 PRBC/day for VV-ECMO (n = 20) (p = 0.0015). In group B, number of PRBC given per event per day for bleeding complications during ECMO was mediastinal/thoracic bleed (83 events, 4.7 PRBC/event/day), gastrointestinal bleed (59 events, 4.8 PRBC/event/day), cannulation site bleed (88 events, 3.6 PRBC/event/day), and nasopharyngeal bleed (103 events, 2.8 PRBC/event/day). Thirty-day hospital mortality rate was co-related to transfusion requirement (area under ROC curve: 0.70). CONCLUSION: Patients without clinical bleeding still required transfusion, with higher rates observed with VA- than VV-ECMO. Transfusion requirements dramatically increased when patients developed various bleeding complications and had a significant impact on 30-day mortality rate.

Complications of Peripheral Cannulation Site in Obese Patients on Adult Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Placement of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in obese patients has been challenging; however, cannulation risk in obese patients has not been clearly investigated. We therefore explored ECMO cannulation complications in this obese population. Data were reviewed from adult ECMO database from 2010 to 2019. Patients were stratified by body mass index (BMI) (normal weight [NW] [BMI 18.5-24.9], overweight [BMI 25-29.9], class I [BMI 30-34.9], class II [BMI 35-39.9], class III [BMI >40]). Patients with central cannulation were excluded from this study. Combined ECMO cannulation complications and survival data were retrospectively analyzed. There were 233 patients, 156 venoarterial (VA) ECMO patients (45 [28%] NW, 51 [33%] overweight, 37 [24%] class I, 12 [8%] class II, and 11 [7.0%] class III) and 77 venovenous (VV) ECMO patients (14 [18%] NW, 13 [17%] overweight, 17 [22%] class I, 11 [14%] class II, and 22 [29%] class III). There were significantly more cannulation site bleeds in VA class III (55%) patients compared with VA NW patients (22%), p = 0.006. There was no significant difference in cannulation site bleeding between BMI groups for VV ECMO. There was no difference in 30 day mortality, ECMO survival for all BMI groups in both VA and VV ECMO. There is significant increased risk of bleeding with peripheral VA cannulation of obese patients with BMI > 35. Cannulating surgeon should be aware of this bleeding risk in morbidly obese patient who undergo VA ECMO.

Outcomes of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in influenza versus COVID-19 during the first wave of COVID-19.

PURPOSE: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a refractory treatment for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to influenza and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, also referred to as coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]). We conducted this study to compare the outcomes of influenza patients treated with veno-venous-ECMO (VV-ECMO) to COVID-19 patients treated with VV-ECMO, during the first wave of COVID-19. METHODS: Patients in our institution with ARDS due to COVID-19 or influenza who were placed on ECMO between August 1, 2010 and September 15, 2020 were included in this comparative, retrospective study. To improve homogeneity, only VV-ECMO patients were analyzed. The clinical characteristics and outcomes were extracted and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 28 COVID-19 patients and 17 influenza patients were identified and included. ECMO survival rates were 68% (19/28) in COVID-19 patients and 94% (16/17) in influenza patients (p = .04). Thirty days survival rates after ECMO decannulation were 54% (15/28) in COVID-19 patients and 76% (13/17) in influenza patients (p = .13). COVID-19 patients spent a longer time on ECMO compared to flu patients (21 vs. 12 days; p = .025), and more COVID-19 patients (26/28 vs. 2/17) were on immunomodulatory therapy before ECMO initiation (p < .001). COVID-19 patients had higher rates of new infections during ECMO (50% vs. 18%; p = .03) and bacterial pneumonia (36% vs. 6%; p = .024). CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 patients who were treated in our institution with VV-ECMO had statistically lower ECMO survival rates than influenza patients. It is possible that COVID-19 immunomodulation therapies may increase the risk of other superimposed infections.

Outcomes of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in acute respiratory distress syndrome due to COVID-19: The lessons learned from the first wave of COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been used as a refractory treatment for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but there has been little evidence of its efficacy. We conducted this study to share our experience using ECMO as a bridge to recovery for ARDS due to COVID-19. METHODS: All adult patients who were placed on ECMO for ARDS due to COVID-19 between April 2020 and June 2020 (during the first wave of COVID-19) were identified. The clinical characteristics and outcomes of these patients were analyzed with a specific focus on the differences between patients who survived to hospital discharge and those who did not. RESULTS: In total, 20 COVID-19 patients were included in this study. All patients were placed on veno-veno ECMO. Comparing survivors and non-survivors, older age was found to be associated with hospital mortality (p = .02). The following complications were observed: renal failure requiring renal replacement therapy (35%, n = 7), bacteremia during ECMO (20%, n = 4), coinfection with bacterial pneumonia (15%, n = 3), cannula site bleeding (15%, n = 3), stroke (10%, n = 2), gastrointestinal bleeding (10%, n = 2), and liver failure (5%, n = 1). The complications associated with patient mortality were culture-positive septic shock (p = .01), culture-negative systemic inflammatory response syndrome (p = .01), and renal failure (p = .01). The causes of death were septic shock (44%, n = 4), culture-negative systemic inflammatory response syndrome (44%, n = 4), and stroke (11%, n = 1). CONCLUSIONS: Based on our experience, ECMO can improve refractory ARDS due to COVID-19 in select patients. Proper control of bacterial infections during COVID-19 immunomodulation therapy may be critical to improving survival.

