Abstract
Introduction
Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (eCPR) is increasingly applied in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) patients. Treatment results are promising, but the efficacy and safety of the procedure are still unclear. Currently, there are no recommended target perfusion parameters during eCPR, the lack of which could result in inadequate (re)perfusion. We aim to perform a scoping review to explore the current literature addressing target perfusion parameters, target values, corresponding survival rates and neurologic outcomes in OHCA and IHCA patients treated with eCPR.
Methods and analysis
To identify relevant research, we will conduct searches in the electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, Social Science Citation Index, Social Science Citation Index Expanded and the Cochrane library. We will also check references of relevant articles and perform a cited reference research (forward citation tracking).
Two independent reviewers will screen titles and abstracts, check full texts for eligibility and perform data extraction. We will resolve dissent by consensus, moderated by a third reviewer. We will include observational and controlled studies addressing target perfusion parameters and outcomes such as survival rates and neurologic findings in OHCA and IHCA patients treated with eCPR. Data extraction tables will be set up, including study and patients’ characteristics, aim of study, details on eCPR including target perfusion parameters and reported outcomes. We will summarise the data using tables and figures (ie, bubble plot) to present the research landscape and to describe potential clusters and/or gaps.
Ethics and dissemination
An ethical approval is not needed. We intend to publish the scoping review in a peer-reviewed journal and present results on a scientific meeting.
Keywords: extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, extracorporeal life support, reanimation, cardiac arrest, scoping review
Strengths and limitations of this study.
We will perform a comprehensive systematic literature search addressing target parameters and target values, as well as survival rates and neurologic outcomes in extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (eCPR) applied in adult out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and in-hospital cardiac arrest patients regardless of comorbidities.
The scoping review will be reported according to the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis statement for scoping reviews and, therefore, will be conducted in line with ‘the state-of-the-art’ criteria.
Two members of the team will independently conduct the entire study inclusion (literature screening) and data extraction process, to avoid bias during research process.
In order to avoid the common heterogeneity of outcome presentation in eCPR literature, we clearly predefined outcome variables, which will be incorporated in the scoping review.
The language of articles, which will be included, is restricted to English and German.
Introduction
Background
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) are associated with poor results.1–6 In both locations of cardiac arrest (CA), survival rate with a favourable neurological outcome, expressed by a cerebral performance category score of 1–2, is low.7 8 The initial strategy is to bridge CA by any kind of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), so called conventional CPR, mechanically performed chest compression CPR (mCPR) or, recently, extracorporeal CPR (eCPR). eCPR requires an extracorporeal mechanical circulatory support. In this setup, perfusion of the body is restored and maintained by an extracorporeal life support (ECLS) device, also called venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO).9 10 An outflow cannula is usually placed in the femoral and/or jugular vein and the femoral artery usually serves as an access for inflow of the artificially oxygenated blood.11 In order to improve outcomes of both OHCA and IHCA, some groups started to extend their CPR programme by eCPR. Different guidelines and consensus papers on this topic have recently been published.7 12–14 However, whether they are based on the best available evidence is currently questionable.
Rationale
Results of eCPR in OHCA and IHCA are promising but still not satisfactory.15 16 The ‘right’ choice and adjustment of perfusion parameters as target parameters during eCPR seem to be heterogenic.12 13 15–17 Brooks et al, as well as Grunau et al, pointed out the differing framework of eCPR in OHCA of various hospitals and also mentioned a variable description of practice and patient inclusion in eCPR in OHCA.17 18 Heterogenic implementation of perfusion practice during eCPR may lead to suboptimal reanimation results and may inhibit both efficacy and safety of eCPR as a treatment option for IHCA and OHCA.
Objectives
It is necessary to systematically review eCPR literature addressing associations between perfusion parameters and target values as well as survival rates and neurologic outcomes. Therefore, the planned scoping review will address the following questions:
Which perfusion parameters are used as target parameters during eCPR in IHCA and OHCA, respectively?
What are the target values of these targeted perfusion parameters in IHCA and OHCA, respectively?
What are the respective survival rates and neurological outcome scores to hospital discharge?
Methods and analysis
This protocol is written with reference to the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols statement19 and ‘a priori’ defines the following methodology on which the scoping review will be based on the following:
Eligibility criteria
We will include any controlled clinical study design (randomised controlled trials and non-randomised controlled trials) providing information on perfusion target parameters and on survival rates and neurological outcomes in adults (>18 years old) treated with eCPR, with the need of resuscitation of presumed cardiac origin. We will exclude patients who received any kind of mechanical circulatory support immediately after cardiac surgery due to failed weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass. Case studies and articles which do not clearly distinguish between OHCA and IHCA will also be excluded. CA of pulmorespiratory origin is an exclusion criterium, as well.
