Outcomes of patients with COVID-19 supported by venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for greater than 90 days.

Objective: To determine the characteristics and outcomes of patients requiring prolonged (>90 days) venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) support for refractory Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated respiratory failure. Methods: A retrospective, observational analysis of consecutive patients requiring VV ECMO for COVID-19-associated respiratory failure was performed at a single institution between March 2020 and January 2022. Data were collected from the medical records. Patients were predominantly cannulated and supported long-term with a single, dual-lumen cannula in the internal jugular vein with the tip positioned in the pulmonary artery. All patients were managed with an awake VV ECMO approach, emphasizing avoidance of sedatives, extubation, ambulation, physical therapy, and nutrition. Patients requiring >90 days of ECMO were identified, analyzed, and compared to those needing a shorter duration of support. Results: A total of 44 patients were supported on VV ECMO during the study period, of whom 36 (82%) survived to discharge. Thirty-one patients were supported for <90 days, of whom 28 (90%) were discharged alive. Thirteen patients required >90 days of ECMO. All patients were extubated. Eight patients (62%) survived to discharge, with 1 patient requiring lung transplantation prior to decannulation. All survivors were free from mechanical ventilation and alive at a 6-month follow-up. Of the 4 patients who died on prolonged ECMO, 2 developed hemothorax necessitating surgery and 2 succumbed to fatal intracranial hemorrhage. Conclusions: Patients treated with VV ECMO for COVID-19-associated respiratory failure may require prolonged support to recover. Extubation, ambulation, aggressive rehabilitation, and nutritional support while on ECMO can yield favorable outcomes.

Outcomes of Extubated COVID and Non-COVID Patients Receiving Awake Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Cessation of continuous analgesia and sedation in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) receiving venovenous (VV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) facilitates early extubation, family, patient and provider engagement, and mobility. Outcomes associated with an awake ECMO strategy have not been well described in the literature. The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcomes in patients receiving this strategy. This was a retrospective review of ARDS patients receiving awake VV ECMO. The primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge. Secondary outcomes included days requiring ECMO, time from cannulation to extubation, complications, patients requiring tracheostomy, hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), and discharge disposition. In a subgroup analysis, outcomes were compared between non-COVID and COVID ECMO patients. Sixty-two patients were included with a survival to hospital discharge of 85.5%. Days requiring ECMO was 33.0 (0.0-75.0) and cannulation to extubation was 6.0 (4.0-11.0). Three patients received a tracheostomy (4.8%). Bleeding and infection were reported in 80.6% and 82.3% of patients, respectively. Intensive care unit length of stay was 46.0 days (29.0-90.0) and hospital LOS was 51.0 days (32.0-91.0). Over half of the patients (51.6%) were discharged to an acute rehabilitation facility and 27.4% were discharged home. There was similar survival to hospital discharge between the COVID and non-COVID awake ECMO patients (85% in both groups, p = 1.000). This study highlights the impact of an awake ECMO approach on survival to hospital discharge. Future studies are needed to evaluate this approach as compared to current practice to determine if this should become the standard.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Bridges Inoperable Patients to Definitive Cardiac Operation.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) offers an opportunity for patient recovery through complete cardiopulmonary support but is associated with complications that limit duration and overall utility. We examine the role of ECMO as a potential bridge to high-risk cardiac surgery in otherwise inoperable cases. This study reports a retrospective, multi-institution experience examining all patients for whom ECMO was used preoperatively as a bridge to definitive cardiac surgery without exception. A consecutive patient database (December 2011 through August 2017) was utilized. European System for Cardiac Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) 2 was calculated as a metric of patient acuity and risk assessment. Observed and expected mortality were compared. Twelve adult patients fit inclusion criteria and were supported with ECMO during the study period. There were five males and seven females. Average age was 56 (39-77) years. All 12 patients were supported with venoarterial ECMO for cardiogenic shock. This was done in preparation for corrective conventional cardiac surgery. Definitive cardiac surgical procedures included complex valve (n = 5), left ventricular assist device (n = 3), coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG; n = 2), CABG/ventricular septal defect repair (n = 1), and mitral valve replacement/CABG (n = 1). Average time of ECMO support was 200 (range 113-379) hours. Three patients were decannulated from ECMO at the conclusion of definitive cardiac surgery. Risk assessed by Logistic EuroSCORE 2 ranged from 64% to 89%. Average EuroSCORE 2-predicted mortality representing all 12 patients was 77%. Thirty day mortality was 25% (3/12), and hospital mortality was 33% (4/12). Seven patients are still alive today, with a mean survival of 37 (range 2-64) months. Two deaths were associated with gastrointestinal bleeding and two with evolving liver failure. Mean difference between the EuroSCORE 2 prediction model and actual observed 30 day mortality rate was 42.33 (95% CI 36.86-47.98) with a two-tailed, one-sample t test value of p < 0.001. ECMO can successfully be utilized as a bridge to conventional cardiac surgical procedures in critically ill patients, with a historically high mortality.

Delayed Retrograde Ascending Aortic Dissection After Endovascular Repair of Descending Dissection.

We report the case of a 34-year-old woman who developed delayed retrograde ascending aortic dissection after previous endovascular repair of her descending thoracic aorta. Preoperative computed tomography imaging specifically highlights the interaction of endograft springs with the dissection flap and surrounding aortic tissues. Intraoperative findings are presented for comparison and further discussion.