Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Indian Scenario: A Web-based Survey

BACKGROUND: Practice and knowledge of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) in an Indian setting is not known. The etiology could be multifactorial, such as lack of awareness, lack of facilities, and lack of finances. Unless we identify and rectify the underlying problems, utilization of this aspect of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support would be difficult. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study was done over 6 months in three phases: (A) Formation of questionnaire/tool kit by Delphi method for 1 month (July 2019), (B) circulation of questionnaire to participants in the form of Google Forms and data collection for 2 months (August and October 2019), and (C) analysis, compilation of data, and writing the final report over 1 month (November 2019). RESULTS: Sixty-four participants responded. The majority of the respondents were intensivists (50%). Only six respondents (9.5%) had done ECPR at their center with median ECPRs per year of 2 (1–10). All ECPRs were being done in private sector hospitals. The most common indication for initiation was conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for more than 10 minutes without return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC)(n = 4, 66%). In all cases, the intensivists took decision for the initiation of ECPR. The rest 57 did not have the experience of ECPR at their center due to lack of equipment and experience (50%) and financial issues (50%). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: There is a huge need to increase the awareness of the ECPR program and teams to be trained in India. We also suggest that the tertiary care medical institutions in public sector as well as the private sector that is offering critical care courses should train fellows on ECPR to employ it at times when needed to improve the outcomes of critically ill patients. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Gulla K M, Sahoo T, Pooboni S K, et al. Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Indian Scenario: A Web-based Survey. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(6):675–679.