Intensive Care Unit-Acquired Weakness in Patients With Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support: Frequency and Clinical Characteristics

BACKGROUND: Intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) is common in critical illness patients and is well described. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used as a life-saving method and patients with ECMO support often suffer more risk factors of ICU-AW. However, information on the frequency and clinical characteristics of ICU-AW in patients with ECMO support is lacking. Our study aims to clarify the frequency and characteristics of ICU-AW in ECMO patients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study, ICU-AW was diagnosed when patients were discharged with a Medical Research Council (MRC) sum score <48. Clinical information was collected from the case report forms. Univariable analysis, LASSO regression analysis, and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the clinical data of individuals. RESULTS: In ECMO population, 40 (80%) patients diagnosed with ICU-AW. On univariable analysis, the ICU-AW group had higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) [13.9 (6.5–21.3) versus 21.1 (14.3–27.9), p = 0.005], longer deep sedation time [2 (0–7) versus 6.5 (3–11), p = 0.005], longer mechanical ventilation time [6.8 (2.6–9.3) versus 14.3 (6.6–19.3), p = 0.008], lower lowest albumin [26.7 (23.8–29.5) versus 22.1 (18.5–25.7), p < 0.001]. The LASSO analysis showed mechanical ventilation time, deep sedation time, deep sedation time during ECMO operation, APACHE II, and lowest albumin level were independent predictors of ICU-AW. To investigate whether ICU-AW occurs more frequently in the ECMO population, we performed a 1:1 matching with patients without ECMO and found there was no difference in the incidence of ICU-AW between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis of combined cohorts showed lowest albumin odds ratio (OR: 1.9, p = 0.024), deep sedation time (OR: 1.9, p = 0.022), mechanical ventilation time (OR: 2.0, p = 0.034), and APACHE II (OR: 2.3, p = 0.034) were independent risk factors of ICU-AW, but not ECMO. CONCLUSION: The ICU-AW was common with a prevalence of 80% in the ECMO population. Mechanical ventilation time, deep sedation time, deep sedation time during ECMO operation, APACHE II, and lowest albumin level were risk factors of ICU-AW in ECMO population. The ECMO wasn’t an independent risk factor of ICU-AW.