Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Interfacility Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Transfer Based on Cannulation Location and Mode of Transport.

UNLABELLED

As the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) expands, so has the need for interfacility transfer to ECMO centers. However, the impact of these transfers has not been fully studied. This study evaluates complications and inhospital mortality in adult patients treated with venovenous (V-V) ECMO based on institutional location of cannulation and mode of transport.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Large midwestern ECMO center.

PATIENTS

Adult patients receiving VV-ECMO.

INTERVENTIONS

Need for transfer to ECMO center following VV-ECMO cannulation.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The study included 102 adult patients, 57% of which were cannulated at an outside institution prior to transfer. Of these, 60% were transported by ground, and the remainder were transported by air. Risk-adjusted logistic regression did not reveal any significant increase in odds for any complication or inhospital mortality between the groups based on location of cannulation or mode of transport.

CONCLUSIONS

This study supports the practice of interfacility ECMO transfer with no difference in outcomes or inhospital mortality based on institutional location of cannulation or mode of transport.