Predictors of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support after surgery for adult congenital heart disease in children's hospitals

Health Disparities in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Utilization and Outcomes: A Scoping Review and Methodologic Critique of the Literature

OBJECTIVES

To map the scope, methodological rigor, quality, and direction of associations between social determinants of health (SDoH) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) utilization or outcomes.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched for citations from January 2000 to January 2023, examining socioeconomic status (SES), race, ethnicity, hospital and ECMO program characteristics, transport, and geographic location (context) with utilization and outcomes (concept) in ECMO patients (population).

STUDY SELECTION

Methodology followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses scoping review extension. Two reviewers independently evaluated abstracts and full text of identified publications. Exclusion criteria included non-English, unavailable, less than 40 patients, and periprocedural or mixed mechanical support.

DATA EXTRACTION

Content analysis used a standardized data extraction tool and inductive thematic analysis for author-proposed mediators of disparities. Risk of bias was assessed using the Quality in Prognosis Studies tool.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Of 8,214 citations screened, 219 studies were identified. Primary analysis focuses on 148 (68%) including race/ethnicity/SES/payer variables including investigation of ECMO outcomes 114 (77%) and utilization 43 (29%). SDoH were the primary predictor in 15 (10%). Overall quality and methodologic rigor was poor with advanced statistics in 7%. Direction of associations between ECMO outcomes or utilization according to race, ethnicity, SES, or payer varied. In 38% adverse outcomes or lower use was reported in underrepresented, under-resourced or diverse populations, while improved outcomes or greater use were observed in these populations in 7%, and 55% had no statistically significant result. Only 26 studies (18%) discussed mechanistic drivers of disparities, primarily focusing on individual- and hospital-level rather than systemic/structural factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Associations between ECMO utilization and outcomes with SDoH are inconsistent, complicated by population heterogeneity and analytic shortcomings with limited consideration of systemic contributors. Findings and research gaps have implications for measuring, analyzing, and interpreting SDoH in ECMO research and healthcare.

Outcomes of Adults with Congenital Heart Disease Supported with Extracorporeal Life Support After Cardiac Surgery

Patients with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) who undergo cardiac surgery may require extracorporeal life support (ECLS) for cardiopulmonary support, but outcomes after ECLS support have not been well described. This study aimed to identify risk factors for ECLS mortality in this population. We identified 368 ACHD patients who received ECLS after cardiac surgery between 1994 and 2016 in the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) database, a multicenter international registry of ECLS centers. Risk factors for mortality were assessed using multivariate logistic regression. Overall mortality was 61%. In a multivariate model using precannulation characteristics, Fontan physiology (odds ratio [OR]: 5.7; 95% CI: 1.6-20.0), weight over 100 kg (OR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.3-5.4), female gender (OR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.001-2.6), delayed ECLS cannulation (OR: 2.0; 95% CI: 1.2-3.2), and neuromuscular blockade (OR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1-3.3) were associated with increased mortality. Adding postcannulation characteristics to the model, renal complications (OR: 3.0; 95% CI: 1.7-5.2), neurologic complications (OR, 4.7; 95% CI: 1.5-15.2), and pulmonary hemorrhage (OR: 6.4; 95% CI: 1.3-33.2) were associated with increased mortality, whereas Fontan physiology was no longer associated, suggesting the association of Fontan physiology with mortality may be mediated by complications. Fontan physiology was also a risk factor for neurologic complications (OR: 8.2; 95% CI: 3.3-20.9). Given the rapid increase in ECLS use, understanding risk factors for ACHD patients receiving ECLS after cardiac surgery will aid clinicians in decision-making and preoperative planning.