Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Premature Infants With Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

Tracheal reconstructive surgery under ECMO for the treatment of congenital tracheal stenosis in the premature infant: case report

Background

Congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) is a rare but life-threatening malformation of the trachea. Surgical reconstruction is the treatment of choice in symptomatic cases which is highly risky and is rarely performed in extremely premature infants. With this, reporting a case of CTS managed by tracheal reconstructive surgery under ECMO in a baby weighing 1.47 kg at 32 + 1 WOG was the first ever case in China.

Case presentation

A premature newborn with a very low birth weight (VLBW) was admitted to our institute for breathing difficulties, requiring mechanical ventilation, and experienced two unsuccessful attempts of extubation. The team performed tracheal reconstructive surgery supported by ECMO after identifying lower tracheal stenosis through a bronchoscopy examination. One month after the surgery, oxygen support was able to discontinue. The patient's entire hospitalization was incredibly challenging, marked by hemodynamic instability with persistent anemia, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), which were managed with great care. Despite the difficult stay, a follow-up bronchoscopy revealed no obstruction or tracheal stenosis, leading to a successful discharge.

Conclusion

Advancements in diagnostic techniques and innovative management methods have made diagnosing and treating CTS easier, even in premature infants. Our case is the first in China to successfully undergo tracheal reconstructive surgery supported by ECMO, inspiring future achievements in the medical field.

Expanding neonatal ECMO criteria: When is the premature neonate too premature

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a universally accepted and life-saving therapy for neonates with respiratory or cardiac failure that is refractory to maximal medical management. Early studies found unacceptable risks of mortality and morbidities such as intracranial hemorrhage among premature and low birthweight neonates, leading to widely accepted ECMO inclusion criteria of gestational age ≥34 weeks and birthweight >2 kg. Although contemporary data is lacking, the most recent literature demonstrates increased survival and decreased rates of intracranial hemorrhage in premature neonates who are supported with ECMO. As such, it seems like the right time to push the boundaries of ECMO on a case-by-case basis beginning with neonates 32-34 weeks GA in large volume centers with careful neurodevelopmental follow-up to better inform practices changes on this select population.

Premature and Extracorporeal Life Support: Is it Time? A Systematic Review

Early preterm birth < 34 gestational weeks (GA) and birth weight (BW) <2 kg are relative contraindications for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). However, with improved technology, ECMO is presently managed more safely and with decreasing complications. Thus, these relative contraindications may no longer apply. We performed a systematic review to evaluate the existing literature on ECMO in early and late (34-37 GA) prematurity focusing on survival to hospital discharge and the complication intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). Data sources: MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Database. Only publications in the English language were evaluated. Of the 36 included studies, 23 were related to ECMO support for respiratory failure, 10 for cardiac causes, and four for congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Over the past decades, the frequency of ICH has declined (89-21%); survival has increased in both early prematurity (25-76%), and in CDH (33-75%), with outcome similar to late prematurity (48%). The study was limited by an inherent risk of bias from overlapping single-center and registry data. Both the risk of ICH and death have decreased in prematurely born treated with ECMO. We challenge the 34 week GA time limit for ECMO and propose an international task force to revise current guidelines. At present, gestational age < 34 weeks might no longer be considered a contraindication for ECMO in premature neonates.

A nationwide database analysis of demographics and outcomes related to Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) in congenital diaphragmatic hernia

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to understand the use of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and its outcomes.

METHODS

The 2016 Kid's Inpatient Database (KID) obtained from the national Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) was used to obtain CDH birth, demographic, and outcome data associated with ECMO use. Categorical variables were analyzed and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) are reported for variables found to have significance (p < 0.05). Appropriate regressions were used for comparing categorical and continuous data using SPSS 25 for Macintosh.

RESULTS

The database contained 1189 cases of CDH, of which 133 (11.2%) received ECMO. The overall mortality of neonates with CDH was 18.9% (225/1189). Newborns with CDH on ECMO had a survival of 46% (61/133) compared to 85.5% without ECMO (903/1056) (OR 6.966, p < 0.001, 95% CI 4.756-10.204). ECMO increased length of stay from 24.6 to 69.8 days (OR 2.834, p < 0.001, 95% CI 2.768-2.903) and average cost from $375,002.20 to $1641,586.83 (OR 4.378, p < 0.001, 95% CI 3.341-5.735).

CONCLUSIONS

Increased length of stay, costs, and outcomes with ECMO use in CDH should prompt an examination of criteria necessitating ECMO.

Advances in extracorporeal membrane oxygenator design for artificial placenta technology

Extreme prematurity, defined as a gestational age of fewer than 28 weeks, is a significant health problem worldwide. It carries a high burden of mortality and morbidity, in large part due to the immaturity of the lungs at this stage of development. The standard of care for these patients includes support with mechanical ventilation, which exacerbates lung pathology. Extracorporeal life support (ECLS), also called artificial placenta technology when applied to extremely preterm (EPT) infants, offers an intriguing solution. ECLS involves providing gas exchange via an extracorporeal device, thereby doing the work of the lungs and allowing them to develop without being subjected to injurious mechanical ventilation. While ECLS has been successfully used in respiratory failure in full-term neonates, children, and adults, it has not been applied effectively to the EPT patient population. In this review, we discuss the unique aspects of EPT infants and the challenges of applying ECLS to these patients. In addition, we review recent progress in artificial placenta technology development. We then offer analysis on design considerations for successful engineering of a membrane oxygenator for an artificial placenta circuit. Finally, we examine next-generation oxygenators that might advance the development of artificial placenta devices.

Pediatric and neonatal extracorporeal life support: current state and continuing evolution

The use of extracorporeal life support (ECLS) for the pediatric and neonatal population continues to grow. At the same time, there have been dramatic improvements in the technology and safety of ECLS that have broadened the scope of its application. This article will review the evolving landscape of ECLS, including its expanding indications and shrinking contraindications. It will also describe traditional and hybrid cannulation strategies as well as changes in circuit components such as servo regulation, non-thrombogenic surfaces, and paracorporeal lung-assist devices. Finally, it will outline the modern approach to managing a patient on ECLS, including anticoagulation, sedation, rehabilitation, nutrition, and staffing.

Reconsidering ECMO in Premature Neonates

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life-saving intervention for neonates with respiratory failure or congenital cardiac disease refractory to maximal medical management. Early studies showed high rates of mortality and morbidities among preterm and low birthweight (BW) neonates, leading to widely accepted ECMO inclusion criteria of gestational age (GA) ≥34 weeks and BW >2 kg. In recent years, publications involving neonates of 32-34 weeks GA have reported improved survival and decreased intracranial hemorrhage. As such, ECMO should be considered on a case-by-case basis in premature neonates as long as the risks are understood.