Background
Infectious complications have been shown to increase the morbidity of venous‐venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV‐ECMO) population, including the use of right ventricular assist devices.
Aim
We aimed to evaluate our VV‐ECMO population for ECMO related bloodstream infections (E‐BSI) and characteristics that affect risk and overall outcomes.
Methods
A retrospective chart review of adult patients (>18 years of age)supported with VV ECMO was conducted. Demographic data as well as antimicrobial use and presecence of bacteremia was collected.
Results
We report a low infection rate of 2.7%.
Conclusions
We postulate our low BSI rate may be due to our use of perioperative antimicrobials as well as a majority of our cannulations occurring in the operating room. We do not routinely utilize prophylactic antimicrobials on ECMO. Further investigation into trends, risks, and outcomes related to E‐BSI is needed.
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