Table 1.
Patient data before starting respiratory extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), for the Princess Alexandra Hospital and the Gold Coast University Hospital combined
| Respiratory ECMO | ||
|---|---|---|
| Total number of cases | 49 | |
| Median age (range), years | 39 (18–75) | |
| Sex, male | 33 (67%) | |
| Median weight (range), kg | 90 (50–202) | |
| Median body mass index (range) | 28.7 (18.4–78.9) | |
| Acute respiratory diagnosis group (one only per patient) | ||
| Viral pneumonia | 19 (39%) | |
| Bacterial pneumonia | 11 (22%) | |
| Asthma | 2 (4%) | |
| Trauma and burn | 3 (6%) | |
| Aspiration pneumonitis | 7 (14%) | |
| Other acute respiratory diagnosis | 7 (14%) | |
| Non-respiratory and chronic respiratory diagnoses | 0 (0%) | |
| Immunocompromised | 6 (12%) | |
| Mechanical ventilation prior to ECMO | ||
| < 48 hours | 33 (67%) | |
| 48 hours to 7 days | 11 (22%) | |
| > 7days | 5 (10%) | |
| CNS dysfunction | 11 (22%) | |
| Acute associated non-pulmonary infection | 6 (12%) | |
| Neuromuscular blockade agents prior to ECMO | 49 (100%) | |
| NO use before ECMO | 29 (59%) | |
| HCO3 infusion before ECMO | 11 (22%) | |
| Cardiac arrest before ECMO | 7 (14%) | |
| Paco2≥ 75* | 19 (39%) | |
| Peak inspiratory pressure ≥ 42* | 13 (27%) | |
| RESP risk class | Predicted mortality (%) | Number of patients |
| I | 8% | 7 (14%) |
| II | 24% | 19 (39%) |
| III | 43% | 11 (22%) |
| IV | 67% | 9 (18%) |
| V | 82% | 3 (6%) |
CNS = central nervous system; HCO3 = bicarbonate; NO = nitric oxide; Paco2 = arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide; RESP = Respiratory ECMO Survival Prediction. All patients aged > 18 years treated with ECMO for respiratory failure.
*
Worst value in 6 hours before ECMO start time. Data collected using Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) rules in place when RESP scores were developed. Viral pneumonias with secondary bacterial infection were coded as viral pneumonia.