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Background Veno-venous extracorporeal CO 2 removal (vv-ECCO 2 R) and non-invasive neurally adjusted ventilator assist (NIV-NAVA) are two promising techniques which may prevent complications related to prolonged invasive mechanical ventilation in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD. Methods A physiological study of the electrical activity of the diaphragm (Edi) response was conducted with varying degrees of extracorporeal CO 2 removal to control the respiratory drive in patients with severe acute exacerbation of COPD breathing on NIV-NAVA. Results Twenty COPD patients (SAPS II 37 ± 5.6, age 57 ± 9 years) treated with vv-ECCO 2 R and supported by NIV-NAVA were studied during stepwise weaning of vv-ECCO 2 R. Based on dyspnea, tolerance, and blood gases, weaning from vv-ECCO 2 R was successful in 12 and failed in eight patients. Respiratory drive (measured via the Edi) increased to 19 ± 10 μV vs. 56 ± 20 μV in the successful and unsuccessful weaning groups, respectively, resulting in all patients keeping their CO 2 and pH values stable. Edi was the best predictor for vv-ECCO 2 R weaning failure (ROC analysis AUC 0.95), whereas respiratory rate, rapid shallow breathing index, and tidal volume had lower predictive values. Eventually, 19 patients were discharged home, while one patient died. Mortality at 90 days and 180 days was 15 and 25%, respectively. Conclusions This study demonstrates for the first time the usefulness of the Edi signal to monitor and guide patients with severe acute exacerbation of COPD on vv-ECCO 2 R and NIV-NAVA. The Edi during vv-ECCO 2 R weaning was found to be the best predictor of tolerance to removing vv-ECCO 2 R. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13054-019-2404-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background Severe COVID-19 induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) often requires extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Recent German health insurance data revealed low ICU survival rates. Patient characteristics and experience of the ECMO center may determine intensive care unit (ICU) survival. The current study aimed to identify factors affecting ICU survival of COVID-19 ECMO patients. Methods 673 COVID-19 ARDS ECMO patients treated in 26 centers between January 1st 2020 and March 22nd 2021 were included. Data on clinical characteristics, adjunct therapies, complications, and outcome were documented. Block wise logistic regression analysis was applied to identify variables associated with ICU-survival. Results Most patients were between 50 and 70 years of age. PaO2/FiO2 ratio prior to ECMO was 72 mmHg (IQR: 58–99). ICU survival was 31.4%. Survival was significantly lower during the 2nd wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. A subgroup of 284 (42%) patients fulfilling modified EOLIA criteria had a higher survival (38%) (p = 0.0014, OR 0.64 (CI 0.41–0.99)). Survival differed between low, intermediate, and high-volume centers with 20%, 30%, and 38%, respectively (p = 0.0024). Treatment in high volume centers resulted in an odds ratio of 0.55 (CI 0.28–1.02) compared to low volume centers. Additional factors associated with survival were younger age, shorter time between intubation and ECMO initiation, BMI > 35 (compared to < 25), absence of renal replacement therapy or major bleeding/thromboembolic events. Conclusions Structural and patient-related factors, including age, comorbidities and ECMO case volume, determined the survival of COVID-19 ECMO. These factors combined with a more liberal ECMO indication during the 2nd wave may explain the reasonably overall low survival rate. Careful selection of patients and treatment in high volume ECMO centers was associated with higher odds of ICU survival. Trial registration Registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (study ID: DRKS00022964, retrospectively registered, September 7th 2020, https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00022964. Graphical abstract