Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Utility in Postpartum Patients

Authors

Bindu Akkanti
Ismael A Salas De Armas
Ayaaz K Sachedina
Jennifer M Sunny
Mahmoud Samy Ahmed
Avaleen Kaur
Kha T Dinh
Rahat Hussain
Sachin Kumar
Sriram Nathan
Marwan Jumean
Manish K Patel
Mehmet H Akay
Jayeshkumar A Patel
Barbi Witz
John Zaki
Igor Banjac
Lisa Janowiak
Igor D Gregoric
Biswajit Kar

Publication Date

9-1-2020

Journal

The Journal of ExtraCorporeal Technology

Abstract

Although extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been used in many different populations, its use in pregnant or postpartum patients has not been widely studied. This article reviews the ECMO experience in this population at a large urban hospital. Electronic medical records for all pregnant or postpartum patients who required ECMO between 2012 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Data on clinical characteristics, outcomes, and complications were gathered. Comparisons between survivors and nonsurvivors were completed. Ten postpartum patients were identified. The patients presented as follows: four with cardiac arrest, one with a massive pulmonary embolism, three with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), one with combined ARDS and cardiogenic shock, and one with suspected amniotic embolism. Survival to decannulation was 70%, and survival to discharge was 60%. When comparing survivors vs. nonsurvivors, ECMO survivors tended to have shorter support times vs. nonsurvivors. Otherwise, no differences were noted in age, mechanical ventilation time, or length of stay. Disseminated intravascular coagulation was a common phenomenon in this patient cohort. After initiation of ECMO, elevated serum lactate levels, lower systolic blood pressure, and acute renal failure were predictors of mortality. In a single institution at a large metroplex, we present data regarding the use of ECMO in postpartum patients. ECMO can be successfully used in selected postpartum patients with severe cardiac or respiratory dysfunction. Multidisciplinary collaboration on a regular basis will streamline the ECMO referral in a timely manner. Furthermore, larger studies are indicated to understand the utility of ECMO in larger cohorts.

Keywords

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, Female, Humans, Postpartum Period, Pregnancy, Respiration, Artificial, Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Retrospective Studies, Treatment Outcome