Information sources
Our search terms will combine controlled terms and free-text searches (table 1). The search strategies will be adapted to each database. We will develop the final search strategy in collaboration with an expert medical sciences librarian. To identify relevant research, we will conduct searches from the beginning of eCPR in the electronic databases MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE, Social Science Citation Index via Web of Science, Social Science Citation Index Expanded and the Cochrane library. We will also check references of relevant articles and perform a cited reference research (forward citation tracking). The language of articles, which will be included, is restricted to English and German. Owing to the research question, we decided to conduct a broad search, that is, including more specific search terms would, in our case, be associated with a higher risk of missing wrongly indexed studies in the literature.
Table 1.
Search items
| No | Search items (controlled terms) |
| 1 | eCPR |
| 2 | VA ECMO |
| 3 | ECMO cardiac arrest resuscitation |
| 4 | ECLS |
ECLS, extracorporeal life support; ECMO, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; eCPR, extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation;VA, veno arterial.
For database, MEDLINE literature search strategy will be as follows: (eCPR) OR (‘VA ECMO’) OR (‘ECMO cardiac arrest resuscitation’) OR (ECLS).
Review process
Two independent reviewers will screen titles and abstracts, check full texts for eligibility and perform data extraction. We will resolve dissent by consensus moderated by a third reviewer. As known for scoping reviews, the methodology may be adapted minimally during the review process itself in terms of eligibility criteria, study characteristics and outcome variables.20 21 As mentioned in popular literature, which describes the methodology of scoping reviews, risk of bias assessment will not be part of the scoping review process.22 23
Data items
Data extraction tables will be set up in MS Excel including study (eg, first author, DOI) and patients’ characteristics (eg, age, CPR technique, comorbidities, OHCA and IHCA), aim of study, details on eCPR including target perfusion parameters and reported outcomes (table 2). Variables in section No 3 may be extended during the review process, for example, number of organ donation after unsuccessful eCPR, as Ortega-Deballon et al stated this as an important side topic of reanimation.24
Table 2.
Study key characteristics
| Type of information | No | Attribute |
| Study characteristics | 1 | (a) Country of the study, (b) sample size |
| Patient characteristics | 2 | Place of CA: OH/IH |
| Intervention characteristics | 3 | (a) Start of eCPR: OH/IH |
| (b) All perfusion parameters which are used as target parameters during eCPR (Question 1) | ||
| (c) Target values of targeted perfusion parameters, if given (Question 2) | ||
| Information on subsequent exclusion of the study based on intervention characteristics | 4 | (a) Contemption of eligibility criteria |
| (b) Target parameters given but target values missing or target values erroneously given as calculated means of the entire population | ||
| (c) No information given on perfusion parameters in terms of target parameters |
CA, cardiac arrest;eCPR, extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation; IH, in-hospital; OH, out-of-hospital.
Outcomes
Outcome variables are listed in table 3.
Table 3.
Outcome variables
| Type of information | No | Attribute |
| Outcome variable | 1 | (a) Survival rate to hospital discharge (Question 3) |
| (b) Neurological outcome to hospital discharge (Question 3) | ||
| Information on subsequent exclusion of the study based on outcome variables | 2 | (a) No information given on survival rate or neurologic outcome |
| (b) No information given on time frame of survival rate or neurologic outcome, or time frame incomparable to majority of other studies |
Data synthesis
We expect dramatically heterogeneous study characteristics within the field of eCPR. This may express itself both in patient population and eCPR procedure as well as eCPR experience. Therefore, as a first step of our eCPR literature research project, we will summarise the data using tables and figures (ie, bubble plot) to present the research landscape and to describe potential clusters and/or gaps.
Results will be presented in two tables (see above). One table serves for IHCA and one serves for OHCA. In case of an OHCA, eCPR can either be started OH, or IH, if the patient is transported to the hospital under mCPR. Some groups might also change the eCPR regimen after arrival in the hospital. In consequence, the table which presents data for OHCA will be separated into two major columns, which refer to the location of eCPR start. In both tables, studies will be listed chronologically, beginning with the latest publication first. In addition to the tabulated presentation of data, each target parameter will be addressed and discussed in a separate text.
Patient and public involvement
Patients or public will not be involved.
Perspective
If the scoping review provides us with enough study data, we plan a meta-analysis in a second research project to compare efficacy and safety of eCPR in patients with IHCA and OHCA.
Dissemination
We intend to publish the review in a peer-reviewed journal. Besides, we may also present the results on a scientific conference.
Supplementary Material
Footnotes
Contributors: LS is the guarantor and drafted most of the protocol. CS also drafted parts of the protocol and gave substantial information and support for good practice in systematic reviewing. LR supported drafting process. FB and CB contributed as experts for
extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation and provided scientific knowledge. The purpose of developing this review was initiated by CB. All authors read and provided feedback on the final version of the protocol.
Funding: The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Competing interests: FB und CB are shareholder of Resuscitec GmbH.
Patient consent for publication: Not required.
Ethics approval: This study uses only data that have already been published and does not need any ethical approval.
Provenance and peer review: Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.
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