2. ECMO
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) uses technology derived from
cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) that allows gas exchange outside the body.
The benefits of ECMO in adult patients with cardiac failure or refractory acute respiratory
distress syndrome (ARDS) are still debated, as ECMO was initially associated with poor
survival rates.
However, recent technological advances in the ECMO circuit have led to a reduction in the
rate of technical issues and complications.
ECMO has emerged from its widespread use as a rescue therapy for patients with ARDS
and refractory hypoxaemia associated with H1N1/2009 infection (‘swine flu’).
3. Types:
An ECMO circuit can be set up in three ways:
I. Veno-Arterial ECMO (VA-ECMO):
II. Veno-Venous (VV-ECMO):
III. Arterio-Venous ECMO (AV-ECMO):
4. Description:
The circuit for VA or VV is almost identical. Blood movement is facilitated by external pump
through the membrane allowing gas exchange
The gas exchanger (oxygenator) allows more efficient CO2 removal than O2 addition
because of the solubility and better diffusion properties of CO2 relative to O2.
The most recent models (hollow fibre non-micropore membrane) present less resistance to
blood flow and are less traumatic to blood components than previous designs.¥
Centrifugal pumps are better reliable and easy to care for.
5. Cannulae
Indwelling cannulae
Venous
Arterial
Placed under
Direct vision
Percutaneous should be done ideally under ultrasound or fluoroscospy
6. Veno-Arterial ECMO:
VA-ECMO bypasses pt heart and lung
The drainage cannula is commonly placed in the inferior vena cava or rt atrium
Done by sternotomy or percutaneously by inserting the cannula via the internal jugular or the
femoral vein.
The bloods returns by cannula inserted in either
Ascending aorta(central ECMO) or (preferred esp immediately after CPB as cannula same)
Femoral Artery(peripheral ECMO)
VA-ECMO reduces cardiac work and oxygen consumption
VA-ECMO provides adequate organ perfusion
7.
8. Veno-venous ECMO
When cardiac function preserved to improve O2
Insertion of at least two cannulae in large veins
Decreases incidence of
Recirculation
Bleeding issues
Allows greater mobilization
9. AV pumpless Device:
Characterized by membrane gas exchange device integrated into a pumpless AV circuit
Cannulation of femoral artery and vein
Predominantly CO2 removal more than oxygenation
AV ECMO requires cardiac index at least 2.5 Lmin before insertion
10. Clinical indications for institution of
ECMO support:
VA-ECMO VV-ECMO
Weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass after cardiac
surgery
Any potentially reversible acute
respiratory failure
Bridge to cardiac transplantation ARDS. Associated with pneumonia (viral or bacterial)
Acute myocarditis Failed lung transplant graft
Intractable arrhythmia Trauma (pulmonary contusion)
Post-cardiac arrest (as part of Advance Life Support) Pulmonary embolism (if acceptable cardiac function)
Local anaesthetic toxicity
Pulmonary hypertension (after pulmonary
endarterectomy
11. Parameters:
VA-ECMO considered
SAP lower than 85mmHg
Cardiac Index less than 1.2L/min despite adequate preload
More than ≥two inotropes in use
Intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation
Systemic signs of low cardiac output
AV-ECMO useful in Severe hypercapnia, respiratory acidosis and moderate
hypoxemia with advantage of easier transportation no pump requirement
12. Indications:
Aim of VV-ECMO
Provide oxygenation and rest the lungs
Decrease insult by mechanical ventilation
Advantage of VV
Lowers thromboembolic complications
Lung perfusion allows endocrine function in comparison with VA-ECMO
Best survival rates are observed in pt with
Non-necrotizing viral pneumonia associated with respiratory failure
Cesar Trial compared survival at 6months in absence of severe disability in pt who developed
