Multivariate Analysis of Risk Factor for Mortality and Feasibility of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in High-Risk Thoracic Surgery

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as intraoperative cardiorespiratory support during lung transplantation is well known, but use for other types of surgery are limited. To assess risk factor for mortality after high-risk thoracic surgery and feasibility of ECMO, we reviewed. Methods: This study was an observational study. Between January 2011 and October 2018, 63 patients underwent thoracic surgery with ECMO for severe airway disease, pulmonary insufficiency requiring lung surgery, and other conditions. Results: In all, 46 patients remained alive at 30 days after surgery. The mean patient age was 50.38 ± 16.16 years. ECMO was most commonly used to prevent a lethal event (34 [73.9%]) in the Survival (S) group and rescue intervention (13 [76.5%]) in the Non-survival (N) group. In all, 11 patients experienced arrest during surgery (S vs N: 2 [4.3%] vs 9 [52.9%], p ≤0.001). The multivariate analysis revealed that arrest during surgery (odds ratio [OR], 24.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.82–327.60; p = 0.016) and age (OR, 7.47; 95% CI, 1.17–47.85; p = 0.034) were independently associated with mortality. Conclusions: ECMO provides a safe environment during thoracic surgery, and its complication rate is acceptable except for extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR).