ECMO in Cardiogenic Shock: Time Course of Blood Biomarkers and Associated Mortality

Background: Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (va-ECMO) is a temporary life support for severe cardiogenic shock, gaining time for organ recovery, permanent assistance, or transplantation. In this work, we aimed to investigate the trends of blood biomarkers over the period of ECMO support and their role in patient outcome. Methods: This retrospective study comprised patients receiving va-ECMO support over the period of 14 years at a tertiary university center. Results: Of 435 patients, 62% (268/435) survived to discharge, and the most frequent adverse event was hemorrhage (46%), followed by thrombosis (25%). Deceased patients had increased blood levels of C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and white blood cells during the whole observation period, with higher peaks compared with survivors. The multivariable model identified hemorrhage (HR 1.73, p = 0.005) and higher levels of procalcitonin (HR 1.01, p = 0.001) as independent risk factors for death. Conclusions: In our population of critically ill patients receiving va-ECMO support, deceased patients had increased inflammatory biomarkers during the whole observation period. Patients having higher values of procalcitonin and experiencing bleeding events showed an increased risk for mortality. Further studies focusing on inflammation in ECMO patients, clarifying its role in patient outcome and potential therapeutic interventions, are warranted.