Early computed tomography after extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation on in-hospital survival: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: The role of computed tomography (CT) scans after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) implantation in patients with refractory cardiac arrest has not been frequently investigated. Early CT scan findings may have many meaningful findings and contribute significantly to patients’ outcome. In this study, we sought to determine whether early CT scans in such patients indirectly improved in-hospital survival. METHODS: A computerized search of the electronic medical records systems of 2 ECMO centers was conducted. A total of 132 patients who had undergone extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) between September 2014 and January 2022 were included in the analysis. The patients were divided into 2 groups based on whether they underwent early CT scans (the treatment group) or did not undergo early CT scans (the control group). The findings of early CT scans and in-hospital survival were investigated. RESULTS: A total of 132 patients had undergone ECPR with 71 were male, 61were female and mean age: 48.0±14.3 years. Early CT scans did not improve patient’s in-hospital survival [hazard ratio (HR): 0.705; P=0.357]. Overall, a smaller proportion of patients survived in the treatment group (22.5%) than the control group (42.6%; P=0.013). In total, 90 patients were matched in terms of age, initial shockable rhythm, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) duration, ECMO duration, percutaneous coronary intervention, and cardiac arrest location. In the matched cohort, fewer patients survived in the treatment group (28.9%) than the control group (37.8%; P=0.371), but the difference was not significant. According to a log-rank test, in-hospital survival did not differ significantly before and after matching (P=0.69, and P=0.63, respectively). Thirteen patients (18.3%) had complications during transportation, among which a drop in blood pressure was the most common. CONCLUSIONS: The in-hospital survival rate between treatment and control group was not different, however, early CT scan after ECPR could help clinicians to gain important information to guide clinical practice.