Veno‐arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for drug intoxications: A single center, 14‐year experience

Background and Aim of the Study Acute cardiovascular failure remains a leading cause of death in severe poisonings. Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) has been increasingly used as a rescue therapeutic option for those cases refractory to optimal conventional treatment. We sought to evaluate the outcomes after VA-ECMO used for drug intoxications in a single-center experience. Methods We performed an observational analysis of our prospective institutional database. The primary endpoint was survival to hospital discharge. Results Between January 2007 and December 2020, 32 patients (mean age: 45.4 ± 15.8 years; 62.5% female) received VA-ECMO for drug intoxication-induced refractory cardiogenic shock (n = 25) or cardiac arrest (n = 7). Seven (21.8%) patients developed lower limb ischemia during VA-ECMO support. Twenty-six (81.2%) patients were successfully weaned after a mean VA-ECMO support of 2.9 ± 1.3 days. One (3.1%) patient died after VA-ECMO weaning for multiorgan failure and survival to hospital discharge was 78.1% (n = 25). In-hospital survivors were discharged from hospital with a good neurological status. Survival to hospital discharge was not statistically different according to sex (male = 75.0% vs. female = 80.0%; p = .535), type of intoxication (single drug = 81.8% vs. multiple drugs = 76.1%; p = .544) and location of VA-ECMO implantation (within our center = 75% vs. peripheral hospital using our Mobile Unit of Mechanical Circulatory Support = 100%; p = .352). Survival to hospital discharge was significantly lower in patients receiving VA-ECMO during on-going cardiopulmonary resuscitation (42.8% vs. 88.0%; p = .026). Conclusions VA-ECMO appears to be a feasible therapeutic option with a satisfactory survival rate and acceptable complications rate in poisonings complicated by refractory cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest.