Long-term outcomes of out-of-center veno-arterial ECMO cannulation for cardiopulmonary failure: investigation of prognostic parameters for a decision support tool – a 16-year retrospective study

Abstract Background Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) has served as a crucial intervention for critically ill patients with persistent cardiopulmonary failure. A standardized approach improves VA ECMO outcomes, which is why ECMO is currently limited to specialized centers....

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Main Authors: Walter Petermichl, Alois Philipp, Maik Foltan, Andrea Stadlbauer, Peter-Paul Ellmauer, Christian Merten, Sebastian Blecha, Thomas Müller, Bernhard Ulm, Bernhard Graf, Dirk Lunz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13049-025-01401-7
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author Walter Petermichl
Alois Philipp
Maik Foltan
Andrea Stadlbauer
Peter-Paul Ellmauer
Christian Merten
Sebastian Blecha
Thomas Müller
Bernhard Ulm
Bernhard Graf
Dirk Lunz
author_facet Walter Petermichl
Alois Philipp
Maik Foltan
Andrea Stadlbauer
Peter-Paul Ellmauer
Christian Merten
Sebastian Blecha
Thomas Müller
Bernhard Ulm
Bernhard Graf
Dirk Lunz
author_sort Walter Petermichl
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) has served as a crucial intervention for critically ill patients with persistent cardiopulmonary failure. A standardized approach improves VA ECMO outcomes, which is why ECMO is currently limited to specialized centers. However, transferring critically ill patients to these ECMO centers is not without risk. Portable ECMO devices allow implantation in out-of-center settings prior to transportation. Despite efforts to standardize decision-making, significant variability remains, particularly in out-of-center (OoC) settings with limited data. Due to persistently high mortality, accurate indications are needed to optimize outcomes. This study aims to identify key factors associated with favorable outcomes in OoC VA ECMO and to develop practical decision-making tools for clinicians in these settings. Methods We retrospectively investigated the outcomes of VA ECMO implantation in out-of-center settings between 2006 and 2022 at our institution. Parameters assessed prior to VA ECMO implantation, including organ failure count, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and laboratory data, were analyzed. Follow-up data were collected to evaluate functional (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group [ECOG] performance status) and neurological (cerebral performance category score [CPC]) (outcomes. Statistical analyses were performed using non-parametric methods and SHAP importance analysis. Results A total of 56.5% (195 of 345 patients) who underwent VA ECMO implantation in OoC survived, and 43.8% had a favorable neurological outcome (CPC 1). 37.6% of patients had good functional outcomes (ECOG 0–1). Patients with a MAP > 54 mmHg had better long-term functional outcomes, and those with a MAP > 64 mmHg had better mid-term neurological outcomes. Poor outcomes were associated with reduced coagulation activity and increased thrombogenicity. Renal and multi-organ failure prior to VA ECMO implantation were associated with poor neurological and functional outcomes. Conclusions Through importance analyses, we identified key and secondary factors associated with favorable outcomes in OoC VA ECMO. The extent and severity of organ failure prior to VA ECMO implantation are crucial in determining outcomes. Hemodynamic status, as reflected by MAP, along with organ failure prior to VA-ECMO implantation, significantly influences neurological and functional outcomes. Patients with better hemodynamic stability and coagulation profiles had significantly improved chances of survival with favorable neurological and functional outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-66d97b8e2e3541b7ada2a05ca8ac38342025-08-20T03:10:32ZengBMCScandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine1757-72412025-05-0133111710.1186/s13049-025-01401-7Long-term outcomes of out-of-center veno-arterial ECMO cannulation for cardiopulmonary failure: investigation of prognostic parameters for a decision support tool – a 16-year retrospective studyWalter Petermichl0Alois Philipp1Maik Foltan2Andrea Stadlbauer3Peter-Paul Ellmauer4Christian Merten5Sebastian Blecha6Thomas Müller7Bernhard Ulm8Bernhard Graf9Dirk Lunz10Department of Anesthesiology, University Medical Center RegensburgDepartment of Cardio Technology, University Medical Center RegensburgDepartment of Cardio Technology, University Medical Center RegensburgDepartment of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Medical Center RegensburgDepartment of Anesthesiology, University Medical Center RegensburgDepartment of Anesthesiology, University Medical Center RegensburgDepartment of Anesthesiology, University Medical Center RegensburgDepartment of Cardiology, University Medical Center RegensburgStatistics Office, University