ARDS and has been randomized to be treated in their original or ECMO centre. The trial showed that
pt treated in ECMO centre had better outcome and approach is cost-effective
13. ECMO Contraindication:
Patients with
Irreversible organ damage
Multiorgan failure
Those who are not candidates of transplantation
Those who cannot be coagulated
Severe aortic regurgitation and aortic dissection – VA-ECMO
14. Complications:
Haemorrhage due to continuous anti-coagulation
Infection due indwelling catheters or Primary pathology
Thromboembolism pathogenesis is multifactorial
blood activation after contact with foreign surfaces
blood stasis in the cardiac chambers and the systemic veins
DIC
Thrombus in the circuit effect pump func. And in VA-ECMO can lead leg ischaemia
Cannula displacement or malposition and circuit failure = catastrophic affect
15. Blood Component Protocols for ECMO
Clinical Scenario Urgency Components Blood Groups Storage
Cardiac arrest 5-10 min 2 units RBCs O-neg RBCs <14 days, AS
ECMO circuit
disruption
5-10 min 2 units RBCs O-neg RBCs <14 days, AS
Progressive septic
shock(nonneonate)
30 min 2 units RBCs O-neg RBCs or
type specific
<10 days,
any preservative
Neonate transferred
for ECMO
1-2 hours 2 units RBCs
1 unit FFP
1 unit platelets
O-neg RBCs
AB plasma
<10 days,
CPD or CPDA
Cardiac ICU 30-60 min 2 units RBCs Type specific <7 days, AS
Gradual respiratory or
cardiac failure on
conventional support
Hours to days 2 units RBCs Type specific <10 days, CPD
AABB
16. Platelet Transfusion thresholds for
ECMO in paediatric patients:
Platelet Transfusion in neonate Patient undergoing ECMO with:
A platelet count of <100,000/μL(AABB), or 50,000-100,000/μL(ROSSI)
Higher platelet counts if bleeding
17. Paediatric Plasma Transfusion in ECMO
Patients:
ECMO is increasingly being utilized to treat a number of paediatric conditions nonresponsive to
traditional ventilatory support
As institutions use Albumin, RBC and other additives to prime the circuit, coagulopathy is
complicated
Plasma transfusion in children in ECMO, protocol includes
Factor Xa monitoring
Thromboelastography
Anti-Thrombin monitoring
Plasma to be transfused
ABO compatible but Rh matching not required
No irradiation required
10-15ml/kg plasma raises INR by 30% approx.
Rossi
18. Transfusion Guidelines for Adult in
ECMO
ELSO(Extracorporeal Life Support Organisation) has no specific guidelines for transfusion in Adults,
Although ELSO recommends 12-14g/dl. Restrictive transfusion is better outcome with
Transfusion threshold at ≤ 7g/dl(Voelker et al) whereas TRICS III showed threshold 7.5-8g/dl
reasonably good regarding composite outcome of mortality, Myocardial ischaemia etc.
Decrease Anticoagulant(Heparin) or transfuse FFP till Activated Clotting Time or PTT is 1.4 to 1.5
times normal (target aPTT 40-60 secs)
Since procedure itself results in Thrombocytopenia so it is wise to maintain the platelet count
above 100,000/μL by platelet transfusion. ELSO recommends plt above 75,000/μL
Giving Antifibrinolytics
ELSO Guidelines for Adult Respiratory Failure, August 2017
VA allows gas exchange and Hemodynamics support
VV facilitates gas exch but does not provide hemodyn support
AV facilitates gas exchange by using the patients own art blood pr to pump
¥They are less thrombogenic = less anticoagulant required
Final content of Oxygen depends on combination of ECMO and Pt blood flow
Recently dual chamber cannulae allows better drainage from inf and sup venacava and return blood to RA
VA-ECMO is indicated in pt with refractory cardiogenic shock tp bridge between ventricular assist device or cardiac transplantation
VA ECMO as Salvage tech during cardiac arrest data suggest to use 10min after Adequate unsuccessful ALS
AV ECMO cardiac function must be preserved
Alternative to conventional therapy for adults with ARDS
graft dysfunction after lung transplant
More than 50% suffer haem. Intracranial
Improvement in heparin binding tech allows interr