Does extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation improve survival with favorable neurological outcome in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (E-CPR) may improve survival with favorable neurological outcome in patients with refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Unfortunately, recent results from randomized controlled trials were inconclusive. We performed a meta-analysis to investigate the impact of E-CPR on neurological outcome compared to conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (C-CPR).

Methods

A systematic research for articles assessing outcomes of adult patients with OHCA either treated with E-CPR or C-CPR up to April 27, 2023 was performed. Primary outcome was survival with favorable neurological outcome at discharge or 30 days. Overall survival was also assessed.

Results

Eighteen studies were included. E-CPR was associated with better survival with favorable neurological status at discharge or 30 days (14% vs 7%, OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.61–3.43, I² = 80%, p < 0.001, NNT = 17) than C-CPR. Results were consistent if the analysis was restricted to RCTs. Overall survival to discharge or 30 days was also positively affected by treatment with E-CPR (OR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.18–2.46, I² = 81%, p = 0.004, NNT = 11).

Conclusions

In this meta-analysis, E-CPR had a positive effect on survival with favorable neurological outcome and, to a smaller extent, on overall mortality in patients with refractory OHCA.