Medical Center Rechts Der IsarDepartment of Anesthesiology, University Medical Center RegensburgDepartment of Anesthesiology, University Medical Center RegensburgAbstract Background Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) has served as a crucial intervention for critically ill patients with persistent cardiopulmonary failure. A standardized approach improves VA ECMO outcomes, which is why ECMO is currently limited to specialized centers. However, transferring critically ill patients to these ECMO centers is not without risk. Portable ECMO devices allow implantation in out-of-center settings prior to transportation. Despite efforts to standardize decision-making, significant variability remains, particularly in out-of-center (OoC) settings with limited data. Due to persistently high mortality, accurate indications are needed to optimize outcomes. This study aims to identify key factors associated with favorable outcomes in OoC VA ECMO and to develop practical decision-making tools for clinicians in these settings. Methods We retrospectively investigated the outcomes of VA ECMO implantation in out-of-center settings between 2006 and 2022 at our institution. Parameters assessed prior to VA ECMO implantation, including organ failure count, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and laboratory data, were analyzed. Follow-up data were collected to evaluate functional (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group [ECOG] performance status) and neurological (cerebral performance category score [CPC]) (outcomes. Statistical analyses were performed using non-parametric methods and SHAP importance analysis. Results A total of 56.5% (195 of 345 patients) who underwent VA ECMO implantation in OoC survived, and 43.8% had a favorable neurological outcome (CPC 1). 37.6% of patients had good functional outcomes (ECOG 0–1). Patients with a MAP > 54 mmHg had better long-term functional outcomes, and those with a MAP > 64 mmHg had better mid-term neurological outcomes. Poor outcomes were associated with reduced coagulation activity and increased thrombogenicity. Renal and multi-organ failure prior to VA ECMO implantation were associated with poor neurological and functional outcomes. Conclusions Through importance analyses, we identified key and secondary factors associated with favorable outcomes in OoC VA ECMO. The extent and severity of organ failure prior to VA ECMO implantation are crucial in determining outcomes. Hemodynamic status, as reflected by MAP, along with organ failure prior to VA-ECMO implantation, significantly influences neurological and functional outcomes. Patients with better hemodynamic stability and coagulation profiles had significantly improved chances of survival with favorable neurological and functional outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13049-025-01401-7Critical care interhospital transferCardiopulmonary failureVeno-arterial ECMOOut of centerIndication criteriaOutcome
spellingShingle Walter Petermichl
Alois Philipp
Maik Foltan
Andrea Stadlbauer
Peter-Paul Ellmauer
Christian Merten
Sebastian Blecha
Thomas Müller
Bernhard Ulm
Bernhard Graf
Dirk Lunz
Long-term outcomes of out-of-center veno-arterial ECMO cannulation for cardiopulmonary failure: investigation of prognostic parameters for a decision support tool – a 16-year retrospective study
Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine
Critical care interhospital transfer
Cardiopulmonary failure
Veno-arterial ECMO
Out of center
Indication criteria
Outcome
title Long-term outcomes of out-of-center veno-arterial ECMO cannulation for cardiopulmonary failure: investigation of prognostic parameters for a decision support tool – a 16-year retrospective study
title_full Long-term outcomes of out-of-center veno-arterial ECMO cannulation for cardiopulmonary failure: investigation of prognostic parameters for a decision support tool – a 16-year retrospective study
title_fullStr Long-term outcomes of out-of-center veno-arterial ECMO cannulation for cardiopulmonary failure: investigation of prognostic parameters for a decision support tool – a 16-year retrospective study
title_full_unstemmed Long-term outcomes of out-of-center veno-arterial ECMO cannulation for cardiopulmonary failure: investigation of prognostic parameters for a decision support tool – a 16-year retrospective study
title_short Long-term outcomes of out-of-center veno-arterial ECMO cannulation for cardiopulmonary failure: investigation of prognostic parameters for a decision support tool – a 16-year retrospective study
title_sort long term outcomes of out of center veno arterial ecmo cannulation for cardiopulmonary failure investigation of prognostic parameters for a decision support tool a 16 year retrospective study
topic Critical care interhospital transfer
Cardiopulmonary failure
Veno-arterial ECMO
Out of center
Indication criteria
Outcome
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13049-025-01401-7
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