2271. Bacteremia Due to Multi-Drug-Resistant Organisms Is an Independent Risk Factor for Death Among Patients Supported by Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)

BACKGROUND: ECMO is a type of life-support for patients with refractory respiratory and/or cardiac failure. Our objective was to determine the incidence, resistance patterns and risk factors for development of blood stream infections (BSI) in patients receiving ECMO therapy. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of a single intensive care unit. All patients receiving ECMO therapy between 7/1/13 and 4/28/18 were evaluated. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens were defined as non-susceptible to ≥1 agent in ≥3 antimicrobial classes, and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE). RESULTS: 471 patients received ECMO, accounting for 4,739 ECMO days. Thirty-six patients (7.6%) had ≥1 episode of BSI; 47 episodes occurred, resulting in 10 events per 1,000 ECMO days. The most common organisms were Enterobacteriaceae (26%), 33% of which were MDR. Staphylococcus aureus (17%), coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (17%), Enterococcus faecium (11%) and Candida spp. (6%) were also identified. Overall, 20% of BSI were due to MDR bacteria. Median duration of BSI was significantly longer for infections due to VRE (8.5 days), than other organisms (1 day; P = 0.0006). Duration of ECMO (P < 0.0001), continuous renal replacement therapy (P = 0.01), units of blood transfused (P = 0.0001) and end-stage lung disease (ESLD) awaiting transplant (P = 0.004) were risk factors for BSI. Duration of ECMO, units of blood transfused and ESLD were independent risk factors for BSI. VV vs. VA-ECMO or central vs. peripheral cannulation were not significant risk factors. By logistic regression, MDR bacterial BSI was associated with longer duration of ECMO (P = 0.001) and number of units of blood transfused (P = 0.01). 1-year mortality after initiation of ECMO was 48%. Independent risk factors for 1-year mortality were age (P < 0.0001) and BSI due to MDR bacteria (P = 0.049). CONCLUSION: The rate of BSIs during ECMO is relatively low, but these infections are commonly caused by MDR bacteria and associated with high 1-year mortality. Clinicians should consider empiric antibiotic coverage for MDR bacteria in patients with BSI on prolonged ECMO, and in patients on ECMO who received multiple blood transfusions. Since MDR bacterial BSI is an independent risk factor for mortality, future research on preventive strategies are warranted in high-risk ECMO cohorts. DISCLOSURES: All authors: No reported disclosures.