The Early Introduction of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Postcardiotomy Cardiogenic Shock Does Not Improve 30-Day Mortality Rates in Low-Volume Centers

Background and objective Postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock (PCS) is one of the most critical conditions observed in cardiac surgery. Recently, the early initiation of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) has been recommended for PCS patients to ensure end-organ perfusion, especially in high-volume centers. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of earlier initiation of VA-ECMO for PCS in low-volume centers. Methods We retrospectively assessed patients admitted in two of our related facilities from April 2014 to March 2019. The patients who underwent VA-ECMO during peri- or post-cardiac surgery (within 48 hours) were included. We divided the patients into two groups according to the timing of VA-ECMO initiation. In the early initiation of VA-ECMO group, the “early ECMO group,” VA-ECMO was initiated when patients needed high-dose inotropic support with high-dose catecholamines, such as epinephrine, without waiting for PCS recovery. In the late initiation of VA-ECMO group, the “late ECMO group,” VA-ECMO was delayed until PCS was not controlled with high-dose catecholamines, with the intent of avoiding severe bleeding complications. Results A total of 30 patients were included in the analysis (early ECMO group/late ECMO group: 19/11 patients). Thirty-day mortality in the entire cohort was 60% (n=18), and there was no significant difference between the two groups (early ECMO group/late ECMO group: 64%/55%, p=0.712). Thirteen and six patients died without being weaned off in the early ECMO (43%) and late ECMO groups (55%), respectively; there was no significant difference between the two groups (p=0.696). The median duration of ECMO support was five days (IQR: 1.5-6.5). Conclusions The early initiation of ECMO did not contribute to patients’ 30-day outcomes in low-volume centers. To improve outcomes of ECMO therapy in patients with PCS, centralization of low-volume centers may be required.