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OBJECTIVES: Stroke is commonly reported in patients receiving venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, but risk factors are not well described. We sought to determine preextracorporeal membrane oxygenation and on-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation risk factors for both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes in patients with venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: Data reported to the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization by 366 extracorporeal membrane oxygenation centers from 2013 to 2019. PATIENTS: Patients older than 18 years supported with a single run of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of 15,872 venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients, 812 (5.1%) had at least one type of acute brain injury, defined as ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, or brain death. Overall, 215 (1.4%) experienced ischemic stroke and 484 (3.1%) experienced hemorrhagic stroke. Overall inhospital mortality was 36%, but rates were higher in those with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke (68% and 73%, respectively). In multivariable analysis, preextracorporeal membrane oxygenation pH (adjusted odds ratio = 0.10; 95% CI, 0.03–0.35; p < 0.001), hemolysis (adjusted odds ratio = 2.27; 95% CI, 1.22–4.24; p = 0.010), gastrointestinal hemorrhage (adjusted odds ratio = 2.01; 95% CI 1.12–3.59; p = 0.019), and disseminated intravascular coagulation (adjusted odds ratio = 3.61; 95% CI, 1.51–8.66; p = 0.004) were independently associated with ischemic stroke. Pre-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation pH (adjusted odds ratio = 0.28; 95% CI, 0.12–0.65; p = 0.003), preextracorporeal membrane oxygenation Po 2 (adjusted odds ratio = 0.96; 95% CI, 0.93–0.99; p = 0.021), gastrointestinal hemorrhage (adjusted odds ratio = 1.70; 95% CI, 1.15–2.51; p = 0.008), and renal replacement therapy (adjusted odds ratio=1.57; 95% CI, 1.22–2.02; p < 0.001) were independently associated with hemorrhagic stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Among venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients in the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization registry, approximately 5% had acute brain injury. Mortality rates increased two-fold when ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes occurred. Risk factors such as lower pH and hypoxemia during the pericannulation period and markers of coagulation disturbances were associated with acute brain injury. Further research on understanding preextracorporeal membrane oxygenation and on-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation risk factors and the timing of acute brain injury is necessary to develop appropriate prevention and management strategies.

Objectives: Although acute brain injury (ABI) is common in patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), little is known regarding the mechanism and predictors of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. We aimed to determine the risk factors and outcomes of each ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke in patients with venoarterial (VA)-ECMO support.Design: Retrospective analysis.Setting: Data reported to the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization by 310 extracorporeal membrane oxygenation centers from 2013 to 2017.Patients: Patients more than 18 years old supported with a single run of VA-ECMO. Interventions: None.Measurements and Main Results: Of 10,342 V-A ECMO patients, 401 (3.9%) experienced ischemic stroke and 229 (2.2%) experienced hemorrhagic stroke.

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Right ventricular failure (RVF) following left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation remains a major complication which may significantly impair patient outcome. The genesis of RVF is, however, multifactorial, and the mechanisms underlying such a condition have not been fully elucidated, making its prevention challenging and the course not always predictable. Although preoperative risks factors can be associated with RV impairment, the physiologic changes after the LV support, can still hamper the function of the RV. Current medical treatment options are limited and sometimes, patients with a severe post-LVAD RVF may be unresponsive to pharmacological therapy and require more aggressive treatment, such as temporary RV support. We retrieved 11 publications which we assessed and divided in groups based on the RV support [extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), right ventricular assist device (RVAD), TandemHeart with ProtekDuo cannula]. The current review comprehensively summarizes the main studies of the literature with particular attention to the RV physiology and its changes after the LVAD implantation, the predictors and prognostic score as well as the different modalities of temporary mechanical cardiocirculatory support, and its effects on patient prognosis for RVF in such a setting. In addition, it provides a decision making of the pre-, intra and post-operative management in high-and moderate-risk patients.