Reverse radiodorsal artery-pedicled thumb metacarpal vascularized bone graft for osteochondral fracture of the thumb interphalangeal joint with a bone defect: A case report.

Osteochondral fractures of the fingers are challenging to treat, and it is mandatory to acquire early bone union and joint surface reconstruction to obtain satisfactory outcomes. These injuries sometimes occur as open fractures with poor soft tissue condition and bone defect adjacent to osteochondral fragment. For such cases, surgical treatment can be more difficult, and vascularized bone graft (VBG) could be a useful method for joint reconstruction. Here, we report reverse-pedicled VBG based on the radiodorsal artery of the thumb for reconstructing a traumatic bone defect of the thumb. A 36-year-old man, who had ulcerative colitis and was taking immunosuppressive agents, sustained open fracture-dislocation of the thumb interphalangeal joint with a free osteochondral fragment of the proximal phalanx and 6 × 5 × 4 mm of subcondylar bone defect. We harvested 5 × 5 × 5 mm VBG at the base of the first metacarpal bone and dissected running the radiodorsal artery. The vascularized bone was grafted into the bone defect site through the subcutaneous tunnel created on the radial aspect of the proximal phalanx and fixed with a Kirschner wire. Bony union was obtained 2 months after surgery. At 7 months after the operation, the patient complained no pain, and the range of motion of the thumb interphalangeal joint was extension 0° and flexion 42°. Radiographs showed no avascular necrosis of the united fragment and osteoarthritis of the interphalangeal joint. This method could be a useful option for reconstruction of the thumb with bone defects.

Outcomes of end-organ function and survival with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

INTRODUCTION: Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is a temporary therapy option for refractory cardiac or respiratory failure. Preliminary study suggests that ECMO aids in the recovery of end-organ function by maintaining systemic perfusion. METHODS: A retrospective IRB approved database research and chart review was performed on patients initiated on veno-arterial (VA-) ECMO between September 2010 and April 2019. End-organ injury markers were compared between the pre-ECMO period, defined as markers recorded before ECMO initiation, and the pre-decannulation period, defined as markers prior to ECMO decannulation. Data was expressed with mean ± standard deviation, or median [quartile 1, quartile 3] and compared between Pre-ECMO and per-decannulation period. RESULTS: Among the 159 VA-ECMO patients, 100 patients (63%) survived ECMO with mean ECMO duration 10 ± 7 days. Within the survival group, 78 patients (49%) weaned to recovery, and 22 patients (14%) weaned off to durable implantable devices. Compared to the pre-ECMO period, the pre-decannulation period significantly improved in pH (7.23 ± 0.19 vs. 7.40 ± 0.09; p < 0.001) and lactate (5.5 [2.3, 9.0] vs. 1.6 [0.9, 2.3]; p < 0.001), and serum creatinine (1.4 [1.1, 2.1] vs. 1.1 [0.8, 1.7]; p < 0.001). Significant changes were noted in ventilation parameters as well, such as FiO2 (100 [100, 100] vs. 50 [50, 50]; p < 0.001), PaO2 (88 [62, 135], 126 [87, 162]; p < 0.001) and PEEP (8.0 [5.0, 12.0] vs. 5.0 [5.0, 8.0]; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Maintaining perfusion with VA-ECMO utilization on indicated patients demonstrated improvements in end-organ functions. Survival rates of VA-ECMO patients were also optimistic.

Correction to: Don't Drive Blind: Driving Pressure to Optimize Ventilator Management in ECMO.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. The spelling of the Hitoshi Hirose name was incorrect. It was corrected in this erratum.

Don't Drive Blind: Driving Pressure to Optimize Ventilator Management in ECMO.

INTRODUCTION: Driving pressure (DP) while on ECMO has been studied in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) but no studies exist in those on ECMO without ARDS. We aimed to study association of mortality with DP in all patients on ECMO and compare change in DP before and after initiation of ECMO. METHODS: Consecutive patients placed on ECMO either veno-arterial ECMO or veno-venous ECMO between August 2010 and February 2017 were reviewed. The outcomes were compared based on DP before and after ECMO initiation. RESULTS: A total of 192 patients were included: 68 (35%) had ARDS while 124 (65%) did not. There were 70 individuals for whom DP was available, 33 (47%) had a decrease in DP, whereas 32 (46%) had an increase in DP and 5 (7%) had no change in DP after ECMO initiation. Those with an increase in DP had a higher initial PEEP (14 vs 9 cm H2O, p < 0.001) and a higher PEEP decrease after ECMO (6.4 cm H2O vs by 2.5 cm H2O, p < 0.001). Those with an increase in DP had a significantly longer stay on ECMO than those without (p = 0.022). On multivariable analysis, higher DP 24 h after ECMO initiation was associated with an increase in 30-day mortality (OR 1.15, 75% CI 1.07-1.24, p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of patients experienced an increase in driving pressure and decrease in compliance after initiation of ECMO. Higher driving pressure after initiation of ECMO is associated with increased adjusted 30-day mortality. Individualized ventilator strategies are needed to reduce mechanical stress while on ECMO.