Hypothermic patients may be rewarmed using passive or active techniques. In case of severe accidental hypothermia (temperature<28°C) and stage III/IV according to the Swiss Staging System, standard methods might not be effective and aggressive treatment is needed. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has proved to be both effective and safe in such cases. The Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, John Paul II Hospital, Cracow, Poland, established the Severe Accidental Hypothermia Center, which provides 24 h on-call to consult and accept patients who need ECMO implantation for profound hypothermia rewarming. Our center is so far the only one in Poland and can accept patients from south-east Poland. Most importantly, it collaborates with all prehospital medical services, namely, with 115 Ambulances, Polish Medical Air Rescue, Mountain Rescue Services, and all 28 Emergency Departments in the area. Severe Accidental Hypothermia Center is a solution for advanced treatment of patients with accidental hypothermia requiring ECMO implantation.
BackgroundThe prognosis in hypothermic cardiac arrest is frequently good despite prolonged period of hypoperfusion and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Apart from protective effect of hypothermia itself established protocols of treatment and novel rewarming techniques may influence on outcome.The purpose of the study was to assess the outcome of patients with hypothermic circulatory arrest treated by means of arterio-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) according to locally elaborated protocol in Severe Accidental Hypothermia Center in Cracow, Poland.MethodsProspective observational case-series study – all patients with confirmed hypothermic cardiac arrest consulted with hypothermia coordinator were accepted for extracorporeal rewarming, unless contraindications for ECMO were observed (active bleeding).ResultsThe study population consisted of 10 patients (7 male, median age 48.5 years). The core temperature measured esophageally was 16.9–28.4 °C, median 22 °C. On admission 5 patients presented with asystole and 5 with ventricular fibrillation. Duration of circulatory arrest before ECMO implantation was 107 to 345 min (median 156 min). The duration of ECMO support was 1.5 to 91 h (median 22 h). Cardiorespiratory stability and full neurologic recovery was achieved in 7 patients. The duration of mechanical ventilation was 88–437 h (median 177 h) and the length of stay in the ICU was 8–26 days (median 15 days). All survivors had mildly impaired (1 patient, LVEF 40 %) or preserved (6 patients, LVEF 55–65 %) left ventricular systolic function at the time of discharge from ICU. The cause of death of non-survivors (three patients) was acute myocarditis, massive retroperitoneal bleeding, and massive gastrointestinal bleeding.Discussion and ConclusionsOur data confirm the high survival rate (70 %) and excellent neurologic outcome in hypothermic cardiac arrest. The following key elements seem to impact the final prognosis: the appropriate coordination of the rescue operation, immediate high-quality CPR (preferably using mechanical chest compression system) and application of ECMO for rewarming and cardiorespiratory support.
IntroductionAccidental hypothermia is a condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Hypothermia has been reported to affect left ventricular systolic and diastolic function. However, most of the data come from animal experimental studies.Aim of the studyThe purpose of the present study was to assess the impact of severe accidental hypothermia on systolic and diastolic ventricular function in patients treated using veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).MethodsWe prospectively assessed nine hypothermic patients (8 male, age 25–78 years) who were transferred to the Severe Accidental Hypothermia Center and treated with ECMO. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed on admission (in patients without cardiac arrest) and on discharge from ICU after achieving cardiovascular stability. Cardiorespiratory stability and full neurologic recovery was achieved in all patients.ResultsBiomarkers of myocardial damage (CK, CKMB, hsTnT) were significantly elevated in all study patients. Admission echocardiography performed in patients in sinus rhythm, revealed moderate-severe bi-ventricular systolic dysfunction and moderate bi-ventricular diastolic dysfunction. Discharge echocardiography showed persistent mild bi-ventricular diastolic dysfunction, although systolic function of both ventricles returned to normal. Discharge echocardiography in patients admitted with cardiac arrest showed normal (5 patients) or moderately impaired (1 patient) global LV systolic function on discharge. However, mild or moderate LV diastolic dysfunction was observed in all 6 patients. Discharge RV systolic function was normal, whereas mild RV diastolic dysfunction was present in these patients.ConclusionAfter severe accidental hypothermia bi-ventricular diastolic dysfunction persists despite systolic function recovery in survivors treated with ECMO.
BackgroundRecently, veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) has become the rewarming treatment of choice in hypothermic cardiac arrest. The detailed indications for extracorporeal rewarming in non-arrested, severely hypothermic patients with circulatory instability have not been established yet. The primary purpose of the study was a preliminary analysis of all aspects of the treatment process, as well as initial identification of mortality risk factors within the group of severely hypothermic patients, treated with arteriovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). The secondary aim of the study was to evaluate efficacy of VA-ECMO in initial 6-h period of treatmentMethodsFrom July 2013 to June 2016, thirty one hypothermic patients were accepted for extracorporeal rewarming at Severe Accidental Hypothermia Center, Cracow. Thirteen patients were identified with circulatory instability and were enrolled in the study. The evaluation took into account patients’ condition on admission, the course of therapy, and changes in laboratory and hemodynamic parameters.ResultsNine out of 13 analyzed patients survived (69%). Patients who died were older, had lower both systolic and diastolic pressure, and had increased creatinine an potassium levels on admission. In surviving patients, arterial blood gases parameters (pH, BE, HCO3) and lactates would normalize more quickly. Their potassium level was lower on admission as well. The values of the core temperature on admission were comparable. Although normothermia was achieved in 92% of patients, none of them had been weaned-off VA-ECMO in the first 6 h of treatment.Discussion and ConclusionsIn our preliminary study more pronounced markers of cardiocirculatory instability and organ hypoperfusion were observed in non-survivors. Future studies on indications to extracorporeal rewarming in severely hypothermic, non-arrested patients should focus on the extent of hemodynamic disturbances. Short term (<6 h) treatment in severe hypothermic, non-arrested patients seems to be not clinically appropriate.
The incidence of accidental hypothermia (core temperature ≤35 ℃) is difficult to estimate, as the affected population is heterogeneous. Both temperature and clinical presentation should be considered while determining severity, which is difficult in a prehospital setting. Extracorporeal rewarming is advocated for all Swiss Staging System class IV (hypothermic cardiac arrest) and class III (hypothermic cardiac instability) patients. Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is the method of choice, as it not only allows a gradual, controlled increase of core body temperature, but also provides respiratory and hemodynamic support during the unstable period of rewarming and reperfusion. This poses difficulties with the coordination of patient management, as usually only cardiac referral centers can deliver such advanced treatment. Further special considerations apply to subgroups of patients, including drowning or avalanche victims. The principle of ECMO implantation in severely hypothermic patients is no different from any other indication, although establishing vascular access in a timely manner during ongoing resuscitation and maintaining adequate flow may require modification of the operating technique, as well as aggressive fluid resuscitation. Further studies are needed in order to determine the optimal rewarming rate and flow that would favor brain and lung protection. Recent analysis shows an overall survival rate of 40.3%, while additional prognostic factors are being sought for determining those patients in whom the treatment is futile. New cannulas, along with ready-to-use ECMO sets, are being developed that would enable easy, safe and efficient out-reach ECMO implantation, thus shortening resuscitation times. Moreover, national guidelines for the management of accidental hypothermia are needed in order that all patients that would benefit from extracorporeal rewarming would be provided with such treatment. In this perspective article, we discuss burning problems in ECMO therapy in hypothermic patients, outlining the important research goals to improve the outcomes.
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