Intensive Care Network Podcasts

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is an effective therapy to improve outcomes for children who experience cardiopulmonary arrest. Survival after ECLS varies between 60% and 75%. For ECPR survival is lower, with 40% to 50% of children surviving ECPR. After ECPR good neurological outcomes are seen in 40% to 60% of children. This contrasts with adult patients where neurological outcomes after ECPR are poor. Given these findings the American Heart Association has included ECPR in their 2015 guidelines for children who experience an in hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA).  Several modifiable and non-modifiable factors have been identified as influencing outcomes after ECPR. Location (in-hospital versus out-of-hospital[OHCA]) of cardiac arrest as well as pre ECLS CPR duration impact survival. For children, OHCA is generally viewed as a contraindication. However patients who achieve intermittent output during their OHCA may still qualify for ECPR, particularly if they show