Predictors of membrane oxygenator failure in pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Abstract

BackgroundVeno‐arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V‐A ECMO) is increasingly utilized in pediatric patients. Failure to recognize membrane oxygenator failure can lead to critical complications due to rapid deterioration of membrane oxygenator function. Therefore, identifying the predictors for membrane oxygenator exchange is crucial. However, risk factors for membrane oxygenator exchange in pediatric V‐A ECMO remain unclear; therefore, this study aimed to evaluate these risk factors.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study enrolled all pediatric patients aged <18 years who received V‐A ECMO between August 2018 and July 2023 at a tertiary‐care pediatric hospital in Japan. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the predictors of membrane oxygenator failure within 72 h after initiation.ResultsDuring the study period, membrane oxygenator failure occurred in 18/55 (32.7%) children within 72 h; membrane oxygenator failure within 72 h occurred in 4/29 (13.8%) and 14/26 (53.8%) in the groups with ratio of blood flow divided by the blood flow limit of the membrane oxygenator (B/L) of <0.5 and ≥0.5, respectively (adjusted hazards ratio, 4.97 [95% confidence interval, 1.33–18.5]; p = 0.017). After adjusting for delta pressure of the oxygenator, an increase in body weight and aspartate aminotransferase levels were associated with an increase in early membrane oxygenator failure.ConclusionsThis retrospective study demonstrated that a B/L ratio >0.5, an increase in body weight, and elevated aspartate aminotransferase were independent risk factors for early membrane oxygenator failure in pediatric V‐A ECMO. However, a prospective multicenter study with an appropriate sample size is warranted to mitigate potential bias, and enhance generalizability for further investigation of the association between a B/L ratio and early membrane oxygenator failure.