Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Patients with Burns, Hero or Futile Medical Care? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background Severely burned patients, particularly when compounded with inhalation injuries, are at high risk for cardiopulmonary failure. Recently, promising studies have stimulated interest in using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a potential therapy for burn patients with refractory cardiac and/or respiratory failure. Several observational studies have been reported, but the findings in these vary. Methods In this study, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis using standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) to elucidate the benefits associated with the use of ECMO in patients with burn and/or inhalation injuries. A literature search using PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library were performed from inception to October 20, 2020. Clinical outcomes in the selected studies were compared. Results 22 studies were included in the final review and analysis. 13 studies with a total of 75 patients were included in SMR quantitative analysis. The overall pooled mortality rate of burn patients receiving ECMO was 48%. The meta-analysis found that the observed mortality was significantly higher than the predicted mortality in patients receiving ECMO, with a pooled SMR of 2.07 (95% CI: 1.04–4.14). However, in the subgroup of burn patients with inhalation injuries, all patients receiving V-V ECMO had lower mortality rates compared to their predicted mortality rates, with a pooled SMR of 0.95 (95% CI: 0.52–1.73). Other subgroup analyses, including an adult group, pediatric group, V-V setting group, and a V-A setting group reported no benefits from ECMO; however, these results were not statistically significant. Interestingly, the pooled SMR values decreased as the selected patients’ revised Baux scores increased (R=-0.92), indicating that the potential benefits from the ECMO treatment increased as the severity of patients with burns increased, especially when the patients’ revised Baux scores exceeded 90. Conclusions Our meta-analysis revealed that burn patients receiving ECMO treatment were at a higher risk of death. However, select patients, including those with inhalation injuries and those with the revised Baux scores over 90, would benefit from ECMO treatment. We suggest that burn patients with inhalation injuries or with revised Baux scores exceeding 90 should be considered for ECMO treatment and early transfer to an ECMO centre.