Outcomes of an extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) program for in- and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in a tertiary hospital in Spain

Objective

To analyze if the implementation of a multidisciplinary extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) program in a tertiary hospital in Spain is feasible and could yield survival outcomes similar to international published experiences.

Design

Retrospective observational cohort study.

Setting

One tertiary referral university hospital in Spain.

Patients

All adult patients receiving ECPR between January 2019 and April 2023.

Interventions

Prospective collection of variables and follow-up for up to 180 days.

Main variables of interest

To assess outcomes, survival with good neurological outcome defined as a Cerebral Performance Categories scale 1–2 at 180 days was used. Secondary variables were collected including demographics and comorbidities, cardiac arrest and cannulation characteristics, ROSC, ECMO-related complications, survival to ECMO decannulation, survival at Intensive Care Unit (ICU) discharge, survival at 180 days, neurological outcome, cause of death and eligibility for organ donation.

Results

Fifty-four patients received ECPR, 29 for OHCA and 25 for IHCA. Initial shockable rhythm was identified in 27 (50%) patients. The most common cause for cardiac arrest was acute coronary syndrome [29 (53.7%)] followed by pulmonary embolism [7 (13%)] and accidental hypothermia [5 (9.3%)]. Sixteen (29.6%) patients were alive at 180 days, 15 with good neurological outcome. Ten deceased patients (30.3%) became organ donors after neuroprognostication.

Conclusions

The implementation of a multidisciplinary ECPR program in an experienced Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation center in Spain is feasible and can lead to good survival outcomes and valid organ donors.