Feasibility of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cardiopulmonary resuscitation by low volume centers in Belgium

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of delivering extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) in refractory out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) by low volume extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) centers and to explore pre‐ECPR predictors of survival. METHODS: Between 2016 and 2020, we studied 21 ECPR patients admitted in 2 tertiary ECMO centers in Liège, Belgium. Our ECPR protocol was based on 6 prehospital criteria (no flow < 3 minutes, low flow < 60 minutes, initial shockable rhythm, end‐tidal CO(2) > 15 mmHg, age < 65 years, and absence of comorbidities). A dedicated training, prehospital checklist and call number for 24/7 ECMO team assistance were implemented. Hemodynamics and blood gases on admission also were assessed. RESULTS: Twenty‐one (28%) out of 75 refractory OHCA patients referred were treated by ECPR, with a hospital survival rate of 43% (n = 9/21), comparable to ECPR results from the international extracorporeal life support organization registry. Transient return of spontaneous circulation before ECPR (89% in survivors vs 17% in non‐survivors, P = 0.002) and higher initial serum bicarbonate (med [P25‐P75] 14.0 [10.6–15.2] vs 7.5 [3.7–10.5] mmol/L, P = 0.019) or lower initial base deficit (14.9 [11.9–18.2] vs 21.6 [17.9–28.9] mmol/L, P = 0.039) were associated with a more favorable outcome. CONCLUSION: In low volume ECMO centers, the implementation of a specific ECPR protocol for refractory OHCA patients is feasible and provides potential clinical benefit. Highly selective inclusion criteria seem essential to select candidates for ECPR. Initial serum bicarbonate and base deficit integrating cumulative cell failure may be relevant pre‐ECMO prognostic factors and require larger‐scale evaluation.