Cost analysis of miniaturized ECMO in H1N1-related ARDS managed by a single caregiver

Hemoglobin trigger and approach to red blood cell transfusions during veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: the international TRAIN-ECMO survey

INTRODUCTION

Optimal red blood cell transfusion practice during veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) is still under debate. This survey aimed to assess the Hb trigger (also comparing with other critically ill patients) and major physiologic determinants considered for transfusions during veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

METHODS

Voluntary Web-based survey, endorsed by the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine, conducted among VV ECMO pratictioners worldwide.

RESULTS

A total of 447 respondents worldwide answered the questionnaire: 277 (61.9%) from Europe, 99 (22.1%) from North America, 36 (8.2%) from Asia and Oceania, and 35 (7.8%) from Central and South America. Among the respondents, 59.2% managed less than 12 venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation runs/year, 19.4% between 12 and 24 runs/year, and 21.4% more than 24 runs/year. Of the respondents, 54.4% do not use a predefined Hb trigger in veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and, while the rate of adoption of a defined trigger varied worldwide, the effective value of Hb did not differ significantly among macro-regions. In patients on veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, the Hb trigger to initiate red blood cell transfusion, was higher than in other critically ill patients: 9.1 ± 1.8 g/dL versus 8.3 ± 1.7 g/dL, p < 0.01. The Hb trigger was lower in centers with more than 24 venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation runs/year (8.4 mg/dL (95% CI: 7.7-8.9)); (8.9 mg/dL (95% CI: 8.2-9.7)) in centers with between 12 and 24 venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation runs/year; and (9.6 mg/dL (95% CI: 9.1-10.0)) in centers with fewer than 12 venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation runs/year (p < 0.01). Several and variable adjunctive parameters are considered in cases of uncertainty for transfusion: the principal are hemodynamic status, SvO2, lactates, and fluid balance.

CONCLUSION

Although the use of a predefined Hb trigger is still under-adopted among centers with low or median extracorporeal membrane oxygenation case volume, the majority of respondents use a higher Hb trigger for veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients compared with other critically ill patients. Higher volume centers tolerate lower Hb levels.

Impact of cannula design on packed red blood cell transfusions: technical advancement to improve outcomes in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Background

Technological improvement has contributed to making veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) safer and easier, spreading its use in acute respiratory failure (ARF).

Methods

This is a retrospective observational study carried out in the ECMO center at IRCCS-ISMETT, a medical center focused on end-stage organ failure treatment in Italy. We investigated the effect of different cannula designs on the amount of blood product transfused. Eighty-nine consecutive patients affected with ARF on VV-ECMO from 2008 to 2016 were compared according to type of cannulation: older percutaneous cannula (Standard group, 52 patients) and HLS^© BIOLINE-coated, but with shorter drainage cannula (BIOLINE group, 37 patients).

Results

The two study groups were comparable in terms of baseline characteristics [age, body mass index (BMI), Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS-II), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), Predicting Death For Severe ARDS on VV-ECMO (PRESERVE) score] and ECMO management [median hematocrit (Htc), platelet nadir, antithrombin III (AT III), heparin, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT)]. In the BIOLINE group, a lower amount of packed red blood cells (pRBC) was transfused considering both total number [4 units, interquartile range (IQR) 1-9 vs. 12 units, IQR 5.5-21; P<0.01] and mL of pRBC/day of ECMO support (91, IQR 21-158 vs. 193.5, IQR 140.5-254; P<0.01). In the BIOLINE group, a trend in reduction of ECMO days (P=0.05) and length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay was found (P=0.06), but no differences in rates of ECMO weaning and ICU discharge were evidenced. The BIOLINE group constituted a saving of €1,295.20 per patient/treatment, counting the costs for cannulation and pRBC administration.

Conclusions

More biocompatible and shorter drainage cannula may represent one of the contributing factors to a reduction in transfusions and costs of VV-ECMO in the current ongoing technological improvement in ECMO.

Cost-utility of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation rewarming in accidentally hypothermic patients-A single-centre retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has become the treatment of choice for severely hypothermic patients in cardiac arrest or acute cardiac failure. Highly specialized ECMO centres have been established, however, no centre has ever reported the costs of extracorporeal rewarming. The aim of this study was to assess the costs of the treatment of patients in Swiss Stage III and IV rewarmed with veno-arterial ECMO.

METHODS

A retrospective exploratory cohort study analysed twenty-nine consecutive patients treated for hypothermia in the Severe Accidental Hypothermia Centre in Cracow, Poland. The main outcome parameters were the overall and specific costs of the ICU treatment of patients rewarmed with veno-arterial ECMO. The secondary outcome parameter was cost utility, determined by the costs involved for every year of life gained. Costs were processed using the bottom-up method and classified into six categories. Survivors were followed up after 1 year.

RESULTS

The mean cost of VA-ECMO was $5133 USD, which equalled 35% of all ICU expenditures ($14 668 USD). One year after discharge, 13 of 29 patients were still alive (45%). The overall gain of life of the thirteen 1-year survivors was 28 years, while the mean cost related to treatment with VA-ECMO for each year of life gained was 1138 USD.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, the costs of VA-ECMO rewarming and intensive care treatment per patient were substantially lower than in other studies reporting ECMO and intensive care treatment of other causes.

PaO2/FiO2 Deterioration During Stable Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Associates With Protracted Recovery and Increased Mortality in Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

BACKGROUND

During extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), arterial oxygen partial pressure to fractional inspired oxygen (PaO₂/FiO₂; PF ratio reflects native and artificial lung blood oxygenation). In this study we analyzed PF ratio during ECMO support and its association with clinical outcome.

METHODS

This was a single-center observational study of adult patients (n = 81) undergoing veno-venous ECMO support for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome.

RESULTS

In 37 patients (46%) PF ratio decreased from ECMO-day 1 to ECMO-day 7 (PF ratio deterioration [PF-d]; -37 ± 6.1 mm Hg), whereas in 44 patients PF ratio improved (PF-i; 65 ± 10.8 mm Hg). PF-d group required prolonged ECMO (median 21 days [interquartile range (IQR)]:14-35 days] versus 13 days [IQR: 10-20 days]) and invasive mechanical ventilation (median 33 days [IQR: 24-52 days] versus 26 days [IQR: 22-34 days]), longer intensive care unit (median 44 days [IQR: 32-74 days] versus 30 days [IQR: 25-47 days]), and hospital (median 66 days [IQR: 39-95 days] versus 36 days [IQR: 28-54 days]) lengths of stay, with higher hospital mortality rates (48.7% versus 22.7%). ECMO oxygenation did not explain PF ratio variation that remained stable in PF-d and decreased in PF-i (198 ± 12.7 mL/min versus 171 ± 8.8 mL/min). Pre-ECMO PF ratio, neuromuscular blockade, and prone position, as well as ventilatory variables did not differ between groups. The PF-d group was older (49 ± 2.1 years versus 41 ± 1.8 years) and presented lower Respiratory Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Survival Prediction (RESP) scores (0.57 ± 0.63 versus 2.2 ± 0.52). With the use of logistic regression, PF ratio variation remained an independent predictor of hospital mortality after adjusting for age or RESP score.

CONCLUSIONS

In severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, PF ratio deterioration during stable ECMO associates with protracted recovery and increased mortality, not accounted for by patient baseline characteristics, acute respiratory distress syndrome severity, or pre-ECMO management.

Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for patients in shock or cardiac arrest secondary to cardiotoxicant poisoning: a cost-effectiveness analysis

PURPOSE

Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation represents an emerging and recommended option to treat life-threatening cardiotoxicant poisoning. The objective of this cost-effectiveness analysis was to estimate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of using venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for adults in cardiotoxicant-induced shock or cardiac arrest compared with standard care.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Adults in shock or in cardiac arrest secondary to cardiotoxicant poisoning were studied with a lifetime horizon and a societal perspective. Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cost effectiveness was calculated using a decision analysis tree, with the effect of the intervention and the probabilities used in the model taken from an observational study representing the highest level of evidence available. The costs (2013 Canadian dollars, where $1.00 Canadian = $0.9562 US dollars) were documented with interviews, reviews of official provincial documents, or published articles. A series of one-way sensitivity analyses and a probabilistic sensitivity analysis using Monte Carlo simulation were used to evaluate uncertainty in the decision model.

RESULTS

The cost per life year (LY) gained in the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation group was $145 931/18 LY compared with $88 450/10 LY in the non-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation group. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio ($7185/LY but $34 311/LY using a more pessimistic approach) was mainly influenced by the probability of survival. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis identified variability in both cost and effectiveness.

CONCLUSION

Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation may be cost effective in treating cardiotoxicant poisonings.